Earthscience BYU P2

All galaxies are held together by gravity.

True

The Earth's lithosphere is composed only of continental crust.

False

The Earth is the only planet in the solar system that experiences plate tectonics.

False

The hydrosphere includes all water on Earth, including water vapor in the atmosphere.

True

Redshift occurs when galaxies move toward Earth.

False

The outermost layer of gases surrounding the Earth.

Atmosphere

All water on Earth in any form.

Lithosphere

The region of the atmosphere closest to Earth's surface.

Troposphere

The part of the Earth where living organisms exist.

Biosphere

The shifting of light toward the red end of the spectrum due to galaxies moving away is called _______.

redshift

_______ is the process where plants use sunlight to create food from carbon dioxide and water.

Photosynthesis

What is the universe made of?

Matter, energy, and forces.

What is the main component of matter?

Atoms

What is an element?

Matter made up of identical atoms.

What percentage of matter in the universe is hydrogen?

90%

What is electromagnetic radiation?

Energy that travels through space as waves.

What does the electromagnetic spectrum represent?

The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation.

What are the four major systems of Earth?

Atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.

What are ecosystems made up of?

Biotic (living) and abiotic (nonliving) components.

What holds the solar system together?

Gravity

What causes the northern and southern lights (aurora)?

Solar particles interacting with Earth’s atmosphere.

What is the big bang theory?

The theory that the universe originated from an enormous explosion.

What is redshift?

The shift of light towards the red end of the spectrum, indicating an object is moving away.

What is the Doppler effect in astronomy?

A change in the frequency of waves as an object moves towards or away from an observer.

What is background radiation?

The remnant radiation from the early universe, supporting the big bang theory.

What is the electromagnetic spectrum?

The range of all wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.

What does redshift tell us about the movement of galaxies?

They are moving away from Earth, suggesting the universe is expanding.

What tool do scientists use to study the light from stars?

A spectroscope.

What is a star?

A luminous sphere of plasma held together by gravity.

What is the life cycle of a star?

Birth (nebula), life (main sequence), death (white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole).

What is a supernova?

The explosion of a star at the end of its life cycle.

What elements are produced in stars?

Heavier elements up to iron are produced in stars through fusion.

What happens during the formation of a star?

Gas and dust from a nebula collapse under gravity to form a star.

What are the inner planets made of?

Rocky materials (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars).

What are the gas giants?

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.

What is the asteroid belt?

A region of space between Mars and Jupiter where many asteroids are found.

How do planets orbit the sun?

Due to the force of gravity.

What causes Earth's seasons?

The tilt of Earth's rotational axis.

What is the role of the sun in the solar system?

It provides energy that drives processes like the water cycle and supports life on Earth.

What are biotic factors?

Living organisms in an ecosystem.

What are abiotic factors?

Non-living components like temperature, sunlight, and soil.

What is photosynthesis?

The process by which plants use sunlight to make food from carbon dioxide and water.

What is a food web?

A system of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.

What is dynamic equilibrium in an ecosystem?

A state of balance where organisms and resources remain stable over time.

What are the major Earth biomes?

Tundra, forest, grassland, desert, aquatic biomes.

What is biodiversity?

The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

What is extinction?

The dying out of a species.

What is a mass extinction?

A widespread and rapid decrease in the number of species on Earth.

How can biodiversity be maintained?

Through conservation efforts, sustainable practices, and reducing human impact.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms and their interactions with their environment.

Galaxy

A system of millions or billions of stars, along with gas and dust, held together by gravity.

Solar System

The sun and all the objects that orbit it.

Telescope

Used to observe distant objects by collecting electromagnetic radiation (like light). They allow scientists to study planets, stars, galaxies, and other celestial bodies.

Microwave Radiometer

Measures radiation in the microwave range, often used to observe temperatures in outer space and atmospheric moisture on Earth.

Radio Telescope

Detects and collects radio waves from space, allowing scientists to study distant objects like galaxies, stars, and black holes that emit radio frequency energy.

Thermometer

Measures temperature. In Earth Science, it’s used for measuring atmospheric, oceanic, or terrestrial temperatures.

Barometer

measures atmospheric pressure, which is used to predict weather and understand altitude effects.