Study Guide: Earth’s Changing Surface and Resources

Fossil Fuels and Sedimentary Rock

5.7A - The student is expected to explore the processes that led to the formation of sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels.Key Concepts:

  • Sedimentary rock is formed over millions of years from the deposition of sediment in layers. Sediment layers on top apply pressure to those on bottom, compacting them into sedimentary rocks.
  • Fossil fuels are formed over millions of years from the deposition of organic materials in layers. Organic matter in bottom layers begins to decay from the pressure and heat generated from the layers above them.
  • Fossil fuels are formed in sedimentary rock layers when materials are compressed and heated deep under the Earth’s surface.
  • Vocabulary

fossil fuels - A natural, non-renewable fuel such as coal, oil, or natural gas, formed over millions of years from the remains of living organisms.

oil - A flammable liquid produced from remains of marine organisms buried under layers of sediments for millions of years.

natural gas - A flammable material, without a definite form, produced from remains of marine organisms buried under layers of sediment found near oil deposits.

coal - A solid fossil fuel that is formed from the concentrated remains of plants over very long periods of time.

sedimentary rock - Layers of rock formed when sediment is deposited and then compacted and cemented over time.

organic matter - The waste and remains of plants and animals.

Landforms

5.7B - The student is expected to recognize how landforms such as deltas, canyons, and sand dunes are the result of changes to Earth’s surface by wind, water, and ice. Key Concepts:

  • Wind, water, and ice can change Earth’s surface.
  • Sand dunes form when wind-blown sand builds up. Deltas form when water-born sediments are deposited at the mouths of rivers.
  • Canyons form when moving water cuts through the Earth’s surface.
  • Vocabulary

landform - Feature on the surface of Earth such as a mountain, hill, dune, ocean, or river.

delta - A triangular landform where a river empties into another body of water.

canyon - A deep gorge in the surface of Earth formed by the erosion of moving water and sand.

sand dunes - Hills formed by wind blowing and depositing sand.

weathering -The breakdown of rock into smaller particles from the effects of wind, water, and ice.

erosion - The gradual wearing down of something by wind, water, and other natural forces.

deposition - The build-up of land by the settlement of sediment and soil in a new location.

5.7C - The student is expected to identify alternative energy resources such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biofuels.

alternative energy source - Energy produced by means other than the burning of fossil fuels. Some examples:

-wind energy - Energy that comes from changing the power of moving air into a useful form.

-solar energy - Energy that comes directly from the sun.

-biofuel - Carbon-based fuel made from recently produced biomass.

-geothermal energy -Energy that comes from the natural heat inside the Earth.

-hydroelectricity - A renewable source of energy based on the natural movement of water.

renewable resources - Materials from Earth that can be replaced by nature within a relatively short period of time, such as trees.

nonrenewable resources - Materials from Earth that cannot be replaced within a reasonable amount of time, such as oil, coal, and natural gas.

pollution - Materials introduced into an environment that cause damage, discomfort, or instability.

Alternative Energy Resources

5.7C - The student is expected to identify alternative energy resources such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biofuels. Key Concepts:

  • Alternative energy resources rely on natural processes and can be used to produce renewable energy.
  • Alternative energy resources include wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biofuels.
  • Using alternative energy resources can sometimes produce less waste than producing energy from fossil fuels and can also help conserve the Earth’s resources.
  • Vocabulary

alternative energy source - Energy produced by means other than the burning of fossil fuels. Some examples:

-wind energy - Energy that comes from changing the power of moving air into a useful form.

-solar energy - Energy that comes directly from the sun.

-biofuel - Carbon-based fuel made from recently produced biomass.

-geothermal energy -Energy that comes from the natural heat inside the Earth.

-hydroelectricity - A renewable source of energy based on the natural movement of water.

renewable resources - Materials from Earth that can be replaced by nature within a relatively short period of time, such as trees.

nonrenewable resources - Materials from Earth that cannot be replaced within a reasonable amount of time, such as oil, coal, natural gas, and soil.

Fossils

5.7D - The student is expected to identify fossils as evidence of past living organisms and the nature of the environments at the time using models. Key Concepts:

  • Fossils are traces or preserved parts of organisms that lived in the past.
  • Fossils can be used to interpret past events and environments.
  • Models can be used to represent the passage of time and past organisms and environments.
  • Vocabulary

fossil-Preserved parts or traces of animals and plants that lived in the past.

model - A limited representation of something that can help us understand its structure or how it works.

sediment - Sand or small pieces of rock broken down by weathering and deposited on the land or at the bottom of a body of water.

decay - To degrade or break down into smaller parts.

imprint - A mark or depression made by pressure.

Study using STEMScopes. This is TEKS 5.7A, 5.7B, 5.7C, and 5.7D. STEMScopes has videos, picture vocabulary cards, vocabulary games, and practice assessments.