Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Earth Systems Chapter 1
n/a
190
Geology
Undergraduate 1
01/16/2014
Click here to study/print these flashcards.

Create your own flash cards! Sign up here.

Additional Geology Flashcards

 

 

Cards

Term
Earth Systems
Science is
 Definition
a way
of asking and
answering
questions about
the physical
universe
Term
Science Is:
 Definition
A way of thinking in the pursuit of
understanding nature
• A way of investigating claims about
natural phenomenon
• A body of knowledge resulting from
scientific inquiry
Term
Scientific Inquiry Often Uses Both
 Definition
Inductive And Deductive Reasoning
Term
Induction
 Definition
Making generalizations
from specific observations
Term
Deduction
 Definition
Making predictions
(deductions) from pre-existing
generalizations
Term
One Goal Of Science Is To
 Definition
Describe And Predict
Events In Nature Using A Scientific Method
Term
One Goal Of Science Is To Describe And Predict
Events In Nature Using A Scientific Method
 Definition
• Collection of data
• Analysis of data
Term
_____ decreases from collection of data to analysis of data
 Definition
inductive
Term
Scientific Data Should Be:
 Definition
Representative and unbiased
• Reproducible
• Accurate and precise
Term
Scientific Data May Be
 Definition
Observational or experimental
Term
An observation that has been
repeatedly confirmed is considered a
 Definition
“Scientific Fact” or “Law”
Term
One Goal Of Science Is To
 Definition
Describe And Predict
Events In Nature Using A Scientific Method
Term
One Goal Of Science Is To Describe And Predict
Events In Nature Using A Scientific Method. What is the step process of the scientific method?
 Definition
• Collection of data
• Analysis of data
• Development of a Hypothesis(es)
• Testing of Hypothesis
• Verification, modification, or
rejection of hypothesis
• Development of a Theory
Term
______ decreases from • Development of a Hypothesis(es)
• Testing of Hypothesis
• Verification, modification, or
rejection of hypothesis
• Development of a Theory
 Definition
deductive
Term
A Hypothesis Is:
 Definition
A generalized statement designed to
EXPLAIN a set of scientific observations:
Term
A Hypothesis Is:
• A generalized statement designed to
EXPLAIN a set of scientific observations:
 Definition
Not the only explanation
– Not necessarily the final explanation
– …But an idea that we can test with additional
data
Term
The best hypothesis is one that
 Definition
explains
ALL of the existing observations
Term
Hypothesis predicts
 Definition
a certain pattern or
order to the data
Term
Collect additional data that would be
predicted (______) on the basis of the
hypothesis:
 Definition
deduced
Term
Collect additional data that would be
predicted (deduced) on the basis of the
hypothesis: What more?
 Definition
– Perform more experiments and/or observations
– Does the additional data verify the prediction?
Term
If the data are inconsistent with the
prediction, then the
 Definition
hypothesis MUST be
modified or abandoned
Term
A hydrologist samples water from several wells in an
area: what do you do first?
 Definition
Analyzes the chemistry of the water
– Water is contaminated in the sampled wells
Term
Induction (generalization): (hydrologist)
 Definition
– All the wells in this area are contaminated
Term
Deduction (hypothesis):(hydrologist)
 Definition
Contamination is from a nearby landfill
Term
How would we test our hypothesis?(hydro)
 Definition
Collect more water samples closer to landfill
– Is contaminant consistent with pollutants from landfill?
– Perhaps contaminant from nearby industrial plant
Term
If the data are consistent with the
prediction,
 Definition
they support the
hypothesis.
Term
Repeated verification of a hypothesis
may result
 Definition
a theory
Term
A Theory Is
 Definition
“A well tested and widely accepted
view that scientists agree best explain
certain observational facts.”
Term
Theories must be:
 Definition
testable and falsifiable
Term
Therefore, all theories are considered
 Definition
provisional
Term
theories are the
 Definition
end points of
science!
Term
There is no scientific statement stronger
or more widely accepted than a
 Definition
theory
Term
Earth is a planet that is
 Definition
small and self-contained
Term
Earth has:
 Definition
Hydrosphere
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Solid Earth
Term
Earth’s spheres=
 Definition
reservoirs
Term
Earth’s spheres (reservoirs):
 Definition
– Lithosphere
– Hydrosphere
– Atmosphere
– Biosphere
Term
– Lithosphere =
 Definition
(solid Earth)
Term
Spheres interact through
 Definition
cycles
Term
An cycle is the
 Definition
continuous process by which
matter and materials are circulated or recycled
throughout the Earth
Term
Cycles are
 Definition
repetitious and recur, sometimes
over specified periods of time
Term
Matter and materials are transferred from one
reservoir to another and are sometimes
changed in the process
 Definition
Term
How does the hydrologic cycle effects it surroundings?
 Definition
glaciers, clouds, lakes, flowing water, oceans, ocean currents, ground water
Term
The Rock Cycle
 Definition
The loop that illustrates the processes by
which one rock changes to another
– Defines the various processes and paths by
which solid Earth materials change on the
surface and within Earth’s interior
Term
[image]
 Definition
Term
[image]
 Definition
Term
[image]
 Definition
Term
Interface Between The
 Definition
Hydrologic And Rock Cycle
Term
Process of this interface:
 Definition
Weathering breaks apart rock
Running water moves rock material
deposition of sediments
ground water percoates through sediment depositing sediment
Term
Where is the interface between the hydrologic and rock cycle?
 Definition
Mostly on ground that travels to sea.
Term
Hydrologic cycle that does not interface with the rock cycle is in the process through
 Definition
Evapuration
condensation
precipitation
Term
Earth Systems Powered By
 Definition
By Heat Engines
Term
Heat Engine
 Definition
converts thermal energy into
kinetic energy (motion)
Term
example of heat engine
 Definition
a car
Term
External Heat Engine
 Definition
powered by
the Sun that drives the earth’s fluid
envelopes
Term
Example of external heat engine
 Definition
atmosphere and hydrosphere
Term
Internal Heat Engine
 Definition
is powered by
geothermal heat that drives cycles within the
solid Earth
Term
ex internal heat engine
 Definition
– Rock cycle
– Tectonic cycle that moves lithospheric plates and
recycles earth materials
Term
Earth is a
 Definition
dynamic planet with interacting
parts or spheres
Term
Earth System Science
 Definition
Aims to study Earth as a system composed
of numerous interacting parts or
subsystems
– Employs an interdisciplinary approach to
solve global environmental problems
Term
What is a system:
 Definition
Any size group of interacting parts that
form a complex whole
Term
A system comprises
 Definition
any number of
subsystems or cycles
Term
Matter and energy are stored and
retrieved
 Definition
Term
Energy can be
 Definition
transformed from one type
to another
Term
ex?
 Definition
potential to kinetic energy
Term
Open system
 Definition
Energy and matter flow into and out of
system
Term
Closed system:
 Definition
System shut off from surrounding
environment
Term
Self contained in that
 Definition
energy and/or matter
does not enter or leave the system
Term
leaf as a
 Definition
natural open system
Term
Energy and matter flow into
and out of the system
 Definition
Ocean as an open system
Term
Earth is an
 Definition
open system for
energy but a closed system to
matter: Although energy
enters and leaves earth freely,
virtually no matter is
exchanged between earth and
the universe
Term
Time Scales Of Interaction
 Definition
Term
ATMOSPHERE:
 Definition
Seconds to Days
Term
OCEANS
 Definition
Hours to Centuries
Term
EARTH
 Definition
Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Movement of Continents and Opening
of Ocean Basins
Term
Earthquakes and Volcanoes
 Definition
Seconds
to Days
Term
Movement of Continents and Opening
of Ocean Basins
 Definition
Millions of Years
Term
Negative feedback
 Definition
maintains the status
quo
Term
Positive feedback
 Definition
enhances or drives
changes
Term
Negative feedback (flow chart that circles, starting clockwise)
 Definition
Increase in cloud formation
increases Earth’s albedo as
more solar energy is reflected
back into space
Higher albedo causes surface
temperatures to decrease slightly
Lower temperatures cause decreased
evaporation in oceans
Fewer low clouds in the atmosphere
More solar energy absorbed on
Earth’s surface
Surface temperature
increases slightly
Increased evaporation in
oceans
Cloud formation increases
Term
postive feed back (it's in a circle)
 Definition
temperature-> permafrost thaw -> C02 and methane released into atmosphere
Temp continues to rise
Term
Most systems maintain
 Definition
structure and character
over time
Term
Steady-state condition
 Definition
Energy and material in the system remains balanced
over time
Conditions are constant or recur
Term
Steady-state equilibrium
 Definition
Rates of inputs and outputs in the system are equal
– Amounts of energy and matter in storage are constant
or fluctuate around a stable average
Term
Dynamic Equilibrium
 Definition
Steady-state system demonstrates a changing
trend over time
– System operations may gradually be
increasing or decreasing over time
Term
Systems try to
 Definition
resist abrupt change
Term
However, a system may reach a
 Definition
threshold,
beyond which it can no longer maintain its
character
Term
Ex:
 Definition
– Abrupt landslide
– Sudden collapse of ice shelf
– Extinction of a species
Term
How old is earth:
 Definition
4.57 billion years approx
Term
http://www.uamont.edu/facultyweb/edson/geolog3.jpg
 Definition
Term
[image]
 Definition
Term
[image]
 Definition
Term
[image]
 Definition
Term
[image]
 Definition
Term
[image]
 Definition
Term
[image]
 Definition
Term
[image]
 Definition
Term
[image]
 Definition
Term
[image]
 Definition
Term
[image]
 Definition
Term
EARTH SYSTEMS
 Definition
– Mass
– Energy
– Time
Term
INTERACTION OVER TIME
BETWEEN MASS
 Definition
CHEMISTRY IS
USED TO
DETERMINE
COMPOSITION
AND
PROPERTIES OF
MASS
Term
INTERACTION OVER TIME
BETWEEN ENERGY
 Definition
PHYSICS IS
USED TO
TRACE
THE TRANSFER
PROCESS OF
ENERGY
Term
PRESSURE
 Definition
P
Term
Temp
 Definition
T
Term
Volume
 Definition
V
Term
Composition =
 Definition
Mass
Term
Composition (variable)
 Definition
M
Term
Density
 Definition
p=M/V
Term
Heat
 Definition
Q
Term
Heat capacity
 Definition
C=Q/M/T
Term
Force
 Definition
F
Term
Mass
 Definition
A measure of the quantity of matter
in a body, typically in units of grams,
kilograms, etc.
Term
Mass of an object is measured
relative to the
 Definition
known mass of a
standard using a balance
Term
Weight is a
 Definition
measurement (e.g. pounds, tons)
of the gravitational force acting on an object
Term
H is the
 Definition
most abundant element in the universe
Term
He is the
 Definition
second most abundant in the universe
Term
Elements of Importance on Earth
 Definition
Iron 56Fe26
Oxygen 16O8
Silicon 28Si14
Magnesium24Mg12
Aluminum 27Al13
Term
Elements of importance in Oceans
 Definition
Hydrogen 1H1
Oxygen 16O8
Sodium 23Na11
Chlorine 35Cl17
Term
Elements of importance in atmosphere
 Definition
Nitrogen 14N7
Oxygen 16O8
Hydrogen 1H1
Term
How to read the complex element numbers/form
 Definition
Mass
Element
Protons
Term
Average Abundances for the Entire
Solid Earth
 Definition
Mg, Fe, Ni, Si, O, S
Term
Mg
 Definition
an abundant metal in earth
Term
Fe and Ni
 Definition
Iron and nickle abundant in core
Term
Si
 Definition
3rd most abundant element
Term
O
 Definition
Oxygen most abundant element
Term
S
 Definition
abundant in the core
Term
Average Abundances in Earth’s
Crust
 Definition
H, Na, Mg, K, Ca, Fe, Al, Si, O
Term
Abundant metals in earth crust
 Definition
H, Na, Mg, K, Ca
Term
Iron
 Definition
most abundant transition metal
Term
Si
 Definition
second most abundant
Term
al
 Definition
third most abundant
Term
O
 Definition
most abundant
Term
Substances of Importance
 Definition
Term
Solid Earth
 Definition
Iron Fe
Periodtite- MguFevSixOx
Basalt - MguFevSixOx
Granite- CauNavAlxSiyOz
Term
Oceans
 Definition
Water H2O
Salt NaCl
Term
atmosphere
 Definition
Nitrogen N2
Oxygen O2
Water H2O
Term
Energy is a
 Definition
measure of the capacity
for doing work
Term
Heat is a
 Definition
form of energy
Term
Earth’s Energy Sources From The Inside And Outside
 Definition
Lava, sun, moon, oceans, earthquakes etc
Term
Types of Heat
 Definition
SENSIBLE and latent
Term
SENSIBLE HEAT:
 Definition
Heat that we feel
Term
latent heat:
 Definition
Heat that is absorbed or released due to phase changes (e.g. liquid water freezes to ice)
Term
Heat is transferred in three ways:
 Definition
Conduction
– Convection
– Radiation
Term
Molecules on hot
end are
 Definition
rapidly
vibrating (high
kinetic energy)
Term
Molecules on cooler end
 Definition
have lower kinetic energy
Term
Heat transferred
through
 Definition
collisions between molecules
Term
Convection
 Definition
Heat transferred
through movement of
material due to
temperature differences
Term
Two Ways To Think Of Radiation
 Definition
Photons and electromagnetic waves
Term
Photons
 Definition
Discrete bundles (or
quantums) of electromagnetic
(or light) energy
Term
shorter wave
 Definition
the higher the energey
Term
longer the wave
 Definition
the lower the energy
Term
Properties of Waves
 Definition
Reflection
Term
Reflection
 Definition
Waves bounce off the interface between
two different materials
Term
Refraction
 Definition
The bending of waves while passing
from one substance into another due to
changes in the wave velocity
Term
Diffraction
 Definition
The breaking up of a ray of light into
dark and light bands or colors of the
spectrum
Term
Remote-sensing
technology
measures and
monitors Earth’s
 Definition
systems at various
wavelengths from
orbiting spacecraft,
aircraft in the
atmosphere, and
ground-based
sensors
Term
What is Remote Sensing?
 Definition
Remote sensing is the science of acquiring
information about the Earth's surface
without actually being in contact with it.
This is done by sensing and recording
reflected or emitted energy and
processing, analyzing, and applying that
information.
Term
Radiation absorbed and emitted by
Earth materials can be measured by
 Definition
airborne instruments and satellites
Term
Instruments on board can measure
 Definition
certain narrow bands of the
electromagnetic spectrum:
Term
Visible range ex
 Definition
aerial photography
Term
outside the visible range ex
 Definition
UV, infrared, microwave
Term
Active Remote Sensing
 Definition
directs beam of
energy at a surface and analyze energy
reflected back
Term
radar transmiter
 Definition
emits short bursts of energy
towards the surface and receiver analyzes
energy reflected back
Term
Passive Remote Sensing
 Definition
records energy
radiated from a surface:
– Landsat satellites
– NOAA weather satellites
– NASA Earth Observing System (EOS)
Term
Geographic Information
Systems (GIS)
 Definition
Computer-based, data-processing tool for
gathering, manipulating, and analyzing
geographic information
Term
Earth and human phenomena can be
analyzed spatially and over time:
 Definition
– Mapping the spread of diseases
– Population changes over time
– Land use
– Geology and Earth resources
Term
Force
 Definition
That which tends to put stationary
objects in motion or changes the
motions of moving objects
• Force has both magnitude and
direction
Term
Equation for force
 Definition
Force = Mass x Acceleration
Term
Forces that affect Earth’s materials from the inside and outside
 Definition
atmosphere pressure, gravity from sun and moon, wind and ocean currents, gravity from earth, tectonic forces within earth
Term
Earth’s rotation causes
 Definition
it to flatten at the
poles and bulge at the equator:
Term
Earth’s radius
 Definition
greater at the equator than at
the poles
Term
gravitational acceleration is
 Definition
less at the equator (9.78 m/s2) than at the
poles (9.83 m/s2) for two reasons
Term
gravitational acceleration is less at the equator (9.78 m/s2) than at the
poles (9.83 m/s2) for two reasons
 Definition
– Centrifugal force greater at equator
– Earth’s surface further from center of gravity
at the equator than at the poles
Term
The Geoid
 Definition
The geoid is a representation of sea level
and is distorted relative to a perfect
spheroid formed solely by Earth’s rotation
Term
Differences in the height of the geoid
 Definition
relative to the perfect spheroid, are caused
by density differences below Earth’s
surface
Term
Sea level is
 Definition
not uniform everywhere, but
varies in height due to density differences
of materials below Earth’s surface (gravity
effect)
Term
Variations In Height Of The Geoid Relative To A Perfect
Ellipsoid
 Definition
Higher density in oceans, lower near lands
Term
[image]
 Definition
Term
What type of reasoning involves the collection and direct analysis of data without making predictions?
 Definition
induction
Term
A theory is NOT as well tested as a hypothesis T or F
 Definition
F
Term
Energy enters and leaves planet Earth whereas matter does not. Earth is therefore a(n) _________ system with respect to energy and __________ with respect to matter.
 Definition
Open/closed
Term
Earth's internal heat comes largely from.
 Definition
Fission of radioactive elements like uranium
Term
____________ is when a steady-state system exhibits a changing trend over time such as in the case of global warming.
 Definition
Dynamic equilibrium
Term
____ is a measure of the quantity of matter in an object and usually expressed as grams and kilograms
 Definition
Mass
Term
Which of the following statements about elemental abundances is TRUE?
 Definition
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe
Term
All radiation has the same amount of energy regardless of wavelength.
 Definition
F
Term
Which of the following is an example of force?
 Definition
.
Gravitational pull on the Earth by the Moon and Sun
Term
Different map layers can be overlain and compared within a geographic information system.
 Definition
T
Term
A radar transmitter on a satellite orbiting Earth can emit short bursts of energy towards Earth's surface in order to study the atmosphere, oceans, and landforms. This is an example of _______
 Definition
Active remote sensing
Term
Which of the following statements best describes Earth's geoid?
 Definition
Surface representation of sea level that is distorted relative to a perfect ellipsoid
Supporting users have an ad free experience!