Earth Systems Final Exam Questions and Solutions

What are the main areas of Earth Science? - Earth Science includes many subdivisions of geology such as geochemistry, geophysics, geobiology, paleontology, as well as oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. What is meteorology? - The scientific study of the atmosphere and atmospheric phenomena' the study of weather and climate. What is historical geology? - Establishes a timeline of the vast number of physical and biological changes that have occurred in the past. Nebular Hypothesis - Suggests that the bodies of our solar system evolved from an enormous rotating cloud called the solar nebula. What are the 4 major spheres and describe each one? - Hydrosphere - the water part of the planet Atmosphere - Earth's gaseous envelope Geosphere - Biosphere - Made of all life forms on Earth What are the three spheres were life forms can be found? - Hydrosphere, Geosphere, Biosphere Draw a diagram of each layer of the Earth's geosphere. - ... What are the characteristics of each layer of the Earth's geosphere? - the inner core, the outer core, lower mantle, and crust What is the difference between the asthenosphere and the lithosphere? - Asthenosphere - A weak plastic layer of the mantle situated below the lithosphere. Lithosphere - The rigid outer layer of the Earth, including the ccrust and upper mantle. What is the difference between latitude, longitude, equator and the prime meridian? - Latitude - The distance north or south of the equator, measure in degrees. Longitude - The distance east and west of the prime meridian, measure in degrees. Equator - Divides Earth into northern and southern hemispheres Prime Meridian - Divide the Earth into Eastern and Western hemispheres. Draw the difference between latitude, longitude, equator and the prime meridian. - ... What are the various types of maps used to illustrate the difference in elevation? - Topographic maps Contour Lines Scale On contour map contour lines that form a circle indicate which type of topographical feature is indicated? A. Lake B. Ocean C. Hill D. Valley - C. Hill Use a scale to calculate distances between points on a map. - ... Why is Earth considered to be a system? - Earth is a system made up of numerous interacting parts or subsystems.