Intro to Earth Systems:

1- What are the main areas of study in Earth Science? Describe each Meteorology,
Geology, Astronomy, Oceanography
2- What is longitude? Vertical lines that measure east and west
3- What is latitude? Horizontal line that measures north and south
4- What is the equator? 0 latitude
5- What is the prime meridian? 0 longitude
6- What is a topographic map? Map that measure elevation
7- What is a system? Interacting parts working together
8- What is a scientific theory? Generally accepted idea that are based on observation and
facts
9- What are some environmental hazards created by humans? Burning fossil fuels,
deforestation
10- What is a renewable resource? What is a nonrenewable resource? Renewable: Wind
power, hydrologic power. Non-renewable: coal and fossil fuels
Spheres:
1- What are the four spheres? Describe each
Hydrosphere-all water
Biosphere-all life
Geosphere- layers of the Earth (solid parts of the earth ex: rocks and minerals)
Atmosphere-gas envelope surrounding the Earth
2- Can the spheres be connected? Yes, none of them can exist individually
3- Where can life be found? In all parts of the Earth including the atmosphere
4- What are the layers of the geosphere? Draw and label each
Inner core, Outer core, Mantle, Asthenosphere, Lithosphere, Crust
5- What is the asthenosphere? Where is it located? Slush like layer in the upper mantle
6- What is the lithosphere? Where is it located? Solid layer composed of the upper mantle
and crust
Cycles:
1- Describe the following cycles and why they are important
a. Hydrologic- Water cycle is powered by the sun and it includes: evaporation
(liquid to gas), precipitation (gas to liquid), runoff, infiltration(settling into the

ground)
b. Carbon: Were affecting the carbon cycle by burning fossil fuels.

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c.
Nitrogen: Most of the gas in the atmosphere is
nitrogen, but it has to be fixed by bacteria in order for
us to use it in natural processes.

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d. Phosphorous: Important due to the fact that its present in RNA and DNA

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Formation of Earth and our Solar System:

1- What is the nebular hypothesis? (What was the cloud made of?) Gases (Hydrogen and
helium) and dust and dirt started to condense and spin. It continued to condense and

spin, gathering more and more dirt and dust. Eventually, this process formed the Earth
(and other planets/space objects).
Rocks and Minerals:
1- What are the three types of rocks? Describe how each are formed
Igneous-cooling magma/lava
Metamorphic-heat and pressure (usually underneath the surface of the Earth)
Sedimentary- cementation and compaction

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2- What are the characteristics of minerals?

Solid
Inorganic
Naturally occurring
Definite Chemical composition
Crystalline structure
3- Describe 7 mineral properties we use to identify them
Streak- color of powdered form (color left behind on streak plate)
Luster- does it look metallic, shiny, or dull?
Hardness- measured with the Mohs scale. Measure hardness based on what it can
scratch and if it can be scratched.
Cleavage- breaks with smooth edges
Fracture- breaks with jagged edges
Magnetism- is it magnetic?
Color- appearance. What color is it?
Density- How dense is it? Mass/volume=density