2.1 Stability of the Solar System

Asteroid

A rocky, metallic, object with an irregular shape that orbits the sun.

Absolute Dating

deals with finding the actual dates that geological events occured using the process of radioactive decay.

Comet

A relatively small, cosmic snowball of frozen gases, rock, and dust that orbits the sun; when it gets close enough to the sun it warms and releases gases creating its signature "tail"

Crater

A depression in the surface of a planet caused by an impact or volcanic eruption.

Deposition

A process when sediments are "dropped" in a new location.

Erosion

The process when sediments are moving due to wind, water, gravity, or glaciers.

Half-Life

The amount of time it takes for half of a radioactive element to decay to a stable daughter product.

Permeability

The ability of a fluid to pass through a substance.

Porosity

Empty space in a substance; having pores or tiny holes.

Radioactive Decay

The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus (a.k.a. the parent isotope) disintegrates into a more stable nucleus called the daughter product.

Subatomic Particle

a particle smaller than an atom, such as a proton, neutron, or electron

Weathering

The process of breaking down sediment - either physically or chemically.