Physical Geology 101 Spring 2007 1st Exam Study Guide The Earth in Space [Chapter 1] I.

) Review Questions Obvious one first; what is Geology? What is a scientific hypothesis and how does it differ from a scientific theory? Why is the Principle of Uniformitarianism important to Geology? How old is the Earth? The inner 4 terrestrial planets of the Solar System differ from the outer 4 planetshow? What is the lithosphere, and how does it relate to the other spheres of Earth Science? The solid Earth is differentiated into layers. What are they? How does the Earth vary chemically? [think about how the layers differ] How is heat important to the evolution of the Earth? II.) Example Question 1.) Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars compose the family of Planets collectively called what? a. Gas Giants b. Icy Planets c. Terrestrial Planets d. Kuiper Belt Objects e. Asteroids Global Tectonics [Chapter 2] I.) Review Questions Obvious one; what is the fundamental idea of Plate Tectonics? Describe one line of evidence of a mobile lithosphere. What is the driving force of Plate motion? Plate motion generates 3 basic types of Plate boundaries. Describe them. Where is new lithosphere formed? Where is it consumed? Who was Alfred Wegener? Describe his Continental Drift hypothesis. Choose 3 lines of evidence Wegener used to support Continental Drift. II.) Example Question What is the theory that that the Earths lithosphere is broken into a series of mobile and rigid fragments? a. biological evolution b. homogeneous accretion c. inhomogeneous accretion d. plate tectonics e. all of the above

Mineralogy [Chapter 3] I.) Review Questions Obvious one again; what is the definition of a mineral? What are the 3 basic states of matter? What is an atom and what are its major constituents? What is a chemical elements atomic number? What is a chemical bond? What is difference between an ionic and covalent bond? What are the 4 most abundant chemical elements in the Earths crust? Minerals are often described by Physical Properties such as hardness. Choose 3 Physical Properties and define them. What is the Mohs Hardness Scale? Cleavage is a common property of minerals. How does it relate to the crystal structure of a mineral? What is the silica tetrahedron? Why is it important? Are all minerals silicates? Single-chain silicates, Double-chain silicates, Sheet-silicates, Frame-work silicates; what do we mean by all these terms? Give an example for each type listed above. II.) Example Question 1.) Which of the following is a false statement about silicate minerals? a. major constituent of the Earths core b. basic unit : the SiO4 complex ion c. formed by linked and isolated silica tetrahedra d. all of the above

Igneous Rocks [Chapter 4] I.) Review Questions Obvious question; what is a rock? Second obvious question; what is an igneous rock? How do intrusive and extrusive rocks differ? What are the 3 main constituents of magma? How does magma differ from lava? How does the silica content vary in igneous rocks? What do the terms mafic and silicic mean? Do igneous rocks form randomly around the globe? If not, where do they tend to form? How is this related to Plate Tectonics? Relate the terms aphanitic and phaneritic to textures observed in igneous rocks. Obsidian is a fascinating type of igneous rock. How does it form? Igneous rocks are classified by combining both their composition and texture. Explain. [Hint: consider a light colored igneous rock with a coarse visible texture-what would you name it??] In a porphyritic textured rock, what are the phenocrysts? How do Heat and Pressure interact to form magmas, lavas, and igneous rocks? What is the role of water? Define the term crystal fractionation. Why is Bowens Reaction Series helpful in understanding it? What type of igneous rock would you expect to find forming at a Divergent Plate Boundary? What type at a Convergent Boundary? II.) Example Question A common Silicic aphanitic igneous rock is: a. granite b. rhyolite c. gabbro d. basalt e. none of the above Volcanoes and Volcanic Structures [Chapter 5] To be updated at end of Mondays Lecture!