Earth Science
Final Exam Study Guide

Friday, May 29, 2009
8:30-10:30 am

The final exam will consist of: (this is approximate, subject to minor changes)
112 Multiple choice/matching/quantities
1 cross section analysis
2 short answer

 

Sun and Meteorology


 

solar insolation

latitude

altitude

air mass

dewpoint

condensation

evaporation

freezing

melting

sublimation

deposition

relative humidity

specific humidity

saturation

air pressure

continental polar air mass

maritime polar air mass

continental tropical air mass

maritime tropical air mass

surface winds

cyclone

anticyclone

heat capacity


 

 

Astronomy


 

Kepler’s 1st Law of Planetary Motion

Kepler’s 2nd  Law of Planetary Motion

Kepler’s 3rd Law of Planetary Motion

circle

sphere

ellipse

rotation

revolution

astronomical unit

orbit

Wein’s Law

inertia

aphelion

perihelion

apparent magnitude

absolute magnitude

luminosity

white dwarf

main sequence

redgiant

parallax angle

Doppler shift

quasar

parsec

light year

electromagnetic radiation

frequency

wavelength

visible light

x-rays

gamma rays

radio waves

ultraviolet

infrared

cosmic rays

microwaves

proton

neutron

electron

nucleus

isotope

ion

element


 

 

Geology


 

crystal form

hardness

luster

color

streak

cleavage

rock cycle

igneous

sedimentary

metamorphic

magma

lava

crystallization/solidification

melting

weathering/erosion

heat/pressure/chemically active fluids

deposition

compaction/cementation

continental crust

oceanic crust

lithosphere

asthenosphere

mantle

outer core

inner core

P waves

S waves

transverse wave

longitudinal wave

Earth’s magnetic field

mid-ocean ridge

convergent boundary

divergent boundary

Andes Mountain

San Andreas Fault

radioactive decay

half life

parent element

daughter element

texture

composition

biotite mica

halite

calcite

quartz

feldspar

gypsum

slate

rhyolite

coal

gravel

sand

silt/clay

granite

gneiss

shale

conglomerate

phyllite

schist

gneiss

foliated/lineated

breccia

dolostone

arkose

trench

mantle convection

tsunami

volcano

Theory of Plate Tectonics

sea floor spreading

subduction

subsidence

transform boundary

Principle of Fossil Succession

Law of Superposition

Law of Original Horizontality

Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships

anticline

syncline

normal fault

reverse fault

ocean retreat

ocean advance

siltstone

greywacke

gabbro

glacial till

limestone

sandstone

laccolith

sill

batholith

strike-slip fault

thrust fault

glacial advance

glacial retreat

unconformity

angular unconformity

disconformity

nonconformity

esker

moraine

terminal moraine

ground moraine

recessional moraine

drumlin

kettle

outwash plain

continental glacier

alpine glacier


 

 

 

Quantities
Be able to compare two quantities and say which is greater, or whether they are equal to each other.  There will be meteorology, astronomy, geology.

Units
What are the units that we commonly use for force, frequency, atmospheric pressure, density, heat, specific heat, velocity, temperature, wavelength, and mass?

Cross Section Analysis

You will be presented with a cross section and will put the events in that cross section in order, describe each event, and state the laws and principles that apply to that event.

 

Short Answers

1.  How would the life span of a Blue Supergiant be different from the life span of Alpha Centauri?  Using the names of stars on the diagram, explain the “life” stages would the two stars pass through? 

 

2.  Plate Tectonics is a theory.  There is little direct evidence that the Earth’s lithosphere is broken into rigid plates that are moving on top of a partially molten asthenosphere.  However, there is much indirect evidence that lithospheric plates exist.  List and explain at least five different pieces of indirect evidence that support the Theory of Plate Tectonics.