Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
43 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Nebular Hypothesis |
The __________ proposes that the bodies of our solar system formed at essentially the same time from a rotating cloud of gases and dust. |
|
Theory |
A(n) __________ is a well-tested and widely accepted view that best explains certain observable facts. |
|
Planet Earth |
Geology is the science that pursues an understanding of ___________. |
|
the natural world behaves in a consistent and predictable manner |
All science is based on the fundamental assumption that |
|
4004 B.C.
|
Archbishop James Ussher used the Bible to construct a chronology to date the creation of the Earth to |
|
James Hutton |
was an important 18th century Scottish geologist and writer. Considered the "Father of Geology" |
|
Historical geology describes geological processes that operate on the Earth. |
True |
|
uniformitarianism |
is the fundamental principle of geology that states "the physical, chemical, and biological laws that operate today have also operated in the geologic past." |
|
The statement "the present is the key to the past," describes what basic geologic concept or doctrine? |
uniformitarianism |
|
Plates move on the outer surface of the earth BECAUSE; |
convective heat from the upper mantle contributes to their movement |
|
The gain or loss of electrons transforms an atom into: |
an ion |
|
The processes of weathering and erosion produce ___ rocks. |
sedimentary |
|
Which one of the following is not included in the definition of a mineral? A. inorganic B. a definite chemical composition that can vary within specified limits C. naturally occurring D. contains silicon and oxygen E. a solid |
Contains silicon and oxygen |
|
Which one of the following is not part of an atom? electron, proton, nucleus, molecule, neutron |
molecule |
|
The Cascade Mountains are an example of which kind of plate boundary? |
convergent (oceanic-continent subduction) |
|
The Cascade and Andes Mountains are the result of which kind of plate boundary? |
convergent (oceanic-continent subduction) |
|
The process by which an originally homogeneous Earth developed a dense core and a light crust is called |
chemical differentiation (or segregation) |
|
The atomic number for silicon is 14, meaning that silicon atoms have |
14 protons |
|
When did geologists develop the theory of plate tectonics? |
in the 1960s |
|
The San Andreas fault in California is a good example of a(n) ____________ plate boundary. |
transform |
|
The ____________ theory is the leading hypothesis that describes the formation of the Sun, Earth, and other planets of the solar system. |
nebullar |
|
The sharing of electrons by adjacent atoms is a type of bonding called: |
covalent |
|
What powers the Earth's internal heat engine and, therefore, explains Hutton's "unknown chemical reactions"? |
radioctivity |
|
The asthenosphere is actually a part of the ____________ of the Earth. |
mantle |
|
Which of the following lists contains the subdivisions of the Geologic Calendar in order from largest to smallest? |
Eons, Eras, Periods, Epochs |
|
What geologic Period follows the Paleozoic? |
triassic |
|
Which detailed subdivision of the earth's internal structure is composed of molten iron and nickel alloy? (two word answer) |
outer core |
|
Of the three main subdivisions of the earth's internal structure, which is the middle subdivision? |
mantle |
|
Of the three main subdivisions of the earth's internal structure, which is the outermost subdivision? |
crust |
|
Which one of the following rock types contains the greatest amount of quartz? basalt, komalite, granite, gabbro, andesite |
granite |
|
The chemical formula of the silicon-oxygen tetrahedron is |
SiO44- |
|
Basalt and gabbro have the same _________________ but different ___________________ |
composistions, textures |
|
Which of the following best describes a phaneritic texture? |
the rock is crystalline; mineral grains are of distinctly visible sizes without any magnification |
|
Which one of the following factors is most important in determing the texture of an igneous rock? |
the rate at which the magma cools |
|
Only eight elements make up the vast majority of rock-forming minerals. Which of the following elements is not one of the eight? |
Sulfur |
|
The minerals muscovite and biotite, which are mica minerals, are examples of which type of silicate structure? |
sheet silicates |
|
Which of the following lists is in the correct order of decreasing amounts of silica? |
granite, diorite, gabbro |
|
A slowly cooled magma will most likely result in a rock with which one of the following textures? |
phaneritic |
|
What is the most common mineral group? |
silicates |
|
The major mineral example given for the sulfate group of minerals is named |
gypsum |
|
The major mineral example given for the carbonate group of minerals is named |
calcite |
|
The two most common elements in the crust of the earth are oxygen and |
silicon |
|
Rocks are named based on |
texture and composition |