Earth Science Flashcards
(48 cards)
It is the scientific study of the Earth, its history, composition, and structure done mainly through the study of rocks.
Geology
The topmost and thinnest layer of the Earth. It varies in thickness, from 10km underneath oceans to 80 km underneath mountains and mountain ranges. It is roughly 1% of the Earth’s volume.
Crust
It is 3,500km thick and is composed mostly of iron, calcium, and magnesium. It comprises approximately 80% of the Earth’s volume.
Mantle
It is about 2,300km thick, is made up of a liquid nickel-iron alloy that surrounds a solid inner core with a radius of about 1,200km. It is found at the center of the Earth.
Core
This is located between the upper mantle and the lower part of the crust, which carriers 30 plates that hold the major continents of the Earth.
Lithosphere
These rocks are formed by the hardening of molten material. Much of this molten material is magma, or melted rocks underneath the surface of the earth. When magma is released through a volcanic reaction, it becomes lava that hardens into _______. Pumice and granite are common examples.
Igneous rocks
These are formed by the joining of separate particles, which may range from mud, sand, to gravel, that are compressed together over time. Shale, limestone, and soft coal are common examples.
Sedimentary rocks
These are formed over long periods of time because of changes in pressure or temperature. Both igneous and sedimentary rocks can become ________ over time. Marble, slate, and hard coal are examples.
Metamorphic rocks
This is the study of the atmosphere and all atmospheric phenomena, including weather. The Earth’s atmosphere, which is the mixture of gases surrounding it, is composed of five layers.
Meteorology
Here is where all weather occurrences take place. It can range from 6 to 17 kilometers thick and contains much of the air surrounding the Earth.
Troposphere
It is found above the troposphere, where the temperature can drop down to as low as -60° Celsius. It’s upper parts of the contains the ozone layer.
Stratosphere
It s thin layer of a reactive form of oxygen which helps protect the Earth from the ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Ozone layer
It is 90 kilometers above the solid surface of the Earth, where the temperature is -90° Celsius. When meteorites fall into the Earth, it is where they begin to burn up and produce a tail, thus they become the ‘shooting stars’ we see at night.
Mesosphere
This is a thin layer which reflects radio waves used for satellites and other types of communication. It rises up to 350 miles above the surface of the Earth. Experts still have not reached consensus whether it is a distinct layer of atmosphere or not.
Ionosphere
This phenomena that take place on Earth are affected by 5 major factors: temperature, air pressure, humidity, clouds, and air masses.
Weather
The Earth, particularly the masses of land and the oceans, absorb almost half of the radiation that comes from the sun. Radiation causes heat that warms up the air above the land and water. Land absorbs heat more quickly than water, and it releases heat more quickly too. During the day, the land is warmer, but it is also cooler during the night. Areas near the equator also receive more sunlight, as the sun’s rays strike directly towards the center of the Earth, whereas regions in the North and South receive slanted rays, allowing colder temperatures.
Temperature
It refers to the push of the air against the surface of the Earth. Cold air has greater pressure (high pressure) than warm air (low pressure). Air typically flows from high pressure areas to low pressure ones.
Air pressure
The movement of air is commonly known as ______.
Wind
Air pressure is measured by a device known as a ______
Barometer
When water evaporates into the atmosphere, it becomes water vapor. The amount of water vapor in the air is known as _______.
Humidity
It is the amount of vapor in the air as compared to the maximum amount it can contain at a certain temperature. 50 to 60% is still comfortable for many people.
Relative humidity
_____, or the change from water vapor to liquid, takes place at the dew point, when relative humidity reaches 100%.
Condensation
They are huge, white clouds that resemble popcorn. They indicate fair weather, but when they darken and increase in size, heavy rains are expected.
Cumulus clouds
They are low and flat clouds that bring rain, sleet, snow, frozen rain, or all of them at once.
Stratus clouds