Praxis 5005 - Earth Science Exam with
Accurate Solutions
Minerals - ANSWER-Naturally occurring, inorganic crystalline solids with specific
chemical composition
Form from a liquid solution; Crystallization
90% of earth's minerals are silicates - combination of silicon and oxygen
Crystallization - ANSWER-Two Processes: Evaporation and Metamorphosis
Metamorphosis - ANSWER-The changing of existing minerals into a different mineral
because of extreme pressure or heat
Rocks - ANSWER-3 Types: Igneous, Metamorphic, Sedimentary
Igneous rocks - ANSWER-formed when magma or lava cools and crystallizes
(hardens). Can be changed into Metamorphic or Sedimentary rock
2 Classifications - Intrusive (Plutonic) and Extrusive (Volcanic)
ex. basalt, obsidian, and granite
Sedimentary - ANSWER-rocks formed when tiny grains of material are pressed together
over long period of time and joined loosely in a process called LITHIFICATION.
3 Classifications - Chemical, Clastic, Biologic
ex. chalk, limestone, sandstone
Metamorphic rocks - ANSWER-formed under surface of the earth from the change that
occurs due to intense heat and pressure (squeezing).
-changes chemically/structurally
2 Classifications - Foliated (minerals are flatted or aligned into sheets) and Non-foliated
ex. marble, slate, quartzite, schist
3 Rock types can be divided further: - ANSWER-Composition and Texture
Regolith - ANSWER-earth's outer weathered crust
Inner Core - ANSWER-solid metal ball in center of earth 750 miles thick.
LAYERS OF THE EARTH - 3 Composition Zones - CMC - ANSWER-Crust, Mantle,
Core
Crust - ANSWER-outer shell of earth, 20-60 miles thick
, 2 Types - Basaltic (ocean floor) and Granite
Mantle - ANSWER-out side outer layer. solid rock 2800 km thick.
Core - ANSWER-Composed of Iron and Nickle; 7000 km thick
Convection - ANSWER-movement of liquefied rock towards the surface, and cooler
rocks inward
5 Structural Zones - LAMoiC - ANSWER-Lithosphere, Asthenosphere, Mesosphere,
Outer Core, Inner Core
Lithosphere - ANSWER-solid area directly below crust consisting of crust and upper
layer of mantle
Asthenosphere - ANSWER-layer surrounding Mantle of molten rock (weak); moves b/c
of convection currents. The movem't of Lithosphere and Asthenosphere moves
continental plates.
Mesosphere - ANSWER-largest zone; Transfers heat from core to power the process of
convection
Outer Core - ANSWER-layer outside inner core 1400 miles thick of molten (liquid) rock;
responsible for earth's magnetic field
Inner Core - ANSWER-Solid, dense, very hot mixture of iron and nickel
plate tectonics - ANSWER-surface of earth made up of ridged plates that move relative
to each other. Usually lithospheric plates
continental crust - ANSWER-harder land crust
oceanic crust - ANSWER-thinner crust on bottom of ocean (ocean floor)
Isostacy - ANSWER-Describes buoyancy of crust types
3 types of tectonic boundaries - ANSWER-1.) convergent boundaries
2.) divergent boundaries
3.) transform boundaries (slide past)
Stratus clouds(layered) - ANSWER--cover entire sky
-lower region in troposphere
-gray in color
-Nimbostratus - continuous rain; Altostratus - no rain
Accurate Solutions
Minerals - ANSWER-Naturally occurring, inorganic crystalline solids with specific
chemical composition
Form from a liquid solution; Crystallization
90% of earth's minerals are silicates - combination of silicon and oxygen
Crystallization - ANSWER-Two Processes: Evaporation and Metamorphosis
Metamorphosis - ANSWER-The changing of existing minerals into a different mineral
because of extreme pressure or heat
Rocks - ANSWER-3 Types: Igneous, Metamorphic, Sedimentary
Igneous rocks - ANSWER-formed when magma or lava cools and crystallizes
(hardens). Can be changed into Metamorphic or Sedimentary rock
2 Classifications - Intrusive (Plutonic) and Extrusive (Volcanic)
ex. basalt, obsidian, and granite
Sedimentary - ANSWER-rocks formed when tiny grains of material are pressed together
over long period of time and joined loosely in a process called LITHIFICATION.
3 Classifications - Chemical, Clastic, Biologic
ex. chalk, limestone, sandstone
Metamorphic rocks - ANSWER-formed under surface of the earth from the change that
occurs due to intense heat and pressure (squeezing).
-changes chemically/structurally
2 Classifications - Foliated (minerals are flatted or aligned into sheets) and Non-foliated
ex. marble, slate, quartzite, schist
3 Rock types can be divided further: - ANSWER-Composition and Texture
Regolith - ANSWER-earth's outer weathered crust
Inner Core - ANSWER-solid metal ball in center of earth 750 miles thick.
LAYERS OF THE EARTH - 3 Composition Zones - CMC - ANSWER-Crust, Mantle,
Core
Crust - ANSWER-outer shell of earth, 20-60 miles thick
, 2 Types - Basaltic (ocean floor) and Granite
Mantle - ANSWER-out side outer layer. solid rock 2800 km thick.
Core - ANSWER-Composed of Iron and Nickle; 7000 km thick
Convection - ANSWER-movement of liquefied rock towards the surface, and cooler
rocks inward
5 Structural Zones - LAMoiC - ANSWER-Lithosphere, Asthenosphere, Mesosphere,
Outer Core, Inner Core
Lithosphere - ANSWER-solid area directly below crust consisting of crust and upper
layer of mantle
Asthenosphere - ANSWER-layer surrounding Mantle of molten rock (weak); moves b/c
of convection currents. The movem't of Lithosphere and Asthenosphere moves
continental plates.
Mesosphere - ANSWER-largest zone; Transfers heat from core to power the process of
convection
Outer Core - ANSWER-layer outside inner core 1400 miles thick of molten (liquid) rock;
responsible for earth's magnetic field
Inner Core - ANSWER-Solid, dense, very hot mixture of iron and nickel
plate tectonics - ANSWER-surface of earth made up of ridged plates that move relative
to each other. Usually lithospheric plates
continental crust - ANSWER-harder land crust
oceanic crust - ANSWER-thinner crust on bottom of ocean (ocean floor)
Isostacy - ANSWER-Describes buoyancy of crust types
3 types of tectonic boundaries - ANSWER-1.) convergent boundaries
2.) divergent boundaries
3.) transform boundaries (slide past)
Stratus clouds(layered) - ANSWER--cover entire sky
-lower region in troposphere
-gray in color
-Nimbostratus - continuous rain; Altostratus - no rain
