STUDY GUIDE FOR TEST 2

 


		Chapter 5:  The Solar System

	Terms to know:	comparative planetology
				density
				Terrestrial planets
				Jovian planets

	Review Questions:	1.  Compare and contrast the basic properties of the terrestrial and 				     	     the Jovian planets.

				2.  List the planets, in proper order, starting with the nearest to the 					     Sun and ending with the farthest.

				3.  Describe the overall layout of the solar system.



























		Chapter 6:  The Earth - Moon  System
	
	Terms to know:	Crust
				Mantle
				Core
				Silicates
				Igneous rocks
				Sedimentary rocks
				Metamorphic rocks
				lithosphere
				asthenosphere
				differentiation
				plate tectonics
				convection
				troposphere
				stratosphere
				mesosphere
				greenhouse effect
				Coriolis effect
				geomagnetism
				solar wind
				magnetosphere
				Van Allen belts
				regolith
				highlands
				maria
				craters
				sinuous rilles
				Apollo 11
				spring tides
				neap tides














	Review Questions:  1.  How is the presence of life believed to have changed the Earth?

			        2.  What qualities make the Earth hospitable for life?

			        3. Draw a sketch roughly illustrating the structure of the Earth's 					 interior (no numbers necessary).

			        4.  What is the difference between S and P waves?

			       5.  Describe how seismic waves are used to probe the Earth's interior.

			       6.  Describe the origin of the force driving the motion of the 					            continents in plate tectonics.
			       7.  Describe how interactions between plates creates landforms on the  				 surface such as faults and mountain ranges.

			     8.  Describe how geologists obtain estimates of both relative ages and
				absolute ages for rocks.

			      9.  Describe the structure of the Earth's atmosphere (no numbers 					needed).

			    10.  What is the origin of the greenhouse effect?

			    11.  How does the Coriolis effect create cyclones?

		  	    12.  Describe the dynamo theories that explain the origin of 						geomagnetism.

			    13.  Describe the origin of tides.

			    14.  Why is there a difference between neap and spring tides?

			    15.  Why are almost all lunar craters round in shape?

			    16.  Compare and contrast the maria and highlands.

			    17.  Draw a sketch roughly illustrating the structure of the lunar
				     interior (no numbers necessary).
  				
		    	    18.   Outline the commonly accepted geological history of the Moon.




		Chapter 7:  The Terrestrial Planets
	Terms to know:	Intercrater plains
				scarps
				coronas
				Runaway Greenhouse effect
				Olympus Mons
				Tharsis bulge
				Valles Marineris
	Review Questions:	
				1.  Describe the 2 to 3 spin-orbit coupling exhibited by Mercury.

				2.  Compare and contrast the Moon and Mercury.

				3.  Explain the likely origin of scarps.

				4.  What is the evidence that Mercury has a large metal core?

				5.  How did astronomers finally determine the rotation rate of 					     Mercury?

				6.  Compare and contrast the Earth and Venus.

			  	7.  Why is radar necessary to observe the surface of Venus from 					     the Earth or from orbit?

				8.  Describe the two basic terrain types on Venus.

				9.  How are coronas believed to have formed?  		

				10.  Describe the current state of the atmosphere of Venus.

				11.  Why is Venus so hot?

				12.   Compare and contrast Mars and the Earth.

				13.  Describe the two basic terrain types on Mars.

				14.  What is the evidence that liquid water once flowed on Mars?
				      Can liquid water exist there currently?  Why or why not?	

			           15.  How did the Valles Marineris form?

			            16.  Describe the current state of the Martian atmosphere.

			            17.  Why is Mars so cold?