Physical Geology Assignment 1: Minerals

Identify each of the attached minerals and the mineral group to which it belongs. Note the physical properties and consult the accompanying mineral identification key. Mineral groups are the silicates, carbonates, oxides, sulfides, sulfates, halides, and native elements.

Assignment 2

Figure 1 Vertical and oblique Sun beams.

Solar Radiation and the Seasons

The amount of solar energy (radiation) striking the outer edge of the atmosphere is not uniform over the face of Earth at any one time, nor is it constant throughout the year at any particular place. Rather, solar radiation at any location and time is determined by the Sun's intensity and duration. Intensity is the angle at which the rays of sunlight strike a surface, whereas duration refers to the length of daylight.

The standard unit of solar radiation is the Langley, equal to one calorie¹ per square centimeter. The solar constant, or average intensity of solar radiation falling on a surface perpendicular to the solar beam at the outer edge of the atmosphere, is about 2 langleys per minute. As the radiation passes through the atmosphere, it undergoes absorption, reflection, and scattering. Therefore, at any one location, less radiation reaches Earth's surface than was originally intercepted at the upper atmosphere.

Solar Radiation and Latitude

The amount of radiation striking a square meter at the outer edge of the atmosphere, and eventually Earth's surface, varies with latitude because of a changing Sun angle. To illustrate this fact, answer questions 1-11 using the appropriate figure.

1. On Figure 1, extend the 1-cm-wide beam of sunlight from the Sun vertically to point A on the Surface. Extend the second 1-cm-wide beam, beginning at the Sun, to the surface at point B.

¹The most familiar energy unit used to measure heat is the calo¬rie, which is the quantity of heat energy needed to raise the temper¬ature of one gram of water one degree Celsius. Do not confuse it with the so-called large Calorie (note the capital C), the kind counted by weight watchers. A Calorie is the amount of heat energy needed to raise the temperature of a kilogram (1,000 grams) of water 1 degree Celsius.

Notice in Figure 1 that the Sun is directly over¬head (vertical) at point A and the beam of sunlight strikes the surface at a 90° angle above the horizon.

Using Figure 1, answer questions 2-5.

2. Using a protractor, measure the angle between the surface and the beam of sunlight coming from the Sun to point B.
_______° = angle of the Sun above the surface (horizon) at point B.

3. What are the lengths of the line segments on the surface covered by the Sun beam at point A and point B?

Point A: ; point B:

4. Of the two beams, beam (A, B) is more spread out at the surface and covers a larger area. Circle your answer.

5. More langleys per minute would be received by a square centimeter on the surface at point (A, B). Circle your answer.
Use Figure 2 to answer questions 6-11 concern¬ing the total amount of solar radiation intercepted by each 30° segment of latitude on Earth.

6. With a metric ruler, measure the total width of in-coming rays from point x to point y in Figure 2. The total width is centimeters (millimeters). Fill in your answers.

7. Assume the total width of the incoming rays from point x to point y equals 100% of the solar radiation that is intercepted by Earth. Each centimeter would equal ______%, and each millimeter would equal _____%. Fill in your answers.

Figure 2 Distribution of solar radiation per 30° segment of latitude on Earth.

8. What percentage of the total incoming radiation is concentrated in each of the following zones?

0°-30° = _____mm = _____ %
30°-60° = ____mm= _____ %
60°-90° = ____mm = _____ %

9. Use a protractor to measure the angle between the surface and Sun ray at each of the following loca-tions. (Angle b is already done as an example.)

Angle a: _______; angle c: _____
Angle b: ___60^o___;angle d: _______

10. What is the general relation between the amount of radiation received in each 30° segment and the angle of the Sun's rays?

11. Explain in your own words what fact about Earth creates the unequal distribution of solar energy, even though each zone represents an equal 30° segment of latitude.

Global Pattern of Temperature

The primary reason for global variations in surface temperatures is the unequal distribution of radiation over the Earth. Among the most important secondary factors are differential heating of land and water, ocean currents, and differences in altitude.

Questions 12-18 refer to Figure 3, "World Dis-tribution of Mean Surface Temperatures (°C) for Janu¬ary and July." The lines on the maps, called isotherms, connect places of equal surface temperature.

12. The general trend of the isotherms on the maps is (north-south, east-west). Circle your answer.

13. In general, how do surface temperatures vary from the equator toward the poles? Why does this variation occur?

Figure 3 Wend distribution al as flea tits srstures raw inn alld July.

14. The locations of the warmest and coldest temper-atures are over (land, water).

15. Calculate the annual temperature range at each of the following locations: Coastal Norway at 60°N: °F) Siberia at 60°N, 120°E: °C ( °F) On the equator over the center of the Atlantic Ocean: °C ( °F)

16. Explain the large annual range of temperature in Siberia.

17. Why is the annual temperature range smaller along the coast of Norway than at the same lati-tude in Siberia?

18. Why is temperature relatively uniform through-out the year in the tropics?

Attachment:- Minerals.pdf