Solar System and Sun Overview

The four planets closest to the sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. These planets are characterized by a solid rocky surface and typically have few or no moons.

The four planets furthest from the sun: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. They are massive, primarily composed of gas and ice, and have numerous moons.

A theory that explains the origin of the universe. Proposed that the Universe began as a tiny, extremely hot, and dense point that expanded rapidly about 14 billion years ago.

Streams of glowing gas that arch into space and then return to the Sun. They are a common feature of the Sun's atmosphere and are driven by magnetic activity.

Intense bursts of energy and radiation from the Sun's surface. They are associated with magnetic activity and can cause disturbances in the Earth's atmosphere.

Cooler, darker areas on the Sun's surface. Their appearance is related to magnetic activity and the Sun's magnetic field.

A measure of the amount of greenhouse gases released by an individual, organization, or activity. It is a way to quantify the impact on climate change.

The ability to use resources sustainably so that they will be available for future generations. This involves maintaining ecological balance and conserving natural resources.

The variety of life in a particular ecosystem.

The number of species in a particular area.

The ability of an ecosystem to resist change and recover from disturbances.

A system for producing food that involves humans actively managing the ecosystem.

The cultivation of a single crop in an area.

The process by which producers (like plants) use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugar and oxygen.

The process by which organisms release energy from food by breaking down sugar and oxygen into carbon dioxide, water, and energy.

A process where excess nutrients (like nitrogen and phosphorus) enter a body of water, leading to excessive algal growth, oxygen depletion, and harm to aquatic life.

The process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over time, following a disturbance.

The first stage of succession, occurring in a previously uninhabited area.

The second stage of succession, occurring in an area where a previous community has been disturbed.

The ability of an ecosystem to continue to function and provide benefits over time.

The process of water moving between the atmosphere, oceans, land, and living organisms.

The process of nitrogen moving between the atmosphere, soil, and living organisms.

The overall charge of an atom, determined by the balance between protons (positive) and electrons (negative).

An atom that has lost electrons, resulting in a positive charge.

An atom that has gained electrons, resulting in a negative charge.

A compound formed by the electrostatic attraction between positively charged cations and negatively charged anions.

A compound formed when nonmetals share electrons.

A characteristic of a substance that can be observed or measured without changing its chemical composition. Examples include color, state (solid, liquid, gas), density, melting point, and boiling point.

A characteristic of a substance that describes how it reacts with other substances or under certain conditions. Examples include flammability, reactivity with acids, and the ability to decompose.

The ability of a substance to burn in the presence of oxygen.

The process by which organisms break down glucose (sugar) to release energy, producing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts. Carbon returns to the atmosphere through this process.

Carbon-rich deposits formed over millions of years from the decomposition of organisms, compressed under immense pressure. Examples: coal, oil, and natural gas.

A process where carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is absorbed into the oceans, making them more acidic.

The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas (N2) into forms usable by plants, like nitrates (NO3-), through processes like lightning, UV radiation, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Bacteria that convert nitrogen gas (N2) into ammonia (NH3), which can then be used by plants. They can live in soil or form symbiotic relationships with certain plants.

A rapid increase in the population of algae in a body of water, often caused by eutrophication. This can lead to oxygen depletion and harm aquatic life.

The burning of fossil fuels, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.

The total voltage in a series circuit is equal to the sum of the voltage drops across each individual component.

The total resistance in a series circuit is equal to the sum of the resistance of each individual component.

The current in a series circuit is the same at every point in the circuit.

Each component in a parallel circuit has its own path for current to flow.

The voltage in a parallel circuit is the same across each component.

The total resistance in a parallel circuit is always less than the resistance of the smallest individual resistor.

The ratio of useful energy output to total energy input.

The amount of electrical energy converted into light energy divided by the total electrical energy used, expressed as a percentage.

The process of breaking down a substance into its constituent parts, often facilitated by energy like heat.

A property describing how a substance reacts when exposed to oxygen, possibly leading to combustion or oxidation.

A property describing how a substance reacts when exposed to an acid, often producing gas or bubbles.

A property describing how a substance changes when interacting with another substance, potentially forming a new substance or precipitate.

A type of chemical bond formed when one or more valence electrons are transferred from a metal atom to a non-metal atom.

The names of ionic compounds are formed by combining the name of the metal ion (unchanged) and the name of the non-metal ion, which ends in "ide".

In ionic compound formation, electrons move from a metal to a non-metal, creating oppositely charged ions that attract each other to balance the charges.

Dalton proposed that all matter is composed of tiny, indivisible particles called atoms. These atoms are identical within an element, but differ between elements. Atoms rearrange but are not created or destroyed in chemical reactions.

Thomson proposed that atoms contain negatively charged electrons embedded within a positively charged sphere. This model resembled plum pudding, with electrons scattered throughout.

Rutherford discovered that atoms have a positively charged center called the nucleus, which contains most of the atom's mass. Electrons surround the nucleus, residing primarily in empty space.

Bohr theorized that electrons orbit the nucleus in specific energy levels. Electrons can jump between these levels and release energy as light when they transition to lower energy states.

The buildup of static electric charges on an object due to the transfer of electrons.

A temporary charge separation induced in an object when a charged object is brought near it. The electrons shift position, creating a temporary charge on one side.

Electrons are transferred between two materials when they rub together due to friction, leading one object to gain electrons (negative charge) and the other to lose electrons (positive charge)

A material that allows electric charge to flow through it easily.

A material that resists the flow of electric charge.

The ability of a substance to attract and hold electrons. A material with a high electron affinity will readily gain electrons, becoming negatively charged.

A list that ranks various materials based on their tendency to gain electrons when rubbed against another material.

Charging objects through direct physical contact, allowing electrons to transfer from one object to another until they reach a balanced charge.

A temporary shift of electrons within an object, caused by the proximity of a charged object. The charges redistribute but don't permanently transfer.

Materials like glass, rubber, and plastic that hold onto their electrons tightly and don't easily allow electron movement.

Materials like metals that allow electrons to move freely, enabling the flow of electricity.

Materials that allow some electron movement but not as freely as conductors, acting like a bridge between insulators and conductors.

The process of eliminating excess charge on an object by transferring electrons to or from a large neutral object, typically the ground.

The flow of electrons in one direction, typically from a negative terminal to a positive terminal.

A circuit element controlling the flow of current, allowing it to pass through when closed and blocking it when open.

A circuit element that converts electrical energy into light energy.

A circuit element used to measure the potential difference (voltage) between two points in a circuit.

A circuit element used to measure the flow of current (amps) at a specific point in a circuit.

The rate of flow of electrons through a conductor, measured in Amps.

The loss of energy that electrons experience as they move through a conductor, measured in Volts.

The opposition to the flow of electrons through a conductor, measured in Ohms.

The gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans. This change is primarily caused by the increased greenhouse effect, resulting from human activities such as burning fossil fuels.

The rise in the average level of the ocean's surface due to melting glaciers and ice sheets, as well as the thermal expansion of ocean water.

The depletion of water resources in dry regions due to climate change, leading to scarcity and impacting agricultural productivity.

The negative effects of climate change on agricultural production, including reduced crop yields, increased pest infestations, and extreme weather conditions.

The displacement of plants and animals from their natural habitats due to changing environmental conditions, leading to shifts in ecosystems and potential loss of species.

Reduced biodiversity due to climate change, affecting food webs, resources, and overall ecosystem stability.

The spread of pests, diseases, and disease carriers, such as mosquitoes, towards the poles due to warmer temperatures.

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. It determines the element's identity.

The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom. It represents the atom's mass.

A diagram illustrating the arrangement of electrons in an atom, showing the nucleus with protons and neutrons, and the electron shells surrounding it.

Elements that lose electrons to form positively charged ions. They are typically located on the left side of the periodic table.

Elements that gain electrons to form negatively charged ions. They are typically located on the right side of the periodic table.

A chemical bond where atoms share electrons. The atoms involved in this type of bond are usually non-metals.

A chemical bond involving the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions. The atoms involved in this type of bond are usually metals and nonmetals.