Deck 1: Understanding Earth: A Dynamic and Evolving Planet

Question 1

The earth is dynamic, constantly changing in response to interactions between its interior and surface processes.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

The study of geology is not related to such contemporary issues as acid rain because it deals with timescales of millions and billions of years.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

The study of geology includes many other disciplines in the natural sciences, including physics, chemistry, biology, and astronomy.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

The role of the professional geologist and the need for expertise in the area of geology is increasing because of society's focus on environmental problems and issues.

Question 5

Metamorphic rocks are formed by the melting and crystallization of magma far beneath the surface.

Question 6

Rocks belonging to the sedimentary group always consist of rock and/or mineral particles from pre-existing rocks.

Question 7

Sedimentary rocks may consist of particles of pre-existing sedimentary rocks.

Question 8

Volcanic eruptions are the source of all igneous rocks.

Question 9

Intrusive igneous rocks form at the surface.

Question 10

The principle of uniformitarianism includes events which are sudden and catastrophic within the realm of human perception.

Question 11

The principle of uniformitarianism includes only processes which occur gradually.

Question 12

The principle of uniformitarianism does not include unusual or atypical geologic events such as an ice age or asteroid impact.

Question 13

The principle of uniformitarianism includes phenomena of widely varying rates, scopes, frequencies, intensities and durations.

Question 14

Movement along plate boundaries results in earthquake and volcanic activity.

Question 15

Sedimentary rocks form from sediments subjected to extremely high temperatures and pressures.

Question 16

Once rocks form they remain unchanged unless they are metamorphosed into metamorphic rocks.

Question 17

Igneous rocks can form under many different conditions, but they are always the result of cooling and crystallization from magma.

Question 18

If a theory stands the test of time, it becomes a fact.

Question 19

Earth is a dynamic planet and as a result is always changing.

Question 20

The Kyoto Protocol requires all countries to reduce their greenhouse-causing emissions proportionately.

Question 21

Reductions of greenhouse-causing emissions by member countries according to the Kyoto Protocol is based in part on the amount of emissions being produced in 1990.

Question 22

Solar nebula theory explains the low mean densities of the Jovian planets and high mean densities of terrestrial planets.

Question 23

Solar nebula theory explains the large relative volume of rocky material and small relative volume of ice and gases in the terrestrial planets, and the converse in the Jovian planets.

Question 24

All Jovian planets consist of a small rocky core surrounded by thick layers of frozen, liquid and gaseous materials.

Question 25

Earth accreted as molten material and its layers differentiated as it cooled.

Question 26

Which of the following is a renewable resource?

A) natural gas
B) gravel
C) wood
D) uranium
E) coal

Question 27

The Earth system is composed of

A) the hydrosphere, lithosphere, mantle, core, biosphere, and atmosphere
B) a series of inputs and outputs that do not vary over time
C) igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks
D) none of the above

Question 28

Which of the following best summarizes Earth?

A) a simple system composed of 4 subsystems
B) a complex dynamic planet that has changed continuously since its origin
C) a complex planet composed of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere
D) a dynamic system of inputs and outputs

Question 29

Which of these environmental problems would a geologist be most likely to address?

A) the cause of acid rain
B) the effect of oil and gas production on atmospheric pollution
C) the impact of human activity on global warming
D) the toxicology of pesticides

Question 30

Global warming is caused by

A) the heat generated by the burning of fossil fuels
B) the heat produced by sunlight and retained by carbon dioxide and other gases
C) increased heat produced through the hole in the ozone
D) increased solar radiation as the earth moves nearer the sun
E) none of the above

Question 31

If global warming is occurring, it could potentially impact

A) just the atmosphere
B) the atmosphere and hydrosphere
C) the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere
D) the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and the lithosphere

Question 32

Earth is considered dynamic because

A) surface landscapes are constantly changing due to erosion and deposition
B) the lithosphere and asthenosphere are constantly changing
C) rocks are susceptible to weathering
D) the impact of human activity is continuous

Question 33

The crust, the outermost layer of Earth, consists of

A) continental and oceanic types
B) sediments and sedimentary rocks
C) igneous rocks originally produced by volcanism
D) mountains, plains, and valleys

Question 34

Theories in geology are developed through a process known as

A) plate tectonics
B) uniformitarianism
C) scientific method
D) systems approach
E) none of the above

Question 35

According to plate tectonic theory

A) crust is formed along divergent boundaries and consumed along convergent boundaries
B) continents have drifted from their original positions
C) magma in magma chambers helps break continents up and push them apart
D) volcanism and earthquakes reflect Earth's unrest

Question 36

The rock cycle is an illustration of three different rock types and

A) their environments of formation
B) their potential change over time
C) their relation to internal and external earth processes
D) A, B, and C

Question 37

Plate tectonic theory is considered a unifying theory because it

A) explains evidence for a dynamic Earth from a variety of subdisciplines in geology
B) a common belief of a broad spectrum of geologists from different disciplines
C) current explanation for the such earth processes as volcanism and earthquakes
D) is the only theory explaining earth dynamics that hasn't been disproven

Question 38

The three main rock types are distinguished on the basis of which of the following characteristics?

A) composition
B) texture
C) size and shape of mineral or rock grains
D) A and B
E) A, B, and C

Question 39

Which of the following best describes sedimentary rocks?

A) deposition of ash and larger particles produced by volcanism
B) weathering, transport, and deposition of sediment from pre-existing rocks
C) compaction and cementation of rock fragments, precipitates, and organic matter
D) alteration of sediment by heat, pressure, and the chemical activity of water

Question 40

The evidence supporting the "Big Bang"theory includes

A) an expanding universe
B) a pervasive background radiation everywhere in the universe
C) the existence of the Doppler effect
D) A and B
E) all of the above

Question 41

Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are similar in that they have similar

A) tectonism
B) volcanism
C) composition
D) internal temperatures
E) all of the above

Question 42

______________are accreting masses of gases, liquids, and solids which eventually become true planets?

Question 43

Among earth's natural resources,______________ and______________ are used in your home or were used to construct your home.

Question 44

With regard to Earth's interior, the is______________ ______________ solid, the______________ ______________ is liquid

Question 45

The lithosphere is comprised of the______________ and the upper part of the______________.

Question 46

The three types of tectonic plate boundaries are______________ ,______________ , ______________and.

Question 47

Subduction is associated with ______________plate boundaries

Question 48

The discovery of______________ , near the turn of the century, led to the development of techniques for determining absolute ages of rocks in years.

Question 49

The basic premise of the principle of______________ is that present-day processes have operated throughout geologic time.

Question 50

How is the rock cycle related to plate tectonics?

Question 51

Select two of Earth's subsystems and describe how they interact with each other.

Question 52

Using one of the theories presented in the chapter, describe the observations that geologists used to support the theory.

Question 53

Is plate tectonics a fact or a theory? Explain.

Question 54

Use an example to illustrate why the study of geology might involve more than one of Earth's subsystems.

Question 55

What is meant by the term "system"as it is used in discussing Earth's complexity?

Question 56

In addition to a hospitable atmosphere and climates, what are other favorable conditions for life's existence on Earth that we know?

Question 57

What are the two broad areas into which the field of geology is divided?

Question 58

How has geology been important to the arts and literature?

Question 59

Give one specific example of how geology has an effect on your daily life in terms of materials and energy needs.

Question 60

Give one example of how you might use geology as you prepare to purchase property on which to build your home.

Question 61

How does knowledge of geology benefit other professions? Provide one example.

Question 62

What was the origin of the material which now forms the solar system, according to a current theory?

Question 63

By how long ago had the early Earth formed?

Question 64

What are the two types of crust?

Question 65

Which of Earth's major concentric divisions forms the largest volume?

Question 66

The lithosphere is comprised of which layer or layers?

Question 67

What are the three zones into which the mantle can be divided, based on physical characteristics?

Question 68

Given that the asthenosphere behaves like a plastic, deforming under high pressures and temperatures, explain why oceanic crust always occurs at lower elevations/greater depths than continental crust.

Question 69

Give a definition for the term "theory"as it is used in science.

Question 70

What fact about scientific theories best distinguishes science from other forms of human inquiry?

Question 71

Briefly explain how human conflicts over mineral resources and territory could ultimately be considered the result of the products and processes of plate tectonics.

Question 72

With which type(s) of plate boundaries is subduction associated?

Question 73

With which type(s) of plate boundaries is volcanic activity generally associated?

Question 74

With which type(s) of plate boundaries are earthquakes associated?

Question 75

Briefly describe the meaning of the term "plate"in "plate tectonic theory."

Question 76

Briefly describe the role of plate tectonics in geological processes:

Question 77

Briefly describe how the discovery of sea floor spreading transformed the continental drift hypothesis into the theory of plate tectonics.

Question 78

Who proposed the hypothesis of continental drift, and when?

Question 79

After Wegener's hypothesis of continental drift was rejected, what laterhypothesis was proposed to explain new data obtained from studies of the ocean floors?

Question 80

Briefly explain, using plate tectonics as an example and clearly stating each step, how the scientific method may be used to formulate a hypothesis and then transform it into theory.