EXAM 1
1. What is a mineral? A mineral is a naturally-occurring, inargonaic, crystalline solid with a definite chemical composition and characteristic physical properties.
2. What are eight chemical elements that make up over 99 percent of Earth’s crust? Oxygen (O), Silicon (Si), Aliminum (Al), Iron (Fe), Calcium (Ca), Sodium (Ca), Potassium (Na), Magnesium (K)
3. What are six fundamental geologic principles which are used in relative dating? Superposition, original horizontality, lateral continuity, cross-cutting relationships, inclusions, fossil succession.
4. What are three major groups of rocks? Sedimentary, metamorphic, Igneous.
5. What is the difference between a rock and a mineral? A rock is an aggregate of minerals. Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic, crystalline solids that have definite physical and chemical properties.
6. How does relative dating differ from absolute dating? Relative dating involves placing events in sequential order. Absolute dating results in specific dates for events, expressed in years before the present.
7. The time necessary for half of the atoms of the unstable parent element to decay to the new, more stable daughter is the isotopes, HALF LIFE.
8. A surface of discontinuity representing a break in the depositional record or a discontinuity representing erosion or nondeposition is a UNCONFORMITY.
9. Earth formed 4.6 billion years ago.
10. Where divergent plate boundaries form beneath continental masses, low areas known as RIFT VALLEYS form.
11. An interval of geologic time not represented by strata in a particular are is a HIATUS.
12. The two basic types of luster are METALLIC and NONMETALLIC
13. The three types of convergent boundaries are OCEANIC-OCEANIC, OCEANIC-CONTINENTAL, CONTINENTAL- CONTINENTAL.
14. At a mid-ocean ridge spreading center, what happens? The plates are moving away from each other.
15. What principle states that in an undisturbed succession of sedimentary