Earth Science Concepts: Changes, Scales, Variables, Graphs, and Rates

A complete set of 126 vocabulary flashcards covering basic Earth Science concepts including change, scale, variables, relationships, graph types, slopes, rates, formulas, and scientific notation.

Change

A difference in something over time.

Stability

When something stays the same or mostly unchanged.

Cyclic Change

A change that repeats in a predictable pattern.

Non-Cyclic Change

A change that does not repeat in a predictable pattern.

Example of Cyclic Change

Day and night.

Example of Non-Cyclic Change

A volcanic eruption.

Apparent Non-Cyclic Change

Occurs if you observe a cyclic change for too short a time to see the repeating pattern.

Temporal Scale

The amount of time over which a change occurs.

Question Answered by Temporal Scale

How long does the change take?

Short Temporal Scale

A change that occurs over a short period of time.

Example of Short-Term Change

Weather changing during one day.

Long Temporal Scale

A change that occurs over a long period of time.

Example of Long-Term Change

The formation of mountains.

Spatial Scale

The size of the area affected by a change.

Question Answered by Spatial Scale

How large of an area does the change affect?

Local Scale

A change affecting a small area.

Example of Local Change

A thunderstorm in one town.

Regional Scale

A change affecting a larger region.

Example of Regional Change

A hurricane affecting several states.

Global Scale

A change affecting Earth as a whole.

Example of Global Change

Global climate change.

Difference Between Temporal and Spatial Scale

Temporal describes how long a change takes, whereas spatial describes how large an area it affects.

Difference Between Cyclic and Non-Cyclic Change

Cyclic changes repeat predictably, while non-cyclic changes do not.

Variable

Something that can change or be measured.

Relationship Between Variables

A connection where changes in one variable relate to changes in another.

Stating a Relationship

Requires naming the variables, describing how they change, and identifying the relationship type.

Direct Relationship

As one variable increases, the other increases; as one decreases, the other decreases.

Inverse Relationship

As one variable increases, the other decreases, and vice versa.

Cyclic Relationship

A relationship where a variable repeatedly increases and decreases in a predictable pattern.

Constant Relationship

One variable changes while the other stays the same.

Identifying a Direct Relationship

Both variables move in the same direction.

Identifying an Inverse Relationship

The variables move in opposite directions.

Cyclic Relationship Graph Appearance

A repeating wave or pattern.

Constant Relationship Graph Appearance

A horizontal line.

Example of a Direct Relationship

Sunlight and plant growth.

Example of an Inverse Relationship

Pressure and volume.

Line Graph

A graph that uses points connected by lines to show how something changes over time.

Best Use for Line Graphs

Showing change over time.

Graph Shape or Pattern Significance

Shows the type of relationship between variables.

Steepness of a Line

Shows how quickly something is changing.

Slope

The steepness of a line on a graph.

Steeper Line Meaning

Represents a faster rate of change.

Flatter Line Meaning

Represents a slower rate of change.

Horizontal Line Meaning

Indicates that the dependent variable is not changing.

Positive Slope Meaning

The dependent variable increases as the independent variable increases.

Negative Slope Meaning

The dependent variable decreases as the independent variable increases.

Steep Positive Slope Meaning

The dependent variable is increasing quickly.

Less-Steep Positive Slope Meaning

The dependent variable is increasing more slowly.

Steep Negative Slope Meaning

The dependent variable is decreasing quickly.

Less-Steep Negative Slope Meaning

The dependent variable is decreasing more slowly.

Constant Slope Meaning

The rate of change stays the same.

Changing Slope Meaning

The rate of change is changing.

Meaning of "Steeper = Faster"

A steeper slope represents a faster rate of change.

Meaning of "Flatter = Slower"

A flatter slope represents a slower rate of change.

Rate

The amount something changes compared with another quantity, usually time.

Information Provided by Rate

Tells how quickly something changes.

Representation of Slope on a Line Graph

Represents the rate of change.

Constant-Rate Graph Appearance

A straight line with a constant slope.

Increasing Rate

A rate that gets faster over time.

Increasing-Rate Graph Appearance

It gets steeper.

Decreasing Rate

A rate that gets slower over time.

Decreasing-Rate Graph Appearance

It gets flatter.

Constant Rate in a Direct Relationship

Yes; a direct relationship can have a constant rate with a straight positive slope.

Changing Rate in a Direct Relationship

Yes; a direct relationship can have a changing rate as its slope increases or decreases.

Constant Rate in an Inverse Relationship

Yes; an inverse relationship can have a constant rate with a steady negative slope.

Changing Rate in an Inverse Relationship

Yes; an inverse relationship can have a changing rate as its slope increases or decreases.

Coffee Temperature Over Time

As time increases, the temperature decreases.

Speed of Coffee Cooling

Coffee does not cool at the same speed the entire time; it usually cools more slowly over time.

Relationship Describing Coffee Cooling

An inverse relationship with a decreasing rate.

Scatter Plot

A graph that uses individual points to show the relationship between two variables.

Utility of a Scatter Plot

Helps you see patterns and relationships between variables.

Data Best Shown with a Scatter Plot

Data showing the relationship between two variables.

Line of Best Fit

A line that shows the overall trend of data in a scatter plot.

Purpose of a Line of Best Fit

To show the general relationship or trend between variables.

Formula for Rate

$$\text{Rate} = \frac{\text{change}}{\text{time}}$$

Compound Units

Units made from two or more units, such as distance per time.

Formula for Speed

$$\text{Speed} = \frac{\text{distance}}{\text{time}}$$

Common Units for Speed

$\text{m/s}$, $\text{km/h}$, or $\text{mi/h}$

Speed Effect when Distance Increases at Constant Time

Speed increases.

Speed Effect when Same Distance Takes More Time

Speed decreases.

Purpose of Scientific Notation

Writing very large or very small numbers more simply.

General Form of Scientific Notation

A number multiplied by a power of $10$, with the first number between $1$ and $10$.

Exponent Function in Scientific Notation

Tells how many places and which direction the decimal point moves.

Meaning of a Positive Exponent

The number is greater than $1$ when written in standard form.

Meaning of a Negative Exponent

The number is between $0$ and $1$ when written in standard form.

Zeros in a Thousand

Three ($3$).

Zeros in Ten Thousand

Four ($4$).

Zeros in a Million

Six ($6$).

Zeros in a Billion

Nine ($9$).

Zeros in a Trillion

Twelve ($12$).

Direct Meaning on a Graph

Both variables increase or both decrease together.

Inverse Meaning on a Graph

One variable increases while the other decreases.

Constant Meaning on a Graph

The dependent variable stays the same while the independent variable changes.

Cyclic Meaning on a Graph

The pattern repeats predictably.

Steeper Line Representation

A faster rate of change.

Flatter Line Representation

A slower rate of change.

Horizontal Line Representation

No change in the dependent variable.

Straight Line with Constant Slope Representation

A constant rate of change.

Behavior of an Increasing-Rate Line

It becomes steeper.

Behavior of a Decreasing-Rate Line

It becomes flatter.