Earth Systems
Explain the theory of Plate Tectonics.
The idea that Earth's outer shell is divided into large plates that move and interact, shaping Earth's surface over time.
34% Clay, 49% Sand...
(__% Silt)
17% Silt
IPM Stands for...
Integrated Pest Management
The most expensive type of irrigation is...
Drip irrigation
This industrial agricultural practice involves growing a single crop over a large area, leading to soil nutrient depletion and increased pesticide use.
Monoculture
Explain the difference between Chemical and Physical weathering.
(+50 pts if an example is given for each)
Chemical --> breakdown of rocks through chemical changes, such as rusting or dissolving in acidic rain
Physical --> breaking down rocks into smaller pieces by physical forces like temperature changes, wind, or water
Which is more turbid: 12 cm or 30 cm?
12 cm
The overuse of pesticides can lead to this problem, where pests develop the ability to survive chemical treatments.
The best type of soil to grow is...
Loam
Excessive irrigation in arid regions can cause this problem, where mineral buildup in the soil reduces plant growth.
Salinization
Mariana Trench is located south of...
Japan
The Horizon rich in minerals and organic material is...
(+50 if the nickname for it is guessed)
A-Horizon
Topsoil
FIFRA stands for...
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act*
This dark, organic material in soil is formed from decomposed plant and animal matter.
Humus
A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 10 years. If you start with 100 grams, how much remains after 30 years?
(-100 pts if paper is needed)
12.5 grams
How are metamorphic rocks formed?
When existing rocks are changed by heat and pressure without melting.
Explain the difference between porosity and permeability.
Which type of soil is the most porous?
Which type of soil is the most permeable?
Porosity --> The amount of empty space (pores) within a material, such as soil or rock, that can hold water or air. (CLAY)
Permeability --> The ability of a material to allow fluids (like water) to flow through it, depending on the size and connectivity of its pores. (SAND)
Name 3 ideal pesticide characters.
(Bonus: +50 pts for every other one named. You can only get a maximum of 100 bonus pts)
- Effective Control
- Selective
- Non-Toxic to Humans and Animals
- Biodegradable
- No Residue Buildup
- Resistance Management
- Cost-Effective
- Easy Application
- Weather-Resistant
- Environmentally Friendly
This genetically modified crop, engineered to resist pests and herbicides, is commonly grown in the U.S.
GMO Corn
A sample of a radioactive substance originally had 160g, but now only 10g remains after 24 years. What is its half-life?
(-200 pts if paper is needed)
6 years
Use your hands to replicate...
- Transform boundaries
- Divergent boundaries
- Convergent boundaries (continental-continental, oceanic-continental, oceanic-oceanic)
(+50 pts if the result of each is named)
Divergent --> mid-ocean ridges, rift valleys, volcanoes
C-C --> mountains, earthquakes
O-C --> subduction zones,
O-O --> trenches, volcanoes, island arcs
List the layers of soil in order from top to bottom.
CHALLENGE: List the layers of soil in order from bottom to top. (+600 pts)
--> O, A, E, B, C, R
--> R, C, B, E, A, O
The U.S. government regulates pesticide use through this agency, ensuring they are safe for humans and the environment.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
This ancient farming method, still used today, involves growing crops on stepped levels cut into hillsides.
Terracing
The process by which arid and semi-arid land loses its productivity due to soil degradation and climate factors, often exacerbated by human activities.
Desertification