Exam 1: Understanding Earth: A Dynamic and Evolving Planet

The two types of crust are ____________________ and ____________________.

Briefly explain the current theory of Earth's origin,including how and why it came to be differentiated by composition.

What are some of the predicted consequences of global warming?

Earth was originally of homogeneous composition.

Any theory that explains the origin of the solar system must also explain the following properties of all or most of the planets: a(n)____________________ direction of rotation and division into ____________________ planets and ____________________ planets,according to their chemical and physical properties.

What is the basic premise of the principle of uniformitarianism?

The Principle of Uniformitarianism is based on the idea that modern processes have operated throughout geologic time.

How is Earth unique among the planets of the solar system?

The crust and the underlying uppermost mantle make up the ____________________.

How have natural resources been important in history?

On what bases are the concentric layers of Earth primarily distinguished?

What is the difference between a rock and a mineral?

In the 19ᵗʰ century,the geologic time scale was first developed using radiometric age dating techniques.

According to the theory of organic evolution,all living organisms are related and they descended,with some modifications,from organisms that lived in the past.

What are the three types of plate boundaries?

Most scientists argue that the greatest environmental problem facing the world today is what?

Identify the terrestrial planets.

According to the Principle of Uniformitarianism,processes have occurred at the same rates throughout geologic time.

What is the name of the method that is used to determine the absolute age of a rock body?

The increasing percentage of heavier elements in the later universe results from nuclear ____________________,during the evolution of ____________________.