Midterm Review Part 1

Front

What is the process that is responsible for plate movement on the surface of the Earth?

Back

Convection is the process that drives the movement of tectonic plates due to the heat from the Earth's interior.

Front

What happened to the water vapor in the early atmosphere?

Back

The water vapor condensed to form the oceans.

Front

What type of weathering is caused by water hitting rocks and making them round and smooth?

Back

Mechanical weathering, specifically abrasion, is caused by the physical action of water on rocks.

Front

What is the dependent variable in an experiment?

Back

The dependent variable is the variable that is measured or observed in an experiment, often affected by changes in the independent variable.

Front

In the rock cycle, where is metamorphic rock typically found?

Back

Metamorphic rock is found in location C in the rock cycle.

Front

Define convection in the context of geology.

Back

Convection is the transfer of heat through a fluid (liquid or gas) caused by the movement of the fluid itself, which can lead to the movement of tectonic plates.

Front

What is the difference between mechanical and chemical weathering?

Back

Mechanical weathering involves the physical breakdown of rocks without changing their chemical composition, while chemical weathering involves changes in the minerals within the rocks.

Front

What is isostasy?

Back

Isostasy is the state of gravitational equilibrium between the Earth's crust and mantle, where the crust floats on the denser, underlying mantle.

Front

What is the independent variable in an experiment?

Back

The independent variable is the variable that is changed or controlled in an experiment to test its effects on the dependent variable.

Front

What is abrasion in the context of weathering?

Back

Abrasion is the process of wearing down rocks and other surfaces through friction and impact, often caused by wind, water, or ice.