Middle School Science Review: Nature of Science, Earth, and Physical Science

A set of 10 flashcards based on lecture notes covering scientific investigations, Earth's layers, plate tectonics, and forms of energy.

What three components are included in a typical scientific experiment?

Independent variables (what you change), dependent variables (what you measure), and constants (what stays the same).

What is the outermost layer of the Earth where we live?

The crust.

What are the properties of the Earth's mantle?

It is thick and contains slowly moving rock material.

What is the composition and state of the Earth's outer core?

It is liquid and made mostly of iron and nickel.

Why is the Earth's inner core solid despite high temperatures?

It is solid due to extreme pressure.

What causes the slow movement of the Earth's tectonic plates?

Convection currents in the mantle.

What are the three types of plate boundaries mentioned in the notes?

Convergent, divergent, or transform.

How is energy defined in the study of forms of energy?

Energy is the ability to do work or cause change.

What does the law of conservation of energy state?

Energy is conserved and cannot be created or destroyed.

What factors determine gravitational potential energy?

Height and mass.