Earth Science Reference Table Lab

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You may find the Earth Science Reference Tables here.

Background: Earth Science will be a course in which you will observe, investigate, and measure the processes and interactions of planet Earth.  The ability to fully understand all of these aspects depend, partly, on our careful study of Earth phenomena.  The Earth Science Reference Tables (ESRT’s) are provided to you for classroom use during the year and for use during many of the examinations given.  It is not intended for the information to be memorized.

Directions: Search through the ESRT’s to find the answers to the following questions and familiarize yourself with the content of the ESRT's.  Remember to use the proper format when writing the lab report.

1. On what page number(s) of the ESRT’s can a map of NY be found?  ____________________

2. On what page number(s) can you find the geologic history of NY?  ____________________

3. On what page number(s) can you find information about the rock cycle? _________________

4. On what page number(s) do you find a chart to determine the dew point? _________________

5. On what page number(s) can you find the Allegheny Plateau? __________________________

6. Measure the width of this page to the tenth of a centimeter.  ___________________________

7. What distance does the entire length of the scale on page 3 represent in kilometers? ________

8. Which of these rocks is igneous?  Basalt, Conglomerate, or Slate (circle one)

9. What is the inner most part of the Earth’s interior called?  _____________________________

10. What current flows along the east coast of the United States? _________________________

11. On page 1, the “Average Chemical Composition of Earth’s Crust, Hydrosphere, and Troposphere” chart is given.  What

      element is most abundant in the hydrosphere? ________________

12. Use the temperature scales to convert 20ºC to ºF and K.  _____________ºF  ____________K

13. According to the physical constant charts, what is the specific heat of dry air? ____________

14. Using the proper equation, calculate the density of a substance that has a mass of 10 grams and a volume of 5 cubic

      centimeters.  Show your work.

 

15. On the Geologic History of New York State chart, determine the number of years ago that the earliest birds appeared.

      ________________________________________________________

16. How far from the sun is the Earth? ______________________________________________

17. Using the Properties of Common Minerals table, what is the hardness for the mineral quartz?

      ___________________________________________________________________________

18. Using the Generalized Bedrock Geology of NYS map, draw the symbol of the geologic period of the area around Syracuse. 

 

19. With the use of the Weather Map information table, draw the symbol for thunderstorms. ______________

 

20. Using the Luminosity and Temperature of Stars chart, what is the color of the star called Sirius?

      _______________________________________________________________________

 

21. According to the Scheme for Igneous Rock Identification, the mineral Pyroxene is what color? 

      ________________________________________________________________________

 

22. The Physical Constant table indicates that the half-life of Carbor-14 is 5.7x103 years.  What is this value in common numbers?

      __________________________________________________

 

23. According to the Selected Properties of Earth’s Atmosphere illustration, what is the height of the Mesopause in miles?

      _________________________________________________________

 

24. The Electromagnetic Spectrum shows that ultraviolet rays have a different wavelength than infrared rays.  Are ultraviolet rays

      longer or shorter than infrared rays? ____________________

25. On the sketch of NYS below, place an X to mark the position of Riverhead, Long Island.

Lab Notes  >