Soil and Geology - AP Environmental Science
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Geologist study how natural resources are formed and used. What is the slowest and largest cycle that forms soils and igneous materials in the Earth's crust over time?
Geologist study how natural resources are formed and used. What is the slowest and largest cycle that forms soils and igneous materials in the Earth's crust over time?
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The correct response is rock cycle_._This cycle takes millions of years, and forms soil and rocks within the Earth's crust. Igneous materials are one of the 3 types of rocks.
The correct response is rock cycle_._This cycle takes millions of years, and forms soil and rocks within the Earth's crust. Igneous materials are one of the 3 types of rocks.
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Examine the given block diagram. Each letter represents a depositional event or a period of erosion. Place the letters in order from the oldest to youngest event.

Examine the given block diagram. Each letter represents a depositional event or a period of erosion. Place the letters in order from the oldest to youngest event.
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The law of superposition states that the oldest rock layers are at the bottom. A real world example of this often takes place while cooking. When making a seven-layer dip, for instance, you place the oldest layer on the bottom of the dish and stack layers on top. The layer on top is the youngest. The earth is made of rock layers deposited in a similar way.
E represents a period of erosion, meaning there is "missing time" (rock layers have been eroded, so there are no rocks representing that time).

The law of superposition states that the oldest rock layers are at the bottom. A real world example of this often takes place while cooking. When making a seven-layer dip, for instance, you place the oldest layer on the bottom of the dish and stack layers on top. The layer on top is the youngest. The earth is made of rock layers deposited in a similar way.
E represents a period of erosion, meaning there is "missing time" (rock layers have been eroded, so there are no rocks representing that time).

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Geological time scales are used to measure spans of time. In terms of geological time scales, which category represents the smallestlength of time?
Geological time scales are used to measure spans of time. In terms of geological time scales, which category represents the smallestlength of time?
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The correct response is period. This would be the smallest measurement of time given the answer choices.
The order from longest to shortest is shown here: Supereon > Eon > Era > Period
The correct response is period. This would be the smallest measurement of time given the answer choices.
The order from longest to shortest is shown here: Supereon > Eon > Era > Period
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Geological time scales are used to measure spans of time. In terms of geological time scales, which category represents the longest length of time?
Geological time scales are used to measure spans of time. In terms of geological time scales, which category represents the longest length of time?
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The correct response is era because it represents longer periods of time on the geological time scale. The answer choicest from longest to shortest are as follows: Era > Period > Epoch > Age.
The correct response is era because it represents longer periods of time on the geological time scale. The answer choicest from longest to shortest are as follows: Era > Period > Epoch > Age.
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Which of the following rock types is a result of the rapid cooling of magma?
Which of the following rock types is a result of the rapid cooling of magma?
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The three main rock types are sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic. Sedimentary rock is the result of the build up of sediment, such as sand or dirt. Igneous rocks are the result of the cooling of lava and molten rock, and can be crystalline in structure. Metamorphic rock is the compression of igneous and/or sedimentary rock, creating a new type of rock from intense pressure. Metamorphic rock comprises the majority of the Earth's crust.
The three main rock types are sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic. Sedimentary rock is the result of the build up of sediment, such as sand or dirt. Igneous rocks are the result of the cooling of lava and molten rock, and can be crystalline in structure. Metamorphic rock is the compression of igneous and/or sedimentary rock, creating a new type of rock from intense pressure. Metamorphic rock comprises the majority of the Earth's crust.
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Which of the following pairs of terms best identifies the two types of igneous rock?
Which of the following pairs of terms best identifies the two types of igneous rock?
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Igneous rocks are divided into two types: intrusive and extrusive. Intrusive means that the rock cooled inside the earth and these rocks are usually large-grained. Extrusive means that the rock cooled outside the earth and is usually fine-grained (volcanic rock).
Igneous rocks are divided into two types: intrusive and extrusive. Intrusive means that the rock cooled inside the earth and these rocks are usually large-grained. Extrusive means that the rock cooled outside the earth and is usually fine-grained (volcanic rock).
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A scientist is examining two pebbles of a similar composition lying next to each other in a stream. One has a smooth, polished texture, while the other is angular with sharp edges. The differences in surface texture can indicate which of the following regarding the distance each pebble has traveled?
A scientist is examining two pebbles of a similar composition lying next to each other in a stream. One has a smooth, polished texture, while the other is angular with sharp edges. The differences in surface texture can indicate which of the following regarding the distance each pebble has traveled?
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As rocks travel further from the original outcrop, bumps and abrasions round corners and polish the rock.
As rocks travel further from the original outcrop, bumps and abrasions round corners and polish the rock.
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Which of the following factors can cause a sedimentary rock to change into a metamorphic rock?
Which of the following factors can cause a sedimentary rock to change into a metamorphic rock?
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Increasing temperature and pressure—through burial or submersion—causes the minerals that compose the rock to become unstable. This results in recrystallization of the minerals, which forms a new rock.
Increasing temperature and pressure—through burial or submersion—causes the minerals that compose the rock to become unstable. This results in recrystallization of the minerals, which forms a new rock.
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The rock cycle is one of the slowest and largest cycles on the Earth. Which of the following is not a process involved in the rock cycle?
The rock cycle is one of the slowest and largest cycles on the Earth. Which of the following is not a process involved in the rock cycle?
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The correct response is anamorphism . This term has nothing to do with the rock cycle.
The correct response is anamorphism . This term has nothing to do with the rock cycle.
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A sedimentary rock is buried deep within the earth. At a certain depth, the rock melts completely and recrystallizes. Which of the following best identifies what type of rock is formed post recrystallization?
A sedimentary rock is buried deep within the earth. At a certain depth, the rock melts completely and recrystallizes. Which of the following best identifies what type of rock is formed post recrystallization?
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The question indicated that the rock melted completely. When a partially melted rock recrystallizes, it becomes a metamorphic rock; however, when a rock completely melts and any crystallization occurs, it results in the production of an igneous rock.
The question indicated that the rock melted completely. When a partially melted rock recrystallizes, it becomes a metamorphic rock; however, when a rock completely melts and any crystallization occurs, it results in the production of an igneous rock.
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Which of the following best explains the difference between weathering and erosion?
Which of the following best explains the difference between weathering and erosion?
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Weathering is a process that creates sediment. There are physical and chemical weathering processes. On the other hand, erosion is described as a process that transports sediment. Erosion transports sediment through exogenous processes, such as by water or wind.
Weathering is a process that creates sediment. There are physical and chemical weathering processes. On the other hand, erosion is described as a process that transports sediment. Erosion transports sediment through exogenous processes, such as by water or wind.
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In the desert, a rock can experience seasonal cycles of freezing and cooling. The heat of the day causes ice to melt and the cold temperatures at night causes water to freeze and expand inside cracks present in the rock. This example is indicative of which of the following types of weathering?
In the desert, a rock can experience seasonal cycles of freezing and cooling. The heat of the day causes ice to melt and the cold temperatures at night causes water to freeze and expand inside cracks present in the rock. This example is indicative of which of the following types of weathering?
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The freeze-thaw cycle acts like a chisel that produces fractures throughout the rock. Water rests in cracks on the rock’s surface and when it freezes it expands and causes more fractures. Water can then lay in these new fractures and further weather or crack the rock. This example represents a physical weathering process.
The freeze-thaw cycle acts like a chisel that produces fractures throughout the rock. Water rests in cracks on the rock’s surface and when it freezes it expands and causes more fractures. Water can then lay in these new fractures and further weather or crack the rock. This example represents a physical weathering process.
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A stream with lots of pebbles of various shapes and sizes is buried. What type of rock will be created when these pebbles are lithified?
A stream with lots of pebbles of various shapes and sizes is buried. What type of rock will be created when these pebbles are lithified?
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Pebbles of various sizes and shapes will create a sedimentary rock called a conglomerate rock.
Pebbles of various sizes and shapes will create a sedimentary rock called a conglomerate rock.
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What type of rock will form when beach deposits composed of sand and shells are lithified?
What type of rock will form when beach deposits composed of sand and shells are lithified?
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When lithified, sand and shells will create limestone. Limestone is a type of sedimentary rock.
When lithified, sand and shells will create limestone. Limestone is a type of sedimentary rock.
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Which of the following aquatic environments will most likely form shale—a fine-grained sedimentary rock?
Which of the following aquatic environments will most likely form shale—a fine-grained sedimentary rock?
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Shale is a very fine-grained sedimentary rock and it is often composed of clay particles. This means that it has to be deposited into a calm environment with little water movement.
Shale is a very fine-grained sedimentary rock and it is often composed of clay particles. This means that it has to be deposited into a calm environment with little water movement.
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Which of the following statements about the rock cycle is not true?
Which of the following statements about the rock cycle is not true?
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Rocks can transition between sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks. Sedimentary rock forms from the weathering of any rock type. Igneous rock forms from the melting of any rock type. Metamorphic forms from recrystallization (without melting) any type of rock.
Rocks can transition between sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks. Sedimentary rock forms from the weathering of any rock type. Igneous rock forms from the melting of any rock type. Metamorphic forms from recrystallization (without melting) any type of rock.
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Which of the following kinds of rock is most commonly formed in desert environments?
Which of the following kinds of rock is most commonly formed in desert environments?
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Sandstone is created in many environments, however it is most commonly produced in deserts and beaches.
Sandstone is created in many environments, however it is most commonly produced in deserts and beaches.
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Which of the following types of rock forms primarily in the Hawaiian Islands?
Which of the following types of rock forms primarily in the Hawaiian Islands?
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The Hawaiian Islands were formed when hotspots that allowed the mantle to crystallize into igneous rock on the ocean floor. Over time this process created the island chain.
The Hawaiian Islands were formed when hotspots that allowed the mantle to crystallize into igneous rock on the ocean floor. Over time this process created the island chain.
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When a soil scientist measures how well water moves through the soil, what soil property is he/she measuring?
When a soil scientist measures how well water moves through the soil, what soil property is he/she measuring?
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The correct response is permeability. This measure how quickly water can move through any substance - including soil.
The correct response is permeability. This measure how quickly water can move through any substance - including soil.
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During the rock cycle, three types of rocks are created. Which type of rock is formed as magma from the Earth's mantle and crust cools and solidifies?
During the rock cycle, three types of rocks are created. Which type of rock is formed as magma from the Earth's mantle and crust cools and solidifies?
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The correct response is igneous rock. Sedimentary rock is made of various sediments that accumulate over time. Metamorphic rock is made under high pressure, high temp, and/or chemical compounds that alter the crystalline structure, the appearance, and the physical properties of the rock. The other two answer choices are not rock types.
The correct response is igneous rock. Sedimentary rock is made of various sediments that accumulate over time. Metamorphic rock is made under high pressure, high temp, and/or chemical compounds that alter the crystalline structure, the appearance, and the physical properties of the rock. The other two answer choices are not rock types.
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