Earth Science Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the outermost layer of the Earth called?

Mantle

Core

Crust (correct)

Troposphere

What is the second layer of the Earth that consists of 75% of its mass?

Mantle

What is twice as dense as the Earth's mantle?

Core

How many separate pieces make up the crust and rigid part of the upper mantle?

30 Signup and view all the answers

Fault lines are places where tectonic plates slide relative to each other.

True Signup and view all the answers

What scale measures earthquake intensity?

Richter Scale Signup and view all the answers

Igneous rock is formed by what process?

Hardening of molten rock Signup and view all the answers

What type of rock is formed by the gradual depositing of materials?

Sedimentary Rock Signup and view all the answers

Metamorphic rock is formed when existing rock is altered by what factors?

Temperature, pressure, or a chemical process Signup and view all the answers

Where does most weather occur in the Earth's atmosphere?

Troposphere Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the second level of Earth's atmosphere where airflow is horizontal?

Stratosphere Signup and view all the answers

In which atmospheric layer do we see shooting stars?

Mesosphere Signup and view all the answers

What is the uppermost layer of the atmosphere in which temperature increases with altitude?

Thermosphere Signup and view all the answers

What celestial body does our solar system revolve around?

Sun Signup and view all the answers

Which planets are referred to as terrestrial planets?

Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars Signup and view all the answers

Name the four gas giant planets beyond Mars.

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a comet falls into the Earth's atmosphere?

It becomes a meteor Signup and view all the answers

What is the gravitational pull between the moon and Earth responsible for?

Tides Signup and view all the answers

What is the measurement of weight measured in?

Grams, Kilograms, and Milligrams Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the measurement of a three-dimensional space?

Volume Signup and view all the answers

What does temperature measure?

Heat Signup and view all the answers

At what temperature does water freeze in Celsius?

0 degrees Signup and view all the answers

At what temperature does water boil in Fahrenheit?

212 degrees Signup and view all the answers

How is the Kelvin scale determined?

By adding 273 degrees to Celsius Signup and view all the answers

What is physics the science of?

Properties, changes, and interactions Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the rate at which an object changes position?

Velocity Signup and view all the answers

What does momentum depend on?

Mass x Velocity Signup and view all the answers

What is the rate of change in velocity called?

Acceleration Signup and view all the answers

What is force defined as?

The push or pull that causes an object to change its speed or direction Signup and view all the answers

What is energy the capacity to do?

Work Signup and view all the answers

Sound waves occur when an object __________.

vibrates Signup and view all the answers

What is the Doppler effect?

Occurs when either the source of sound waves or the listener is moving Signup and view all the answers

What is conduction?

The simplest method of heat transfer Signup and view all the answers

What is convection?

The transfer of heat unevenly in a liquid or gas Signup and view all the answers

What does radiation refer to in terms of heat transfer?

The transmission of heat through electromagnetic waves Signup and view all the answers

What is an element?

A substance that cannot be separated into different substances by ordinary chemical methods Signup and view all the answers

What is an atom?

The smallest component of an element that retains the properties of that element Signup and view all the answers

What is a proton?

A subatomic particle found in the atom's nucleus that is positively charged Signup and view all the answers

What is a neutron?

A subatomic particle found in the atom's nucleus that is neutral Signup and view all the answers

What is an electron?

A subatomic particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom and has a negative charge Signup and view all the answers

What is a molecule?

The smallest particle of an element or compound that can exist in free state Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Earth Layers

Crust is the outermost layer, constituting 1% of Earth's total mass.
Mantle is the second layer, making up 75% of Earth's mass.
Core, the centermost part, is twice as dense as the mantle due to its metallic composition.

Geological Features

Plates are 30 separate pieces forming the crust and upper mantle’s rigid section.
Fault lines are areas where tectonic plates slide against one another.

Earthquake Measurement

The Richter scale is used to measure earthquake intensity.

Types of Rocks

Igneous rock forms from the solidification of molten rock (e.g., granite, basalt).
Sedimentary rock derives from the accumulation of sediments (e.g., sandstone, fossils).
Metamorphic rock results from existing rocks altered by heat and pressure (e.g., marble, slate).

Atmospheric Layers

Troposphere is the lowest layer where weather occurs.
Stratosphere features horizontal airflow and is the second atmospheric layer.
Mesosphere is the third layer where meteors burn up.
Thermosphere is the uppermost atmospheric layer, with temperatures increasing at higher altitudes.

Solar System

The Sun is the central star around which the solar system revolves.
Terrestrial planets include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
Outer planets are gaseous giants: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

Celestial Objects

Asteroids are rocky bodies in space.
Meteors are comets that enter Earth's atmosphere.
Meteorites are comets that land on Earth’s surface.

Oceanic Influences

Tides result from the gravitational pull between the Moon and Earth affecting ocean levels.

Measurement Concepts

Mass is a measure of weight, reported in grams, kilograms, and milligrams.
Volume describes three-dimensional space, typically in cubic centimeters.
Temperature quantifies heat; it can be measured in Celsius, Fahrenheit, or Kelvin.

Physics Fundamentals

Physics is the study of properties, changes, and interactions of matter.
Velocity measures the rate of positional change.
Momentum refers to an object's tendency to maintain its motion (mass x velocity).
Acceleration is the change in velocity over time.

Forces and Energy

Force is a push or pull affecting an object's speed or direction.
Energy is the capacity to perform work.

Wave Phenomena

Sound waves are produced by vibrating objects, disturbing their medium.
The Doppler effect occurs when the source or listener of sound moves.

Heat Transfer Methods

Conduction is direct heat transfer by contact (e.g., touching a hot surface).
Convection is uneven heat transfer in liquids or gases, affecting density.
Radiation involves heat transmission via electromagnetic waves.

Elements and Atoms

An element cannot be separated into simpler substances through ordinary chemical means.
An atom is the smallest component of an element preserving its properties.
Protons are neutral subatomic particles in the nucleus.
Neutrons, also located in the nucleus, have no charge.
Electrons are negatively charged particles orbiting the nucleus.

Molecular Structure

A molecule is the smallest particle of a compound that retains its characteristics.

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Description

Test your knowledge of Earth and physical science with these flashcards. Learn about the crust, mantle, core, and tectonic plates through key definitions and concepts. Perfect for students and anyone interested in geology!