Science summative earth systems Flashcards
(23 cards)
Geology
the science that deals with the earth’s physical structure and substance, its history, and the processes that act on it
Formation
In Earth science and ecosystems, formation means how natural things like mountains, rivers, or habitats are created over time.
When did Earth form, and how?
🌍 Earth formed 4.6 billion years ago,
🌌 Along with the rest of the solar system.
Q: What evidence helps us reconstruct early Earth’s history?
Radiodating of meteorites, moon rocks, and Earth’s oldest minerals
Sizes & compositions of solar system objects
Cratering on planetary surfaces
Q: What are the Earth’s internal layers (2D/3D model)?
Crust (outermost)
Mantle (middle, where convection occurs)
Core (inner, solid + liquid parts)
🔥 Thermal convection in the mantle drives plate tectonics
Q: What is an example of feedback between Earth’s systems?
🌫️ More greenhouse gases → 🌡️ Higher temps
↓
❄️ Ice melts → 🌍 Less sunlight reflected
↓
🌡️ More warming → ❄️ Even less ice
Q: How does the carbon cycle move carbon through Earth’s systems?
Carbon moves through:
🌊 Ocean
🌬️ Atmosphere
🌱 Biosphere (including humans)
🌾 Soil
It supports the foundation of living organisms
Q: What is coevolution of Earth systems and life? Give an example.
Living things and Earth systems change together.
Example:
🌿 Photosynthetic life → 🌬️ More oxygen
↓
🪨 More weathering
↓
🐠 Evolution of animal life
Q: What is another coevolution example?
🧫 Microbes on land created soil
↓
🌳 Soil allowed plants to evolve on land
Q: What are meteorites and why are they important?
☄️ Meteorites are space rocks that give us clues about Earth’s formation and the early solar system.
Q: What is the geosphere?
Crust
Mantle
Core
It includes rocks, minerals, landforms, and Earth’s interior.
Q: What is the hydrosphere?
The hydrosphere includes all water on Earth:
Oceans
Lakes
Rivers
Glaciers
Groundwater & water vapor
Q: What is the atmosphere?
🌬️ The atmosphere is the layer of gases around Earth,
Essential for weather, climate, and protecting life.
Q: What is the biosphere?
🌱 The biosphere includes all living things:
Plants, animals, fungi, microbes — including humans.
Q: What is a feedback system in Earth science?
🔁 A feedback system is when a change in one part of Earth affects another, causing a chain reaction.
Example: Ice melting → more heat absorbed → more melting.
Q: What is thermal convection and why is it important?
Thermal convection is heat rising and sinking in the mantle.
It causes plate tectonics and movement of Earth’s crust.
Q: What does geoscience study?
🧪 Geoscience studies Earth’s systems, structure, materials, and history using data and observations.
Q: What was the Great Oxidation Event?
🌬️ A time when photosynthetic life added oxygen to the atmosphere,
🌍 Changing Earth’s chemistry and enabling animal evolution.
Q: What is the Cambrian Explosion?
A period (~541 million years ago) when many new life forms rapidly evolved, especially animals with hard parts.
Q: What does radiodating tell us?
Radiodating uses radioactive decay to find the absolute age of rocks and meteorites.
It helps tell how old Earth is.
Q: What is coevolution?
🧬 Coevolution means life and Earth systems change together over time, influencing each other.
Q: What should students be able to describe from their own research?
Students should give:
A feedback example between Earth systems
A coevolution example showing how life and Earth changed each other
Q: What is the carbon cycle?
The carbon cycle is the movement of carbon through:
🌬️ The atmosphere (as CO₂)
🌊 The ocean (dissolved CO₂ and marine life)
🌱 The biosphere (plants, animals, humans)
🌾 The soil (dead organisms, waste)
It is essential because carbon is a building block of life, and this cycle helps regulate Earth’s climate and ecosystems.
