Earth's Interior
Name each layer of Earth, starting from Earth’s center.
Inner Core, Outer Core, Mantle, Crust
The process by which atoms are arranged to form a material that has a crystal structure is called:
Crystallization
The small, solid pieces of material that come from rocks or living things is called:
Sediment
The series of processes that occur on Earth's surface and in the crust and mantle that slowly change rocks from one kind to another.
Rock Cycle
When earthquakes occur, they produce:
Seismic waves
Give examples of direct evidence and indirect evidence that geologists use to learn about Earth’s interior.
Direct evidence: rocks from deep inside Earth that volcanoes bring to the surface when they erupt; Indirect evidence: paths of recorded seismic waves that indicate changes in the makeup of rocks inside Earth.
What are some of the properties that geologists use to identify and describe minerals
Geologist describe minerals based on luster, streak, color, hardness, density, cleavage, fracture, and structure.
What are the three major kinds of rocks?
Igneous rock, sedimentary rock, and metamorphic rock
What processes can recycle sedimentary rock into sediment?
Through uplifting to the surface, weathering, and erosion
The rock that forms Earth's outer lay is called:
Crust
What would happen to the convection currents in the mantle if Earth’s interior cooled down? Why?
The currents would stop because a difference in density (caused by heat) is needed to drive the currents.
Why aren’t diamonds found evenly distributed on Earth?
The processes that form diamonds require specific conditions. These conditions are not found evenly across Earth. Therefore, you would not expect to find diamonds evenly distributed on Earth.
What is the source of energy that drives the weathering and erosion of sedimentary rocks? Explain.
The sun is the source of the energy. Heat from the sun drives the wind and water cycle on Earth. The action of water and wind weathers and erodes rock.
Describe a process that happens again and again in the rock cycle. (Give an example)
Example: Heat and pressure change igneous rock into metamorphic rock
The rock below the crust is the solid material called:
Mantle
How does convection cause movement of material and energy in Earth’s interior?
Cool, dense rock from the lithosphere sinks into the mantle where it is heated again. The heated, less-dense rock flows upward. This moves both heat and material.
Amber is a solid material used in jewelry. It forms in nature only by the process of pine tree resin hardening. Explain why you think amber is or is not a mineral.
Amber is not a mineral. It forms only from organic processes. To be a mineral, it must also form from inorganic processes.
High heat melts a deposit of sedimentary rock, which then hardens into new rock. What kind of rock forms? Explain your answer.
Igneous rock; igneous rock forms from the cooling of melted rock (magma or lava).
Explain why the change from metamorphic rock to magma almost always occurs below Earth’s surface.
Extreme heat is needed to melt rock to form magma, and this heat occurs deep below the surface rather than on the surface.
A layer of molten metal surrounding the inner core is called :
Outer Core
How is the rock in the deep mantle similar to the rock in the parts of the mantle nearest the surface? How are they different?
Rock in all parts of the mantle is moving due to convection currents. The rock nearest the surface is colder, denser, and sinking. Rock in the deep mantle is warmer, less dense, and rising.
What role does that sun’s energy play in the formation of minerals from solutions?
Energy from the sun can cause water to evaporate. Minerals dissolved in the water will be left behind when the water evaporates.
You are examining a sample of igneous rock. What factors affect the kind of igneous rock found in the sample?
The temperature of the magma and its composition affect the kind of igneous rock that is formed.
Do you think that plate tectonics plays a major or minor role in the rock cycle? Explain your answer.
Example: Plate tectonics plays a major role. Moving plates helps drive the rock cycle by helping to form magma. Without magma, there would not be any igneous rocks.
The dense ball of solid metal is called:
Inner Core