ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology Exam
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
Asthenosphere - CORRECT ANSWER A region of Earth's outer shell beneath the
lithosphere. The asthenosphere is of indeterminate thickness and behaves plastically. (Begin
Chapter 1)
continental drift - CORRECT ANSWER A concept suggesting that continents move
over Earth's surface.
convergent boundary - CORRECT ANSWER A boundary between two plates that are
moving toward each other.
core - CORRECT ANSWER The central zone of Earth.
crust - CORRECT ANSWER The outer layer of rock, forming a thin skin over Earth's
surface.
data - CORRECT ANSWER Observations or measurements used by scientists to test
hypotheses.
divergent boundary - CORRECT ANSWER Boundary separating two plates moving
away from each other.
equilibrium - CORRECT ANSWER Material is in equilibrium if it is adjusted to the
physical and chemical conditions of its environment so that it does not change or alter with
time.
erosion - CORRECT ANSWER The physical removal of rock by an agent such as
running water, glacial ice, or wind.
,hypothesis - CORRECT ANSWER A tentative and testable theory. Usually written as
an if/then statement.
igneous rock - CORRECT ANSWER A rock formed or apparently formed from
solidification of magma.
isostatic adjustment - CORRECT ANSWER Concept of vertical movement of sections
of Earth's crust to achieve balance or equilibrium.
lithosphere - CORRECT ANSWER The rigid outer shell of Earth, 70 to 125 or more
kilometers thick.
magma - CORRECT ANSWER Molten rock, usually mostly silica. The liquid may
contain dissolved gases as well as some solid minerals.
mantle - CORRECT ANSWER A thick shell of rock that separates Earth's crust above
from the core below.
metamorphic rock - CORRECT ANSWER A rock produced by metamorphism.
mid-oceanic ridge - CORRECT ANSWER A giant mountain range that lies under the
ocean and extends around the world.
plate tectonics - CORRECT ANSWER A theory that Earth's surface is divided into a
few large, thick plates that are slowly moving and changing in size. Intense geologic activity
occurs at the plate boundaries.
scientific method - CORRECT ANSWER A means of gaining knowledge through
objective procedures.
,sediment - CORRECT ANSWER Loose, solid particles that can originate by (1)
weathering and erosion of preexisting rocks, (2) chemical precipitation from solution, usually
in water, and (3) secretion by organisms.
sedimentary rock - CORRECT ANSWER Rock that has formed from (1) lithification
of any type of sediment, (2) precipitation from solution, or (3) consolidation of the remains of
plants or animals.
subduction zone - CORRECT ANSWER Elongate region in which subduction takes
place.
tectonic forces - CORRECT ANSWER Forces generated from within Earth that result
in uplift, movement, or deformation of part of Earth's crust.
theory - CORRECT ANSWER An explanation for observed phenomena that has a high
possibility of being true.
transform boundary - CORRECT ANSWER Boundary between two plates that are
sliding past each other. (End Chapter 1)
Amphibole group - CORRECT ANSWER Mineral group in which all members are
double chain silicates. (Begin Chapter 2)
atom - CORRECT ANSWER Smallest possible particle of an element that retains the
properties of that element.
atomic mass number - CORRECT ANSWER The total number of neutrons and protons
in an atom.
atomic number - CORRECT ANSWER The total number of protons in an atom.
, atomic weight - CORRECT ANSWER The sum of the weight of the subatomic
particles in an average atom of an element, given in atomic mass units.
biotite - CORRECT ANSWER Iron/magnesium bearing mica.
bonding - CORRECT ANSWER Attachment of an atom to one or more adjacent
atoms.
calcite - CORRECT ANSWER Mineral with the formula CaCO3.
chain silicate structure - CORRECT ANSWER Silicate structure in which two of each
tetrahedron's oxygen ions are shared with adjacent tetrahedrons, resulting in a chain of
tetrahedrons.
clay mineral group - CORRECT ANSWER Collective term for several clay minerals.
cleavage - CORRECT ANSWER The ability of a mineral to break along preferred
planes.
covalent bonding - CORRECT ANSWER Bonding due to the sharing of electrons by
adjacent atoms.
crystal form - CORRECT ANSWER Arrangement of various faces on a crystal in a
definite geometric relationship to one another.
crystalline - CORRECT ANSWER Describing a substance in which the atoms are
arranged in a regular, repeating, orderly pattern.
density - CORRECT ANSWER Weight per given volume of a substance.
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
Asthenosphere - CORRECT ANSWER A region of Earth's outer shell beneath the
lithosphere. The asthenosphere is of indeterminate thickness and behaves plastically. (Begin
Chapter 1)
continental drift - CORRECT ANSWER A concept suggesting that continents move
over Earth's surface.
convergent boundary - CORRECT ANSWER A boundary between two plates that are
moving toward each other.
core - CORRECT ANSWER The central zone of Earth.
crust - CORRECT ANSWER The outer layer of rock, forming a thin skin over Earth's
surface.
data - CORRECT ANSWER Observations or measurements used by scientists to test
hypotheses.
divergent boundary - CORRECT ANSWER Boundary separating two plates moving
away from each other.
equilibrium - CORRECT ANSWER Material is in equilibrium if it is adjusted to the
physical and chemical conditions of its environment so that it does not change or alter with
time.
erosion - CORRECT ANSWER The physical removal of rock by an agent such as
running water, glacial ice, or wind.
,hypothesis - CORRECT ANSWER A tentative and testable theory. Usually written as
an if/then statement.
igneous rock - CORRECT ANSWER A rock formed or apparently formed from
solidification of magma.
isostatic adjustment - CORRECT ANSWER Concept of vertical movement of sections
of Earth's crust to achieve balance or equilibrium.
lithosphere - CORRECT ANSWER The rigid outer shell of Earth, 70 to 125 or more
kilometers thick.
magma - CORRECT ANSWER Molten rock, usually mostly silica. The liquid may
contain dissolved gases as well as some solid minerals.
mantle - CORRECT ANSWER A thick shell of rock that separates Earth's crust above
from the core below.
metamorphic rock - CORRECT ANSWER A rock produced by metamorphism.
mid-oceanic ridge - CORRECT ANSWER A giant mountain range that lies under the
ocean and extends around the world.
plate tectonics - CORRECT ANSWER A theory that Earth's surface is divided into a
few large, thick plates that are slowly moving and changing in size. Intense geologic activity
occurs at the plate boundaries.
scientific method - CORRECT ANSWER A means of gaining knowledge through
objective procedures.
,sediment - CORRECT ANSWER Loose, solid particles that can originate by (1)
weathering and erosion of preexisting rocks, (2) chemical precipitation from solution, usually
in water, and (3) secretion by organisms.
sedimentary rock - CORRECT ANSWER Rock that has formed from (1) lithification
of any type of sediment, (2) precipitation from solution, or (3) consolidation of the remains of
plants or animals.
subduction zone - CORRECT ANSWER Elongate region in which subduction takes
place.
tectonic forces - CORRECT ANSWER Forces generated from within Earth that result
in uplift, movement, or deformation of part of Earth's crust.
theory - CORRECT ANSWER An explanation for observed phenomena that has a high
possibility of being true.
transform boundary - CORRECT ANSWER Boundary between two plates that are
sliding past each other. (End Chapter 1)
Amphibole group - CORRECT ANSWER Mineral group in which all members are
double chain silicates. (Begin Chapter 2)
atom - CORRECT ANSWER Smallest possible particle of an element that retains the
properties of that element.
atomic mass number - CORRECT ANSWER The total number of neutrons and protons
in an atom.
atomic number - CORRECT ANSWER The total number of protons in an atom.
, atomic weight - CORRECT ANSWER The sum of the weight of the subatomic
particles in an average atom of an element, given in atomic mass units.
biotite - CORRECT ANSWER Iron/magnesium bearing mica.
bonding - CORRECT ANSWER Attachment of an atom to one or more adjacent
atoms.
calcite - CORRECT ANSWER Mineral with the formula CaCO3.
chain silicate structure - CORRECT ANSWER Silicate structure in which two of each
tetrahedron's oxygen ions are shared with adjacent tetrahedrons, resulting in a chain of
tetrahedrons.
clay mineral group - CORRECT ANSWER Collective term for several clay minerals.
cleavage - CORRECT ANSWER The ability of a mineral to break along preferred
planes.
covalent bonding - CORRECT ANSWER Bonding due to the sharing of electrons by
adjacent atoms.
crystal form - CORRECT ANSWER Arrangement of various faces on a crystal in a
definite geometric relationship to one another.
crystalline - CORRECT ANSWER Describing a substance in which the atoms are
arranged in a regular, repeating, orderly pattern.
density - CORRECT ANSWER Weight per given volume of a substance.
