Fundamentals of Earth Science and Natural Processes

The hydrologic cycle involves the continuous movement of water between the atmosphere, land, and oceans through processes like evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.

The rock cycle refers to the process of how rocks are formed, broken down, and reformed over geological time.

Earth's original heat sources are primarily from the sun, gravity, meteorite impact, and radioactivity which contribute to Earth's internal heat. Volcanic eruptions, wind energy, and fossil fuels are not considered original heat sources for Earth.

The correct answer is 4.5 billion years based on scientific evidence such as radiometric dating of rocks on Earth.

Metamorphic rocks are formed from existing rocks that are subjected to heat and pressure, causing them to recrystallize without melting.

Plutonic rocks are igneous rocks that cool slowly beneath the Earth's surface, allowing for the formation of visible crystals.

The correct answer describes the widely accepted formation process of Earth and the solar system, starting from a rotating cloud of gas and dust that eventually flattened into a disk.

The Earth has two cores: the outer core which is composed of liquid metals and the inner core which is composed of solid metals.

Internal energy in the Earth primarily comes from the heat produced by the decay of radioactive elements and the gravitational compression of materials within the Earth's core.

The sources of external energy include natural sources such as the sun and astroids. Incorrect answers provided are not related to external energy sources.

Igneous rocks are formed through the process of melting and crystallization where molten material cools and solidifies to form crystals.

Sedimentary rocks are formed through the process of weathering (breaking down of rocks into sediment) and cementation (where the sediment is glued together).

The correct answer explains the process of how density influences the formation of stratified layers inside the earth, by highlighting the movement of denser and lighter materials. The incorrect answers provide false statements regarding the role of density, cooling process, and random mixing in the formation of stratified layers, ultimately emphasizing the importance of density variations in shaping the earth's layers.

The correct answer mentions processes influenced by the earth's external energy, such as the formation of the moon and planets. Although photosynthesis, volcanic eruptions, and ocean currents are all natural processes, they are not primarily driven by the earth's external energy.

The Earth's internal energy primarily drives natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanoes, not ocean tides, weather patterns, or plate tectonics.

The correct order of Earth's layers is atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and asthenosphere. Each layer plays a crucial role in the Earth's composition and function.

The correct answer describes the behavior of the earth's layers based on the increasing density towards the core. The incorrect answers provide misleading information that does not align with the scientific understanding of the earth's layers.

Determining the age of the Earth involves studying the rocks found on the planet, as they provide valuable information through radiometric dating techniques. Other methods like counting stars in the sky or analyzing water or tree rings are not used for this purpose.

Volcanic rocks are formed from molten lava that quickly cools on the Earth's surface, leading to the formation of small crystals or no crystals at all due to the rapid cooling process.