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Earth Science
N/A
55
Geology
9th Grade
05/10/2012

Additional Geology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Layers of different rock types layered one on top of another in many different formations in the Earth's crust are relative evidence that
Definition
the world's surface is constantly being recycled.
Term
The Law of Gravity and the Law of Superposition may seem to contradict each other when
Definition
a younger bed containing more massive sediment is found above an older bed with less massive sediment.
Term
Nicholas Steno was a pioneer in the field of Geology because he formally proposed
Definition
Principles of Stratigraphy still in use today.
Term
Sediments being transported by streams and deposited on lake bottoms are best representative of the
Definition
Principle of Uniformitarianism.
Term
While hiking, you and some friends run across an exposed bed of sedimentary rock that has obviously been affected by the forces of tilting, such as those involved in mountain building events. What information would suggest that the partially exposed fossils in the middle sediment layer are from the Jurassic Period (200-146 mya)?
Definition
mountain building events ended in the Triassic period, which preceded the Jurassic Period.
Term

Referring to the photo: according to the Law of Cross-Cutting, the

[image]

Definition
granite intrusions are the youngest feature in this diagram, because they cut across the other rock formations.
Term

In places where layers of rocks are contorted, the relative ages of the layers may be difficult to determine. However, you could identify the relative age of the fossils in the strata at the end of the pointer if you knew

[image]

Definition
the order in which the sediments were originally deposited.
Term

Which statement about this diagram is correct?

[image]

Definition
You would expect to find fossils of the same age in stratum ?c? in both plates.
Term

According to the Law of Horizontality the oldest rock layer in this image would most likely be the

[image]

Definition
layer at the bottom, because it appears no uplift has occurred. Question Number 8
Term

To identify this rock sample, indicated by the pointer in the image, paleontologists would need to use the same age fossils from

[image]

Definition
strata deposited at the same time in another location.
Term
The correct description of an isotope is
Definition
An isotope has different forms of a single element with the same number of protons, but different number of neutrons.
Term
To become preserved as a fossil, an organism must
Definition
have preservable hard parts, be buried in sediment and escape physical, chemical, and biological destruction after burial.
Term
The shells of invertebrates and single-celled organisms, as well as vertebrate bones and teeth may
Definition
be preserved unchanged, in their original chemical composition
Term
The law of Faunal (or fossil) Succession complements the law of superposition because
Definition
fossils in sequence of absolute age support the relative dating of rock strata. Also, geologists can know different rocks are the same age, if they contain the same fossils.
Term
Radioactive decay
Definition
occurs spontaneously in radioactive isotopes and at a constant rate specific to each isotope.
Term
Any dead material incorporated with sedimentary deposits is a possible candidate for carbon-14 dating because
Definition
all living things contain carbon-14.
Term
Transitional and deep marine environments are favorable for fossil formation because
Definition
the rate of sediment deposition tends to be higher than in shallower marine or river environments.
Term
William Smith's discoveries revolutionized modern Geology because
Definition
his careful study revealed relationships between types of sediments and fossil specimens. Also, his careful study revealed that fossils succeed one another in a definite order.
Term
Radiometric clocks are "set" when
Definition
an organism dies, an igneous rock solidifies from magma, a sedimentary rock layer is deposited, or a metamorphic rock cools off.
Term
Where are you likely to find particles that are ionized which can create auroras?
Definition
ionosphere
Term
___ is produced in Earth's upper atmosphere when radiation from the Sun interacts with oxygen gas (O2) in the upper stratosphere.
Definition
Ozone (O3)
Term
The Earth's great bodies of water are referred to as energy reservoirs because
Definition
thermohaline currents transport heat deeper into the ocean layers
Term
Humidity
Definition
is a measure of the amount of atmospheric water vapor
Term
The specific heat of a material is a measure of
Definition
the amount of heat required to raise one gram of a substance 1°C
Term
Which of the following gases is the most abundant in our atmosphere today?
Definition
Nitrogen
Term
Oxygen (O2) was not present in Earth's second atmosphere over 4.5 billion years ago.
Definition
True
Term
The enormous heat capacity of the Earth's oceans is due to
Definition
its specific heat and mass
Term
What are isobar lines found on a weather map?
Definition
An isobar indicates the barometric pressure of every surface location along the line. Isobar lines that are drawn more closely together indicate greater wind speeds. Isobar lines never intersect.
Term
Severe weather conditions are more likely associated with
Definition
lift produced by the steepness of cold fronts as they overtake warm air masses
Term
Altitude affects the atmospheric pressure of 14.7 psi.
Definition
True.
Term
Jet streams
Definition
are found aloft at the boundaries of large contrasting air masses
Term
Convection currents
Definition
transfer energy in liquids and gases, involve random mixing of particles in liquids and gases, and involve particles carrying heat energy from one place to another.
Term
When energy is absorbed by a substance, the particles in the substance might experience an increase in average kinetic energy.
Definition
True
Term
An increase in solar winds will have no affect on the ionosphere.
Definition
False
Term
Which of the following instruments measures air pressure?
Definition
Barometer
Term
When heat energy is released by a substance,
Definition
the kinetic energy of a substance decreases.
Term
Plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into organic molecules
Definition
used by living organisms for chemical energy.
Term
Global warming is caused by _______ and increases the ________.
Definition
too many greenhouse gases in the troposphere; amount of heat energy retained near Earth's surface.
Term
Ocean waters near the equator develop currents that carry warm water to areas of the Earth that do not receive as much energy from the Sun. What process makes this transport of warm water possible?
Definition
convection circulating the upper layers of the ocean. 
Term
Warm air is ________ than cold air, and moist air is _________ than dry air.
Definition
less dense ; less dense
Term
Mountain ranges exert a _________ effect on moist air that is forced up and over them.
Definition
drying
Term
Which of the following gases are considered "greenhouse gases", gases that trap energy from the Sun, making our planet warmer than it would be otherwise?
Definition
Water vapor, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide.
Term
The chemical formula for carbon dioxide is CO2.
Definition
True
Term
Nuclear energy is not a renewable energy source.
Definition
True
Term
Fossil fuels produce carbon dioxide when they undergo combustion reactions.
Definition
True.
Term
Lake Effect snow occurs when
Definition
a cold air mass passes over a warm body of water, picks up moisture, rises and forms snow clouds, and drops snow on the downwind shore.
Term
Why does the air over water heat up more slowly than the air over land?
Definition
Because water has a higher specific heat than land.
Term
The rotation of the Earth causes the apparent deflection of air masses across the planet's surface.
Definition
Coriolis Effect.
Term
Wind is a sideways motion of air, where an area of higher pressure moves fluids to an area of
Definition
Lower pressure.
Term
During the winter months in the United States, the subpolar (midlatitude) jet stream causes cold air to travel from the
Definition
North Pole Arctic.
Term
Which of the following factors does not affect the circulation of atmosphere here on Earth?
Definition
The motion of cool air masses generated from the equator.
Term
Which winds on our planet move toward the equator from the northern and the southern hemispheres?
Definition
Trade winds.
Term
The farther air molecules are from one another, the ________ the density.
Definition
lower
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