Earth's Systems: Rocks, Minerals, and Soil

Study Notes

Rocks and Minerals:
- Rocks: naturally occurring solid mass of mineral material
- Minerals: naturally occurring inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and crystal structure
- Types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic
Soil Formation:
- Weathering: breakdown of rocks into smaller particles
- Erosion: removal of soil particles through wind, water, or ice
- Deposition: settling of soil particles in a new location

Weather vs. Climate:
- Weather: short-term atmospheric conditions (temperature, humidity, cloudiness, etc.)
- Climate: long-term average atmospheric conditions
Global Wind Patterns:
- Trade winds: near the equator, blowing from east to west
- Wasterlies: in the middle latitudes, blowing from west to east
- Jet stream: fast-moving winds in the upper atmosphere
Water Cycle:
- Evaporation: water evaporates from oceans, lakes, and rivers
- Condensation: water vapor cools and forms clouds
- Precipitation: water falls to the ground as rain, snow, or hail

Renewable Resources:
- Solar energy: energy from the sun
- Wind energy: energy generated by wind
- Hydro energy: energy generated by moving water
Non-Renewable Resources:
- Fossil fuels: coal, oil, and natural gas
- Minerals: metals and other inorganic compounds
Conservation:
- Reducing waste and pollution
- Preserving natural habitats and ecosystems

Environmental Changes:
- Deforestation: clearing of forests for human use
- Pollution: release of harmful substances into the environment
- Climate change: global warming and associated effects
Sustainable Practices:
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- Using public transportation or carpooling
- Using energy-efficient appliances

Water Distribution:
- Oceans: 97% of Earth's water
- Ice caps and glaciers: 2% of Earth's water
- Freshwater lakes, rivers, and groundwater: 1% of Earth's water
Water Cycle Processes:
- Evaporation: water evaporates from oceans, lakes, and rivers
- Condensation: water vapor cools and forms clouds
- Precipitation: water falls to the ground as rain, snow, or hail
Water Conservation:
- Reducing water waste
- Using water-efficient appliances
- Harvesting and storing rainwater

Rocks are naturally occurring solid masses of mineral material
Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic solids with a specific chemical composition and crystal structure
There are three types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic
Soil formation involves three stages: weathering, erosion, and deposition
Weathering is the breakdown of rocks into smaller particles
Erosion is the removal of soil particles through wind, water, or ice
Deposition is the settling of soil particles in a new location

Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and cloudiness
Climate refers to long-term average atmospheric conditions
Global wind patterns include trade winds, wasterlies, and jet streams
Trade winds blow from east to west near the equator
Wasterlies blow from west to east in the middle latitudes
Jet streams are fast-moving winds in the upper atmosphere

Evaporation occurs when water evaporates from oceans, lakes, and rivers
Condensation occurs when water vapor cools and forms clouds
Precipitation occurs when water falls to the ground as rain, snow, or hail
The water cycle is a continuous process involving evaporation, condensation, and precipitation

Renewable resources include solar energy, wind energy, and hydro energy
Solar energy is generated from the sun
Wind energy is generated by wind
Hydro energy is generated by moving water
Non-renewable resources include fossil fuels and minerals
Fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas
Minerals are metals and other inorganic compounds
Conservation involves reducing waste and pollution, and preserving natural habitats and ecosystems

Environmental changes caused by human activities include deforestation, pollution, and climate change
Deforestation is the clearance of forests for human use
Pollution involves the release of harmful substances into the environment
Climate change refers to global warming and associated effects
Sustainable practices include reducing, reusing, and recycling, using public transportation or carpooling, and using energy-efficient appliances

Oceans hold 97% of Earth's water, ice caps and glaciers hold 2%, and freshwater lakes, rivers, and groundwater hold 1%
Water distribution involves the movement of water between these sources
Water cycle processes include evaporation, condensation, and precipitation
Water conservation involves reducing water waste, using water-efficient appliances, and harvesting and storing rainwater