Earth and Environmental Science Flashcards

What is the term for the boundary where two tectonic plates move apart from each other?

Answer: Divergent boundary

At divergent boundaries, tectonic plates move apart, allowing magma to rise and form new crust, as seen at mid-ocean ridges.

Which part of the water cycle involves water vapor cooling and turning into liquid water droplets to form clouds?

Answer: Condensation

Condensation occurs when water vapor cools and converts to liquid, forming the tiny droplets that make up clouds.

A soil sample has a pH of 4. What does this tell you about the soil?

Answer: It is strongly acidic

A pH of 4 is well below 7 (neutral), indicating strongly acidic soil, which can affect plant nutrient uptake.

What is the primary cause of seasonal changes in temperature experienced in the United States?

Answer: The tilt of Earth's axis relative to its orbit

Earth's axial tilt of about 23.5° causes different hemispheres to receive more direct sunlight at different times of year, creating seasons.

Which of the following is an example of biomagnification?

Answer: Pesticides accumulating in higher concentrations in predators than in prey

Biomagnification occurs when toxic substances like pesticides accumulate at increasing concentrations at higher levels of a food chain.

What kind of fault occurs when rocks on one side are pushed up and over rocks on the other side due to compressional forces?

Answer: Reverse (thrust) fault

Reverse or thrust faults form under compression, causing one block to ride up over another and commonly creating mountain ranges.

Which ocean zone receives enough sunlight for photosynthesis to occur?

Answer: Photic zone

The photic zone is the upper layer of the ocean (roughly top 200 m) where sufficient sunlight penetrates to support photosynthesis.