Physical Science Midterm Review 2024-2025

Front

What geological feature is analyzed to determine the distance of earthquakes from a station?

Back

Seismic wave data is analyzed to determine the distance of earthquakes from a station.

Front

Which sphere of the Earth is primarily composed of water, including oceans, rivers, and lakes?

Back

The hydrosphere is the sphere of the Earth that is primarily composed of water.

Front

What is the term for the area where one tectonic plate slides beneath another?

Back

The area where one tectonic plate slides beneath another is called a subduction zone.

Front

What type of boundary occurs when two tectonic plates move away from each other?

Back

A divergent boundary occurs when two tectonic plates move away from each other.

Front

Which scale is used to measure the hardness of minerals?

Back

The Mohs Hardness Scale is used to measure the hardness of minerals.

Front

What is the definition of the hydrosphere?

Back

The hydrosphere is the combined mass of water found on, under, and above the surface of a planet.

Front

Define a transform boundary in geology.

Back

A transform boundary is a type of fault line where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally.

Front

What is a convergent boundary?

Back

A convergent boundary is where two tectonic plates collide, often forming mountains or causing subduction.

Front

Explain the significance of seismic waves in earthquake studies.

Back

Seismic waves are crucial for understanding the location and magnitude of earthquakes, as they travel through the Earth and can be measured by seismographs.

Front

What is the difference between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere?

Back

The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, while the asthenosphere is a semi-fluid layer beneath it that allows for tectonic plate movement.