ESS Term 1 Exam Review: Universe, Earth Systems, Soil, and Energy

Vocabulary flashcards covering cosmological models, Earth's habitability, soil horizons and conservation, and renewable vs. non-renewable energy sources from the ESS exam review notes.

Geocentric Model

A cosmological model proposed by Ptolemy featuring a fixed Earth at the center, using complex secondary orbits called epicycles on deferents to explain apparent retrograde motion.

Heliocentric Model

A cosmological model proposed by Copernicus with the Sun at the center, explaining planetary retrograde motion as an optical illusion created when Earth overtakes slower outer planets.

Epicycles

Complex secondary circular orbits added onto primary circular orbits (deferents) in the geocentric model to account for the apparent retrograde motion of planets.

Big Bang Theory

A theory asserting that the universe expanded from an extremely hot, dense singularity approximately $13.8\text{ billion}$ years ago.

Steady State Theory

A cosmological theory proposing that the universe is infinitely old and continuously expanding while maintaining a constant average density through continuous creation of matter.

Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR)

Faint radiation coming from all directions in space at approximately $2.725\text{ K}$, discovered in 1965 by Penzias and Wilson as decisive evidence supporting the Big Bang Theory.

Goldilocks Zone

The orbital distance from the Sun that provides an ambient energy flux to maintain surface temperatures within the critical window where water remains liquid.

Philippine Trench

A deep ocean trench located east of Mindanao formed where dense oceanic lithosphere subducts beneath lighter overriding plates.

Physical Gravity Concentration

A mercury-free gold extraction method utilizing equipment such as sluice boxes, shaking tables, and centrifuges to eliminate toxic mercury discharge.

O Horizon

The surface organic litter layer of a soil profile, composed of loose, partially decomposed leaves and organic residues.

A Horizon

The topsoil layer, dark and fertile, enriched with thoroughly decomposed organic matter known as humus.

B Horizon

The subsoil or Zone of Accumulation where fine clay particles, iron oxides, and soluble minerals gather via illuviation from upper layers.

C Horizon

The soil layer consisting of partly weathered parent material, made of fragments and broken pieces of underlying bedrock.

R Horizon

The unweathered bedrock layer that serves as a continuous, solid parent rock base beneath the soil profile.

CLORPT

An acronym representing the five primary factors that influence soil formation: Climate (Cl), Organisms (O), Relief/Topography (R), Parent Material (P), and Time (T).

Ferruginous Weathering

Accelerated tropical chemical weathering caused by high temperatures and heavy rainfall that leaches soluble base cations and leaves residual iron oxides, turning soil red.

Monoculture Farming

The repeated cultivation of the exact same crop year after year without crop rotation, which continuously depletes specific soil nutrients.

Slash-and-Burn (Kaingin)

The agricultural clearing and burning of sloping forest plots, which eliminates root anchors and organic cover, leading to severe topsoil erosion.

Leachate

A toxic liquid formed when rainwater percolates through decomposing waste in unlined open dumpsites, contaminating subsoil and underlying aquifers.

Contour Hedgerows (SALT)

An agricultural practice of planting rows of nitrogen-fixing trees or shrubs along elevation contour lines on sloping farmland to break slope length and trap sediment.

Legume Crop Rotation

The practice of alternating cereal crops with legumes whose root nodules harbor Rhizobium bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen into plant-available nitrates.

Terracing

The practice of modifying steep mountainsides into flat step-like platforms, such as the Ifugao Rice Terraces, to shorten effective slope length and reduce runoff velocity.

Renewable Energy Source

An energy source that is naturally replenished within a short time frame and is practically inexhaustible.

Non-Renewable Energy Source

An energy source that takes millions of years to form and is consumed far faster than it can naturally be replaced.

Geothermal Energy

Heat energy derived from within the Earth that generates renewable electricity continuously around the clock without requiring fuel mining.

Pulangi IV

A hydroelectric power plant located in Maramag, Bukidnon whose electricity output drops during prolonged dry spells due to its dependence on rainfall and river flow.

Malampaya Project

A landmark Philippine natural gas project offshore Palawan that transports gas through an undersea pipeline over $500\text{ km}$ long to power plants in Batangas.

Philippine Electricity Generation Mix

The national breakdown of power sources consisting of Coal ($60\%$), Natural Gas ($14\%$), Geothermal ($10\%$), Hydropower ($8\%$), Solar/Wind/Biomass ($6\%$), and Oil-based ($2\%$).