Exam Review Flashcards
(34 cards)
Geology
Study of the Characteristics and history of the Earth
Scientific method
Method for identifying a problem and coming up with and testing solutions to explain how the physical universe works
Earth’s age
4.54 Billion years old
Geologic time
million and billions of years
Uniformitarianism
The process we see in the Earth today happened in the past
Origin of Universe
Big Bang Theory: Explosion and expansion from a singularity
Origin of Solar system
Solar Nebula Theory: Rotating cloud of gas collapsed because of a shockwave
Hubble’s Law
Galaxies are receding at a velocity proportional to their distance from us
Earth’s Chemical Layers
Crust, Mantle, Core
Earth’s physical layers
Lithosphere: crust and upper mantle Asthenosphere: Upper mantle: plasticy Lower mantle: solid Outer core: Liquid: Created magnetic field Inner core: solid
Mineral
Naturally occurring inorganic Crystalline solid narrowly defined chemical comp Characteristic physical properties
Matter
substance of which any physical object consists or is composed
Electron structure
ring 1 - 2
ring 2 - 8
ring 3 - 8
Ionic bonding
Electron is lost or gained and atom becomes an ion
Cation = +
Anion = -
Covalent bonding
Atoms share electrons
Metallic bonding
Electrons migrate among atoms of other like metals
Van der Waals
Weak attractive force between neutral atoms3
Only really graphite
Isotope
Variation in number of neutrons
Radioactive decay
Atom releases energy to return to natural state
Rock forming Mineral
(O)ld (Si)lly (A)unt (Fe)y (C)an (N)ever (K)iss (M)en
Silicates
Si-O tetrahedron
Dark silicates = Ferromagnesian minerals
Light silicates = Non-Ferromagnesian minerals
Non-Silicates
Oxides Sulfides Sulfates Halides Carbonates Native Elements
How minerals form
Solidification from a melt (most common) Precipitation from a solution Solid state alteration Biomineralization Chemical alteration
Gemstones
Perfect Mineral that has special value