Santa Monica College Earth Science

GEOL 1 - Physical Geology

Exam # 2: Study Guide - Spring 2015

exam date: Wednesday, October 21, 2015 - 9:30 AM

Professor: Dr. Alessandro Grippo, Ph.D.
 
General InformationLast Updated  •  October 18, 2015
PLEASE NOTE:
Cellular phones, iPods, Blackberries, Bluetooth, headphones, computers, pocket calculators, dictionaries, translators or, in general, ANY KIND of electronic device CANNOT be used during the test.
All electronic devices MUST BE TURNED OFF: if a cell phone rings, if a light is visible, or a device is on while in class during test time, you will not be allowed to finish your test and your result will be invalidated.

You cannot use any text, manual, note, dictionary, pocket calculator, flash card, or any other source of information except your brain. You will NOT need a ruler for this test.

You will ONLY need to bring:

  1. one Scantron, Form 882-E
  2. a number 2 pencil
  3. an eraser

This study guide must be interpreted (literally) as a guide to the study of the subject and not as a listing of possible questions.
There is no additional information compared to what has been said, discussed, shown, illustrated in class.
It is YOUR personal responsibility to cover the materials listed below on the lecture textbook, on the lab textbook, on the web pages, and on your notes.

I would strongly recommend that you peruse your notes for completeness of information: some information that has been detailed in class is only mentioned briefly on the textbooks, and you are responsible for covering that; know what the key terms and concepts are (see the list at the end of each chapter on both your textbook and your lab manual); exercise with the questions for review also found at the end of each chapter. Review the materials from your quizzes.
Read the summary at the end of each chapter, try to answer review questions, try to work with other fellow students if you find it useful.
Never hesitate to ask me questions in class or during the lab.

A lava flow inthe Mojave desert of California
A basaltic lava flow in the desert of California


 
Textbook chaptersLast Updated  •  October 18, 2015
Please note that all pages and figures references are from the textbook 15th edition

Chapter 2 - Atoms, Elements, and Minerals

  1. Read the Introduction
  2. Know Minerals and Rocks
    (make sure to know the concepts expressed in Figures 2.3 and 2.4, page 28)
  3. Know Atoms and Elements
    Know in particular:
    • Atoms and elements; the atomic structure, why atoms bond, and how (the three kinds of bond)
    • Know about ions, and isotopes (both stable and unstable), atomic number and atomic mass
    • Include section "Earth Systems 2.1" on stable isotopes, page 30
    • Include section "In Greater Depth 2.3" on elements in Earth's crust, page 33
    • Include section "Environmental Geology 2.5" on clay minerals, page 37
    • Know about polar molecules, stable and unstable (radioactive) isotopes
    • Know the eight most abundant element of Earth's crust, and their relative importance
    • Know the main mineral groups present in Earth's crust
    • Know about Crystalline Structures
    • Know about silicon tetrahedra, how they bond, why they are stable or unstable; know what kind of minerals form using silicon tetrahedra (we have seen nine of them)
    • Know Figures 2.10 page 32; 2.11 and 2.12, page 34; 2.13 and 2.14, page 35
    • Know what kind of structure these minerals have, including the ration between Oxygen and Silicon for each of them
    • Know what defines a mineral and the most important ones (beyond silicates)
    • Know at least the chemical formulas of quartz [SiO2], olivine [(FeMg)2SiO4] and calcite [CaCO3]
  4. Know Variations in Mineral Structures and Compositions
  5. Know The Physical Properties of Minerals.
  6. Know The Many Conditions of Mineral Formation
  7. Read section "In Greater Depth 2.8" on the molecule of water, page 46.

  • Review "Terms to remember", page 47
  • Test yourself using the questions on page 48


    Chapter 3 - Igneous Rocks, Intrusive Activity and the Origin of Igneous Rocks

    1. Read the Introduction
    2. Know The Rock Cycle
    3. Know Igneous Rocks
      Among other things:
      • Know Fig. 3.2, page 52
      • Know very well the diagram of Fig. 3.5, page 55
      • Know the section "In Greater Depth 3.1" on Pegmatites, page 57
    4. Know How Magma Forms
    5. Know How Magmas of Different Composition Evolve (including Bowen's reaction series: there WILL be questions on it; study Fig. 3.15, page 63)
    6. Know Intrusive Bodies (both shallow and deep)
    7. Know Abundance and Distribution of Plutonic Rocks
    8. Know Explaining Igneous Activity by Plate Tectonics
      • Know in particular Table 3.2, page 71

    9. Review "Terms to remember", page 75
    10. Test yourself using the questions on page 75

    Chapter 4 - Volcanism and Extrusive Rocks

    1. Read the Introduction
    2. Know What are Volcanoes and why should we study them. Be sure to review Table 4.1, page 82
    3. Know Eruptive Violence and Physical Characteristics of Lava. Know this section very well.
      Make sure to be able to distinguish between effusive and explosive eruptions
    4. Know The Eruptive Products of Volcanoes
    5. Know Types of Volcanoes. Be sure to review Table 4.2, page 91
      Know where the Cascade Mountains (a volcanic arc) are
    6. Know the distribution of volcanoes in relation to plate tectonics (see Figure 4.19, page 94)
    7. ReadLiving with Volcanoes
    8. Know Plate Tectonics and Volcanism

  • Review "Terms to remember", page 103
  • Review "terms Covered in Chapter 3 that are Useful for Chapter 4", page 103
  • Test yourself using the questions on pages 103 and 104



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