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About 82 Things to Pass the Earth Science Regents

1. The same substance always has the same density

2. As pressure increases, density increases

3. As temperature increases, density decreases

4. Water expands when it freezes

5. Water is most dense at 4oC, when it is a liquid

6. The best model of the Earth is a sphere

7. The altitude of Polaris equals your latitude

8. Latitude lines go east-west, just like the equator, but measure distances north or south.

9. Longitude lines go north-south, but measure distances east or west.

10. Longitude is based on observations of the sun

11. Use the reference tables

12. The closer the isolines (contour-isobar-isotherms-) are the steeper the slope or gradient

13. The earth rotates from west to east (24 hours)

14. The earth revolves counterclockwise (365 1/4 days)

15. All celestial objects appear to rise in the east and move west

16. The moon has phases because of the angle at which we view it (remember though that half is always lit)

17. Summer solstice is June 21st

18. Winter solstice is December 21st

19. Equinoxes: March 21st September 23rd

20. Equator always has 12 hours of day-light

21. The lower the altitude of the sun, the longer the shadow it casts

22. Foucault's pendulum and the Coriolis effect prove the earth rotates

23. Earth is closer to the sun in winter

24. The closer the planet is to the sun the higher it's velocity

25. The half-life of a radioactive element can't be changed

26. Ocean crust is thin and made of basalt

27. Continental crust is thick and made of granite

28. Chemical weathering occurs mostly in warm, humid climates

29. Physical weathering occurs mostly in cold, humid climates (good for frost wedging)

30. Air moves clockwise and outward around a high (blows out) Good= high= clockwise

31. Air moves counterclockwise and inward around a low (sux) “bad”= low= counter

32. Good absorbers of radiation are good radiators

33. Hottest part of the year is in July

34. Hottest part of the day is after 1:00 p.m.

35. As temperature increases, air pressure decreases

36. As moisture increases, pressure decreases

37. Air pressure decreases with altitude

38. Highs are cool and dry; lows are warm and wet

39. Wind is due to air pressure differences

40. Wind blows from high to low pressure (hi-low!)

41. Wind is named from the direction that it is coming from

42. The accepted value is the correct answer. The measured value is the guess.

43. The closer the air temperature is to the dew point the greater the chance for precipitation

44. Weather moves from west to east in the United States

45. Cold fronts move the fastest

46. Porosity does not depend on particle size

47. As particle size increases, permeability increases

48. Capillarity increases when particle size decreases

49. Dynamic equilibrium means balance

50. Apparent diameter of objects (sun, moon) gets larger when the object is closer to Earth

51. Vertical rays (overhead sun) can only occur between 23 1/2 oN and 23 1/2 oS

52. Index fossils are good time markers (widely spread, lived a short time)

53. Air cools as it rises

54. Water bodies moderate temperature

55. Gravity causes all erosion

56. Streams (running water) are the number one agent of erosion

57. Stream velocity depends on slope and discharge

58. Velocity is fastest on the out side of meander bend

59. Heavy, round and dense particle settle out first

60. Glacial sentiments are unsorted, scratched, U shaped valley

61. Sedimentary rocks are the only rock type to have fossils

62. Igneous rock: cools fast: small crystals ; cools slow: large crystals (texture)

63. Metamorphic- banded-distorted structure (heat and pressure; recrystallization)

64. Mineral properties depend on internal atomic arrangement

65. Silicon + oxygen are the two most abundant elements in earth’s crust

66. Mid-ocean ridge - new earth being created-sea floor spreading

67. Trenches - earth being destroyed-subduction zone

68. P waves are faster than S waves

69. P waves - solids & liquids can pass through -- S waves solids only

70. You need 3 seismometer stations to plot earthquake

71. Undisturbed strata - bottom layer is oldest

72. Intrusion and faults are younger than the rock they are in

73. Unconformity means erosion

74. Arid landscape: steep slopes with sharp angles

75. Humid landscape: smooth with rounded slopes

76. When in doubt, see if the reference tables will help

77. Uranium 235 dates old rocks

78. Carbon 14 dates recent living objects

79. Convection currents in the mantle move plates

80. Always try to eliminate two answers

81. When a rock is broken into smaller pieces, surface area increases and weathering rate increases

82. Be familiar with this chart:

DATE (APPROXIMATE)	LATITUDE OF SUN'S DIRECT RAYS	DIRECTION OF SUNRISE AND SUNSET	ALTITUDE OF NOON SUN	LENGTH OF DAYLIGHT
Sept. 23 (Autumnal Equinox)	Equator (0o)	Rises due East Sets due West	48o	12 hours
December 21 (Winter Solstice)	Tropic of Capricorn (23 1/2oS)	Rises in SE Sets in SW	24.5o (lowest)	8 hours (shortest day)
March 21 ( Vernal Equinox)	Equator (0o)	Rises due East Sets due West	48o	12 hours
June 21 (Summer Solstice)	Tropic of Cancer (23 1/2oN)	Rises in NE Sets in NW	71.5o (highest)	16 hours (longest day)

o Ask yourself on every question, “Can I use my Reference Tables?”

o Make sure you always use units on every number you write (except on eccentricity and station models).

o Answer every question the best you can.

o Ask any question you have.

o THINK!