The classification of rocks into igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks is a genetic classification. Create a descriptive classification of rocks
Compare that classification system to the genetic one. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of each system.
What will be an ideal response?
The students will invent some sort of descriptive classification. We suspect classifications based on color and grain size will be common. Other things such as shape or size of the actual rocks may also be suggested.
We suspect that many students will state that two advantages of the descriptive system are: 1) it is descriptive; and 2) it is easy to use. A disadvantage of the descriptive system would be the lumping together of rocks that have formed in numerous ways. The current system base on origin is more difficult for a beginning user because it requires interpretation but it is more useful in understanding how the Earth works.
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Why are there multiple atmospheric cells as air moves from the equator to the poles instead of one
single cell? a. There are variations in the solar radiation. b. There are intermediate precipitation events which break up the air into circulation cells. c. There are variations in the speed of wind. d. The Coriolis effect breaks the air mass into atmospheric cells.
Describe the three processes of energy transfer
What will be an ideal response?
In terms of incoming solar radiation (insolation), which is the correct order?
A) troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere B) thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, troposphere C) mesosphere, thermosphere, troposphere, stratosphere D) stratosphere, troposphere, thermosphere, mesosphere
The hypsometric curve shows sea level. What would happen if you raised (lowered) sea level by 1 kilometer?
a) Raising and lowering sea level would inundate or expose about the same amount of the Earth's surface. b) Raising sea level would inundate most of the continental lowlands, but lowering sea level would expose a much smaller area. c) The percentage of land and ocean would remain about the same. d) Both raising and lowering would expose more land. e) Raising sea level by that amount would cover all land, and lowering by the same amount would expose most of the ocean bottom.