1.3D| Some Geology Essentials: The Rock Cycle, Earth's Internal Heat, and Rates of Change

Overview 

• The Rock Cycle shows how the three rock types are interrelated and how rock-making material is perpetually recycled. 
• Earth's internal heat drives the constructive geologic processes that add new rock and build up landforms. 
• Earth's evolution is understandable when we consider the rates of change in its geology. Specifically, how slowly things typically happen. 

Instructions 

Complete the assigned textbook reading and previous pages in this module. Carefully read each question and choose the best answer. If you answer incorrectly, read any feedback that may be given and try again.

You'll have unlimited time and 3 attempts. Multiple attempts are given to provide the opportunity to learn from any mistakes.  

Time Needed

About 15 min.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the processes associated with the making of each of the three rock types 
• Convert between different units of measurement
• Describe the physical structure of Earth and the physical properties of the different layers

Background Information 

Rates of Change

One of the most important equations earth scientists like geologists use is the "DiRT" equation:

Distance = Rate Time (read as distance equals rate times time), abbreviated at D = RT

When you know two of the variables in this equation, you can figure out the third. We can move the variables around in the equation to suit our needs (but then we couldn't call it the "dirt" equation):

Rate = Distance/Time (read as rate equals distance divided by time); R=D/T

or

Time = Distance/Rate (time equals distance divided by rate); T = D/R