GLG101: Introduction to Geology I (Physical)
Spring 2003
Professor Matt Fouch
Study Guide for Exam #1
In this first part of the course,
we covered the Prelude, Chapters 1-5, and Interlude A. The most important facts and concepts for
you to know and understand are listed below. The exam will be in-class, closed
everything, with multiple choice and true/false questions. You will not be allowed to wear hats or
sunglasses (unless prescribed by a doctor).
Please remember to bring your ASU ID and a Number 2 pencil on exam day.
Ø
What is Geology? (Prelude)
- Know the difference between and examples of
hypothesis, theory, and law.
- What makes a good theory?
- Know the reasoning of the scientific method.
- What is uniformitarianism?
Ø
Cosmology and Birth of Earth (Chapter 1)
- What are the three primary hypotheses for solar
system formation? (nebular, collisional, protoplanet). Know a bit about each hypothesis.
- What are the 2 types of planets in our solar
system? What are examples of each?
- Why is the core made of dense iron and the mantle and
crust made of less dense silicates?
- How old is Earth?
- In our solar system, what % of the mass is contained
within the Sun?
Ø
Journey to the Center of the Earth (Chapter 2)
- Why does Earth have a magnetic field? (Convection in
the outer core)
- What % of Earth’s atmosphere is oxygen? What % is nitrogen?
- Know the relative % of Earth’s surface covered by
mountains, continental interiors, continental shelves, ocean floor, and
deep trenches.
- Know the relative abundance of the major elements in
both the crust and whole earth
- What are the compositional layers of Earth?
- Know the depths to each of Earth’s major
compositional layers.
- What are the mechanical layers of Earth?
- Why do we have a magnetic field?
- Know the 3 main contributors to Earth’s internal heat
engine.
Ø
Drifting Continents and Spreading Seas (Chapter 3)
- Know the basic ideas behind continental drift and
seafloor spreading.
- Who proposed continental drift?
- What is the fossil evidence for continental drift?
- What is the paleoclimate evidence for continental
drift?
- Why do mid-ocean ridges show symmetric magnetic
stripes?
- Where is most of the world’s youngest crust formed?
Ø
The Way Earth Works: Plate Tectonics (Chapter 4)
- Know the basic evidence for plate tectonics.
- Know the 3 types of plate boundaries (convergent,
divergent, and transform).
- List examples of each type of plate boundary.
- Why do accretionary prisms form?
- Know the locations of the following plates: Pacific, North American, South
American, Eurasian, Nazca, Antarctic, and Indian-Australian.
- What is the supporting evidence for plate tectonics?
- How and why do hotspot volcanoes form?
- What is mantle convection?
Ø
Patterns in Nature: Minerals (Chapter 5)
- Why do we care about minerals?
- Define the terms "rock" and
"mineral" and explain their differences
- Have a general understanding of atomic mass and
atomic number
- What are cations and anions?
- Explain how atoms are involved with the structure of
minerals (size, charge)
- What is the importance of pressure and temperature in
formation of minerals?
- Describe how minerals form (crystallization,
recrystallization in solid state, precipitation)
- Describe the main structures of silicate minerals
(isolated, single chain, double chain, sheet, etc.)
- What are the physical properties of minerals?
- we covered: cleavage, fracture & habit, luster,
hardness, density, color & streak
Ø
Rock Groups (Interlude A)
- What are the three major rock groups?
- What is the source material for each of these groups?
- What is the process by which each of these groups
forms?
- What weathering processes contribute to the formation
of sedimentary rocks?
- What is lithification?
- What are the two main types of metamorphism?
- Know the concept of the rock cycle