Earth Science Exam Review Flashcards

A set of flashcards summarizing key concepts and terminology related to Earth Science for exam preparation.

What provides energy for Earth?

The Sun provides energy for Earth.

What is the speed of light through empty space?

Light travels through empty space at a speed of 300,000,000 m/s.

How long does light take to reach Earth?

It takes 8 minutes for light to reach Earth.

What is Earth's rotation period?

Earth's rotation period is 24 hours, which equals one day.

What is Earth's revolution period?

Earth's revolution period is 365.24 days, which equals one year.

What is the tilt of Earth?

Earth is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees.

What are the layers of the Earth's atmosphere?

The layers of the atmosphere include temperature and atmospheric pressure.

What is the crust made of?

The crust is composed of light rock, primarily silicon and oxygen.

What state is the Earth's crust in?

The Earth's crust is solid.

What is the mantle made of?

The mantle is made of iron and magnesium-rich rock.

What state is the Earth's mantle in?

The mantle is semi-solid.

What is the core composed of?

The core is composed of iron and nickel.

What states can the Earth's core exist in?

The core exists in both solid and liquid states.

What does the lithosphere consist of?

The lithosphere includes the crust and upper mantle.

What does the asthenosphere refer to?

The asthenosphere is a semi-fluid layer beneath the lithosphere.

What does the biosphere include?

The biosphere includes all of Earth's organisms and matter that has not decomposed.

What happens during a solar eclipse?

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon blocks the Sun.

What happens during a lunar eclipse?

A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth blocks sunlight to the Moon.

What causes the seasons on Earth?

The seasons are caused by Earth's tilt of 23.5 degrees, not by its distance from the Sun.

What is a solstice?

A solstice is an event that occurs twice a year when either the longest or the shortest day of the year happens.

What is an equinox?

An equinox is an event that occurs twice a year when day and night are equal in length.

What are spring tides?

Spring tides occur when the Moon's gravity is strongest, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides.

What are neap tides?

Neap tides occur when the Moon's gravity is least strong, resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides.

What are the types of rocks in the rock cycle?

Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.

What is weathering?

Weathering is the process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces.

What is erosion?

Erosion is the movement of sediments by water, wind, ice, or gravity.

What is deposition?

Deposition is the dropping of sediments after being transported.

What is the Law of Superposition?

The Law of Superposition states that in undisturbed sedimentary rocks, the oldest layers are at the bottom.

What is climate?

Climate is the long-term average of weather patterns over many years.

What is the purpose of the ozone layer?

The ozone layer protects Earth from ultraviolet (UV) radiation.