Geology Test One

Front 1

Nebular Hypothesis

Back 1

The __________ proposes that the bodies of our solar system formed at essentially the same time from a rotating cloud of gases and dust.

Front 2

Theory

Back 2

A(n) __________ is a well-tested and widely accepted view that best explains certain observable facts.

Front 3

Planet Earth

Back 3

Geology is the science that pursues an understanding of ___________.

Front 4

the natural world behaves in a consistent and predictable manner

Back 4

All science is based on the fundamental assumption that

Front 5

4004 B.C.

Back 5

Archbishop James Ussher used the Bible to construct a chronology to date the creation of the Earth to

Front 6

James Hutton

Back 6

was an important 18th century Scottish geologist and writer. Considered the "Father of Geology"

Front 7

Historical geology describes geological processes that operate on the Earth.

Back 7

True

Front 8

uniformitarianism

Back 8

is the fundamental principle of geology that states "the physical, chemical, and biological laws that operate today have also operated in the geologic past."

Front 9

The statement "the present is the key to the past," describes what basic geologic concept or doctrine?

Back 9

uniformitarianism

Front 10

Plates move on the outer surface of the earth BECAUSE;

Back 10

convective heat from the upper mantle contributes to their movement

Front 11

The gain or loss of electrons transforms an atom into:

Back 11

an ion

Front 12

The processes of weathering and erosion produce ___ rocks.

Back 12

sedimentary

Front 13

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

Back 13

Contains silicon and oxygen

Front 14

Which one of the following is not part of an atom? electron, proton, nucleus, molecule, neutron

Back 14

molecule

Front 15

The Cascade Mountains are an example of which kind of plate boundary?

Back 15

convergent (oceanic-continent subduction)

Front 16

The Cascade and Andes Mountains are the result of which kind of plate boundary?

Back 16

convergent (oceanic-continent subduction)

Front 17

The process by which an originally homogeneous Earth developed a dense core and a light crust is called

Back 17

chemical differentiation (or segregation)

Front 18

The atomic number for silicon is 14, meaning that silicon atoms have

Back 18

14 protons

Front 19

When did geologists develop the theory of plate tectonics?

Back 19

in the 1960s

Front 20

The San Andreas fault in California is a good example of a(n) ____________ plate boundary.

Back 20

transform

Front 21

The ____________ theory is the leading hypothesis that describes the formation of the Sun, Earth, and other planets of the solar system.

Back 21

nebullar

Front 22

The sharing of electrons by adjacent atoms is a type of bonding called:

Back 22

covalent

Front 23

What powers the Earth's internal heat engine and, therefore, explains Hutton's "unknown chemical reactions"?

Back 23

radioctivity

Front 24

The asthenosphere is actually a part of the ____________ of the Earth.

Back 24

mantle

Front 25

Which of the following lists contains the subdivisions of the Geologic Calendar in order from largest to smallest?

Back 25

Eons, Eras, Periods, Epochs

Front 26

What geologic Period follows the Paleozoic?

Back 26

triassic

Front 27

Which detailed subdivision of the earth's internal structure is composed of molten iron and nickel alloy? (two word answer)

Back 27

outer core

Front 28

Of the three main subdivisions of the earth's internal structure, which is the middle subdivision?

Back 28

mantle

Front 29

Of the three main subdivisions of the earth's internal structure, which is the outermost subdivision?

Back 29

crust

Front 30

Which one of the following rock types contains the greatest amount of quartz?

basalt, komalite, granite, gabbro, andesite

Back 30

granite

Front 31

The chemical formula of the silicon-oxygen tetrahedron is

Back 31

SiO44-

Front 32

Basalt and gabbro have the same _________________ but different ___________________

Back 32

composistions, textures

Front 33

Which of the following best describes a phaneritic texture?

Back 33

the rock is crystalline; mineral grains are of distinctly visible sizes without any magnification

Front 34

Which one of the following factors is most important in determing the texture of an igneous rock?

Back 34

the rate at which the magma cools

Front 35

Only eight elements make up the vast majority of rock-forming minerals. Which of the following elements is not one of the eight?

Back 35

Sulfur

Front 36

The minerals muscovite and biotite, which are mica minerals, are examples of which type of silicate structure?

Back 36

sheet silicates

Front 37

Which of the following lists is in the correct order of decreasing amounts of silica?

Back 37

granite, diorite, gabbro

Front 38

A slowly cooled magma will most likely result in a rock with which one of the following textures?

Back 38

phaneritic

Front 39

What is the most common mineral group?

Back 39

silicates

Front 40

The major mineral example given for the sulfate group of minerals is named

Back 40

gypsum

Front 41

The major mineral example given for the carbonate group of minerals is named

Back 41

calcite

Front 42

The two most common elements in the crust of the earth are oxygen and

Back 42

silicon

Front 43

Rocks are named based on

Back 43

texture and composition