EARTH SCI

Liquid Water

Essential for life on Earth; thought to have originated from volcanism and icy meteors.

Heat Source

Necessary for life; comes from external (sun) and internal (radioactive decay) sources.

Atmosphere

Layer of gas surrounding Earth; regulates temperature and contains vital gases for respiration.

Earth as a Closed System

Fixed amount of matter and resources; waste cannot be disposed of, adhering to the Law of Conservation of Mass.

Law of Conservation of Mass

Matter cannot be created or destroyed; the amount of matter remains constant.

Atmosphere (Subsystem)

Mixture of gases; responsible for meteorological phenomena; contains nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and trace gases.

Geosphere (Lithosphere)

Solid parts of Earth; composed of minerals and rocks; includes geologic landforms.

Hydrosphere

Totality of Earth's water; includes cryosphere; connected to atmospheric water.

Biosphere

All forms of life and organic matter; formed by interactions between Earth's subsystems.

System Linkages

Subsystems linked by biogeochemical cycles; significant activities in one can affect others.

Biogeochemical Cycles

Pathways for chemical movement; water cycle is easily affected by changes in subsystems.

Minerals

Naturally occurring, inorganic solids with definite chemical compositions and ordered internal structures.

Mineraloids

Materials that meet mineral criteria except for having an organized internal structure.

Composition of Minerals

Classified by elements; includes silicates, oxides, sulfides, sulfates, halides, carbonates, and native metals.

Silicates

Minerals primarily composed of silicon-oxygen tetrahedrons; examples include olivine and quartz.

Properties of Minerals

Include crystal structure, physical properties (color, hardness, density), and other characteristics like magnetism and taste.

Rocks

Naturally occurring aggregates of minerals or solid materials; classified into igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.

The Rock Cycle

Describes processes of rock formation, modification, and reformation; occurs in the lithosphere.

Igneous Rocks

Formed by cooling and solidifying magma or lava; can be intrusive or extrusive.

Sedimentary Rocks

Formed from the lithification of particles from pre-existing rocks; includes clastic, chemical, and bioclastic types.

Metamorphic Rocks

Formed from pre-existing rocks altered by heat, pressure, and chemical activity; can be foliated or non-foliated.

Mining

Processes to withdraw useful resources from nonrenewable stocks; includes prospecting, drilling, and extraction.

Locating Ores

Ore bodies are unevenly distributed; potential locations identified through geological processes.

Effects of Mining

Includes erosion, water pollution, deforestation, and other environmental impacts.