Comprehensive Flashcards
(19 cards)
Changes in states of matter
The states of matter are solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. More heat energy is added with each of those states causing the molecules or atoms to move faster with each
Convection
?the movement caused within a fluid by the tendency of hotter and therefore less dense material to rise, and colder, denser material to sink under the influence of gravity, which consequently results in transfer of heat.
Scientific laws and theories
Scientific law: Description of the way a universal natural system or process works, WHAT happens – example gravity, gas laws.
Scientific theory: an exclamation supported by a vast body of evidence from many areas of study, all supporting the same conclusion (the mechanism- HOW something works)
Cycles in earth science
?Geological and biological processes cause energy and the elements necessary for life-carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus- to circulate through global “reservoirs.” These reservoirs are the biosphere (the living portion of our planet), the atmosphere, the ocean, and the solid Earth. It is…
The nature of science
Is based on evidence, often empirical evidence (numerical evidence from experimentation) Is tentative is creative, but systematic, publish results, peer review. Scientists use a number of methods, not just laboratory experiments. Observation, computer models, Serendipity ( Fleming, roentgen, Salem witch trials)
Are energy and matter recycled
matter is recycled, energy is not
Earth position and motions in space (earth/moon/sun)
?
Seasons
Caused by the tilt of the earth on its axis as it orbits the sun. Sun is farther from earth in summer
Moon phases
Lit area growing start on the right. Crescent – thin curved shape
Gibbous/oval shaped
Waxing-lit area increasing in size
Waning- lit area decreasing
Gravity and earth
?
Density and earth processes
?
Energy changes related to changes of states of matter and whether
(Evaporation is a cooling process, and how that happens, etc)
Weather characteristics associated with cold fronts
?Cold Front: transition zone from warm air to cold air. A cold front is defined as the transition zone where a cold air mass is replacing a warmer air mass. Cold fronts generally move from northwest to southeast. The air behind a cold front is noticeably colder and drier than the air ahead of it.
Weather characteristics associated with warm fronts
?As the front moves through, cool, fair weather is likely to follow. Warm front Forms when a moist, warm air mass slides up and over a cold air mass. As the warm air mass rises, it condenses into a broad area of clouds. A warm front brings gentle rain or light snow, followed by warmer, milder weather
Weather characteristics associated with occluded fronts
?Occluded fronts usually form around mature low pressure areas. There are two types of occlusion, warm and cold: In a cold occlusion, the air mass overtaking the warm front is cooler than the cool air ahead of the warm front, and plows under both air masses.
Mid latitude cyclones
large cyclonic system that moves from west to east in mid latitudes, has comma shaped cloud pattern, often but not always develops into occluded front, many winter storms are mid latitude cyclones
It’s matter recycled
Yes, matter is recycled in nature. (Bio geochemical cycles, such as the water cycle, carbon/oxygen cycle, etc)
Is energy recycled
Energy is not recycled in nature, because it is lost as heat energy with every energy transformation
Can hypotheses become scientific theories? Can either become scientific laws
Hypotheses can become scientific theories with a great deal of evidence, both are explanations. Neither can become scientific laws, because scientific laws are descriptions
