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physics
conceptual physical science
Questions and Answers of
Conceptual Physical Science
Two isolated rock outcrops share a few similar characteristics—sequence of layers, mineralogy, and certain fossil communities—but not all layers are present. The rocks are separated by 300 km.
In a sequence of sedimentary rock layers, the youngest layer is found at the bottom and the oldest layer at the top. What does this type of layering signify?
What is the difference between a nonconformity and an angular unconformity?
Two isolated rock outcrops that share similar characteristics—sequence of layers and fossil communities—are separated by 50 km. Could these two outcrops be related? What principle helps to
If we divide a number by 2, and then divide the result by 2, and so on indefinitely, the answer will never be zero. Why, then, is carbon dating useful only for materials that are no older than about
Which isotopes are most appropriate for dating rocks from the following ages: (a) early Precambrian time, (b) the Mesozoic era, and (c) the late Pleistocene epoch?
Has the amount of uranium in Earth increased over geologic time? Has the amount of lead in Earth increased?
Before the discovery of radioactivity, how did geologists estimate the age of rock layers?
In the geologic time scale, which time division represents the greatest span of time?
What is the basis for the divisions of the geologic time scale?
What factors are believed to have contributed to the generation of free oxygen during the late Precambrian? In what way did the increase in oxygen affect our planet?
Before entering the atmosphere, where did much of the newly released oxygen end up during the Precambrian?
Name the eons in Precambrian time. Describe each eon, using no more than three words.
How did the Precambrian atmosphere become nitrogen-enriched?
What important life forms evolved during the Cenozoic era?
What is the significance of the large, out-of-place boulders that are sometimes found in glacial deposits?
In the continental United States, what type of glacier is more common: alpine or continental?
What are glacial striations?
Which of the three agents of transportation—wind, water, and ice—transports the largest boulders? Why?
Which of the three agents of transportation—water, ice, and wind—transports only small rocks?
How are sand dunes formed?
Wind erosion is more likely in an arid environment than in a more humid environment. What other factors might impede wind erosion?
Which agents of erosion are assisted by the force of gravity? Give examples.
How does an increase in stream gradient and discharge affect a stream’s sediment load?
Fresh drinking water is a precious resource. As water is depleted from the ground and from streams and rivers, what other resources can be tapped to get fresh water?
With global warming and melting of the polar ice caps, how will sea level be affected?
With increased development and the growth of cities, the natural landscape is replaced by roads, buildings, housing developments, and parking lots. What overall effect can this have on a river and
What is relative dating?
A granitic dike is found across a sandstone layer. What can be said about the relative ages of the dike and the sandstone? What principle applies here?
What six principles are used in relative dating? Describe each one.
Why don’t all rock formations show a continuous sequence from the beginning of time to the present?
How are fossils used in determining geologic time?
In a sequence of sedimentary rock layers, the oldest layer is on the bottom and the youngest layer is at the top. What relative dating principle applies here?
Explain how fossils of fishes and other marine animals are found at high elevations, such as the Himalayas.
What is radioactive half-life?
What are the half-lives of uranium-238, potassium-40, and carbon-14?
What isotope is preferred for use in dating very old rocks?
What isotope is commonly used for dating sediments or organic material from the late Pleistocene?
Which of the geologic time units spans the greatest length of time?
How old is Earth?
What key developments in life occurred during Precambrian time?
What evidence do we have of Precambrian life?
What group evolved from the amphibians with the arrival of the amniote egg?
By what informal name is the Mesozoic era known?
What is the most likely cause of the Cretaceous extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs?
What effect did the breakup of Pangaea have on sea level?
How is the element iridium related to the time of dinosaur extinction?
Which epochs make up the Tertiary period? The Quaternary period?
In what area of the United States do we find rich coal deposits?
During what time period were most coal deposits laid down? Why was this period unique?
Why do many geologists consider the lobe-finned fishes especially significant?
Why are internal nostrils in the lobe-finned fishes an important step in the evolution of life on Earth?
What life forms are associated with the Devonian period?
What life form emerged in the Silurian period?
Name the periods of the Paleozoic era.
The Paleozoic era experienced several fluctuations in sea level. What effect did this have on life forms?
How do deposits from glacial ice differ from rocks deposited by rivers?
What well-known landscapes have been carved by glaciers?
How is a roche moutonnée different from a drumlin?
How does a glacier decrease in size?
How does a glacier grow in size?
What is basal sliding?
What is a glacial surge, and how does it happen?
Does all the ice in a glacier move at the same speed? Explain.
Why do crevasses form on the surfaces of glaciers?
What distinguishes a huge block of ice from a glacier?
How does “frictional drag” play a role in the external movement of a glacier? How does this drag affect the internal movement?
In terms of size, what kinds of sediments are generally found at the headwater area of a stream? How about the mouth of a stream?
Streams transport great amounts of sediment. Then as stream flow slows, these sediments are deposited. What are these deposited sediments called, and how are they laid out?
Why is surface water both a creator and a destroyer of sediments and sedimentary rocks?
Do you think a stream with laminar flow can become turbulent without the volume of water increasing in the stream? Defend your answer.
What causes the formation of distributaries off the main channel of a river delta?
In the formation of a river delta, why are larger particles deposited first, followed by smaller particles farther out? Defend your answer.
Why do point bars form on the inside bends of meandering streams?
What are some possible sources of stream flow?
What three variables influence the speed of stream flow?
Generally speaking, where is streamflow fastest: in a rounded and deep channel, or in a wide and shallow channel?
In the United States, the Continental Divide follows the spine of the Rocky Mountains through five states: Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. Which basin—Pacific or
Must a stream’s speed increase in order for it to carry more sediment? Explain.
If discharge is held constant and the width of the stream channel decreases, what happens to stream speed? What effect will this have on the stream channel’s depth?
What happens to stream speed if the discharge in a stream doubles while the channel remains the same size and shape?
What is channel geometry?
As runoff into streams increases, which variables of stream flow increase?
Removal of groundwater can cause subsidence. If removal of groundwater is stopped, is the land likely to rise again to its original level? Defend your answer.
Describe the formation of stalactites.
How does rainwater naturally become acidic? How does this affect limestone?
Why do we find folded and fractured rock layers in zones of regional metamorphism?
How is foliation different from sedimentary layering?
Cite two examples of sedimentary rocks that provide information about past geologic events at Earth’s surface.
Are underground rivers ever found in nature? Defend your answer.
What is a sinkhole? What factors contribute to its formation?
What is a perched water table?
What are low-permeability rocks? Do they make good aquifers?
Which is better for transmitting fluid: quartz sandstone or quartzite? Explain.
In an unconfined aquifer, how high can water rise in a well that is not pumped?
In a confined aquifer, water in a well can rise above the top of the aquifer. What is this system called?
In an aquifer, if the water table next to a stream is lower than the water level in the stream, does groundwater flow into the stream or does stream water flow into the ground? Explain.
Is water in the unsaturated zone called groundwater? Why or why not?
How is the local hydrologic cycle affected by the practice of drawing drinking water from a river and then returning sewage to the same river?
Why does the atmosphere have a short residence time whereas glaciers have a very long residence time?
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