Earth Science Reference Tables

The New York Earth Science Reference Tables

The Earth Science Reference Tables (must always be italicized when referred to) is an invaluable tool to the earth science student. It contains important equations, measurements, maps, identification tables, etc. This small book is often used during classes, tests, and homework assignments. In fact, the Earth Science Reference Tables is even used during the Earth Science Regents Examination.

Here is a rundown of what these wondrous tables contain:

Booklet: The New York State Earth Science Reference Tables
Edition: 2001

Page 1 (Cover)

• Physical Constants
  • Radioactive Decay Data
    • Carbon-14
    • Potassium-40
    • Uranium-238
    • Rubidium-87
  • Specific Heats of Common Materials
    • Water
      • Solid
      • Liquid
      • Gas
    • Dry Air
    • Basalt
    • Granite
    • Iron
    • Copper
    • Lead
  • Properties of Water
    • Energy gained during melting
    • Energy released during melting
    • Energy gained during vaporization
    • Energy released during condensation
    • Density at 3.98°C
• Equations
  • Percent Deviation
  • Eccentricity of an ellipse
  • Gradient
  • Rate of change
  • Density of a substance

Page 2

• MAP: Generalized Landscape Regions of New York State

Page 3

• MAP: Generalized Bedrock Geology of New York State
  modified from GEOLOGICAL SURVEY NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 1989

Page 4

• MAP: Surface Ocean Currents

Page 5

• MAP: Tectonic Plates

Page 6

• Rock Cycle in Earth's Crust
• Relationship of Transport Particle Size to Water Velocity
• Scheme for Igneous Rock Identification

Page 7

• Scheme for Sedimentary Rock Identification
• Scheme for Metamorphic Rock Identification

Page 8 + Page 9

• Geologic History of New York State
  • Timeline of the world (divided into eons, eras, periods and epochs)
    • Life on Earth
    • Rock Record in New York State
    • Time Distribution of Fossils
    • Tectonic Events Affecting Northeast North America
    • Important Geologic events in New York
    • Inferred Position of Earth's Landmasses
  • Pictures of life forms that lived in New York State Throughout History

Page 10

• Inferred Properties of Earth's Interior
  • Layers of the Earth (Graph)
  • Pressure in the Earth (Graph)
  • Temperature (°C) in the Earth (Graph)

Page 11

• Average Chemical Composition of Earth's Crust, Hydrosphere, and Troposphere
  • In terms of:
    • Oxygen (O)
    • Silicon (Si)
    • Aluminum (Al)
    • Iron (Fe)
    • Calcium (Ca)
    • Sodium (Na)
    • Magnesium (Mg)
    • Potassium (K)
    • Nitrogen (N)
    • Hydrogen (H)
    • Other
• Earthquake P-wave and S-wave Travel Time

Page 12

• Dew Point Temperatures (°C) (Chart)
• Relative Humidity (%) (Chart)

Page 13

• Temperature Scale
  • Fahrenheit
  • Celsius
  • Kelvin
• Air Pressure Scale
  • Millibars
  • Inches
• Weather Map Symbols
  • Station Model
    Explains how to read:
    • Temperature
    • Present Weather
    • Visibility
    • Dew Point
    • Wind Speed
    • Amount of Cloud Cover
    • Barometric Pressure
    • Barometric Trend
    • Precipitation
    • Wind Direction
    • Air Masses
    • Fronts

Page 14

• Selected Properties of Earth's Atmosphere
  • Explains what happens to the following variables with an increase in altitude in Earth's atmosphere
    • Temperature
    • Atmospheric Pressure
    • Water Vapor Levels
• Electromagnetic Spectrum
  • Explains the following waves and rays in a 10^xcm form
    • Gamma rays
    • X rays
    • Ultraviolet light
    • Visible light
    • Infrared light
    • Microwaves
    • Radiowaves
• Planetary Wind and Moisture Belts in the Troposphere (Diagram)

Page 15

• Luminosity and Temperature of Stars (Diagram)
  • Certain Star Sets:
    • Blue Supergiants
    • Supergiants
    • Red Giants
    • White Dwarfs
    • Red Dwarfs
  • Certain Stars:
    • Rigel
    • Betelgeuse
    • Polaris
    • Aldebaran
    • Sirius
    • Alpha Centauri
    • Our Sun
    • Procyon B
    • Barnard's Star
• Solar System Data
  • Objects:
    • The Sun
    • Mercury
    • Venus
    • Earth
    • Mars
    • Jupiter
    • Saturn
    • Uranus
    • Neptune
    • Pluto
    • Earth's Moon
  • Data:
    • Mean Distance from Sun (millions of km)
    • Period of Revolution
    • Period of Rotation
    • Eccentricity of Orbit
    • Equatorial Diameter (km)
    • Mass (Earth as base amount = 1)
    • Density (g/cm³)
    • Number of Moons

Page 16

• Properties of Common Minerals
  • Minerals:
    • Graphite
    • Galena
    • Magnetite
    • Pyrite
    • Hematite
    • Talc
    • Sulfur
    • Gypsum (Selenite)
    • Muscovite Mica
    • Halite
    • Biotite Mica
    • Calcite
    • Dolomite
    • Flourite
    • Pyroxene (commonly Augtite)
    • Amphiboles (commonly Hornblende)
    • Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
    • Plagioclase Feldspar (Na-Ca Feldspar)
    • Olivine
    • Quartz
    • Garnet (commonly Almandine)
  • Properties described:
    • Luster
    • Hardness
    • Cleavage/Fracture
    • Common Colors
    • Distinguishing Characteristics
    • Use(s)
    • Composition

The University of The State of New York

THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Albany, New York 12234

www.nysed.gov