Earth's Physical Systems and Geology Overview

Matter

Material with mass and occupies space.

Energy

Capacity to change position or composition.

Geology

Study of Earth's physical structure and processes.

Chemistry

Study of matter and its interactions.

Atoms

Smallest units of matter, building blocks of molecules.

Elements

Substances made of atoms with specific properties.

Isotopes

Atoms with same protons, different neutrons.

Radioactive isotopes

Isotopes that decay, releasing radiation.

Half-life

Time for half of a radioactive sample to decay.

Ions

Atoms with unequal protons and electrons.

Hydrogen bonds

Weak bonds between hydrogen and electronegative atoms.

Ionic bonds

Electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Covalent bonds

Chemical bonds formed by sharing electrons.

Water's specific heat

Water requires significant energy for temperature change.

Polarity of water

Unequal distribution of charge, making it a solvent.

pH scale

Measures acidity or basicity of a solution.

Organic compounds

Compounds primarily consisting of carbon.

Macromolecules

Large molecules essential for life functions.

Proteins

Molecules that perform various functions in cells.

Nucleic acids

Biomolecules that carry genetic information.

Nucleotides

Subunits of nucleic acids, forming polymers.

Phospholipids

Key components of cell membranes.

Plate tectonics

Theory explaining movement of Earth's crustal plates.

Earth's crust

Outer layer of Earth, composed of tectonic plates.

Transform boundary

Plate boundary where plates slide past each other.

Convergent boundary

Boundary where one plate dives beneath another.