This event causes rocks to break down into smaller pieces.
What is weathering and erosion?
100
This theory states that the Earth's outer layer is broken into pieces that move around slowly over the surface.
What is plate tectonics?
200
This layer is the second from the center of the Earth. It contains liquid iron and nickle and causes the Earth's magnetic field.
What is the outer core?
200
This is the measure of how much mass there is in a given volume.
What is density?
200
This is a type of heat transfer that can be felt when sitting in front of a camp fire.
What is radiation?
200
Geologic events that happen under the surface of the crust are known as _______ events.
What is a subsurface event?
200
When a substance cools, it sinks. This happens because:
The molecules become more dense and gravity pulls them down.
300
This layer contains 3 smaller layers inside of it. This is where convection currents are most often found.
What is the mantle?
300
These occur when earthquakes send waves through rocks. Geologists use these to indirectly study Earth's interior.
What are seismic waves?
300
These are the layers in the Earth where we find convection currents occurring.
What are the mantle and the outer core?
300
List 3 agents of water erosion.
Options:
Rain, Hail, Snow, Waves, Glaciers, Rivers (currents), Sleet, etc.
300
This layer of the Earth has a peculiar texture: it can bend, but it still solid. If you kicked it, you would stub your toe.
What is the asthenosphere?
400
These are the two main types of rock that makes up the crust. One is dark and fine-grained. The other is light and has course grains. What are they and which is which?
What is basalt (dark, fine-grained) and granite (light, course grains)?
400
This is a the type of heat transfer that occurs when an object comes into direct contact with a heat source and heat is passed from the source to the object.
What is conduction?
400
When substances are heated, their molecules become _______ dense.
What is less?
400
Through the rock cycle, explain how sediment could be transformed into magma.
sediment -> sedimentary rock -> subduction ->magma
sediment -> erosion -> river -> compaction -> subduction -> magma
etc. many answers can be accepted
400
The inner core of the Earth is solid, even though it is the hottest layer. This is because of _______.
What is pressure?
500
What are the three main reasons for the intense heat inside of the Earth?
What is 1) pressure squeezing rocks
2) Breakdown of radioactive substances releasing heat
3) residual heat left over from Earth's formation
500
This is the heating and cooling of a fluid that results in a cycle being started. If the heat is stopped, the cycle stops.
What is a convection current?
500
What are the 3 things that have to happen to start a convection current?
1) heating and cooling of a fluid
2) change in density
3) gravity
500
The theory of plate tectonics helps geologists understand how the Tibetan Plateau was formed. Explain.
When plates collide, sometimes one plate will fall below the other causing rocks to pile up in the middle. This is one way mountains can form.
500
In some cases igneous rock can transform into metamorphic rock. This occurs by... (you could have several different paths, just choose one)
igneous -> erosion, sediment -> compaction, sedimentary rock -> heat and pressure -> metamorphic rock.
Many answers are acceptable.