Earth Science – Universe, Solar System & Earth Systems (Lecture Review)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture on the universe, Solar System, minor celestial bodies, Earth science branches, Earth’s spheres, and fundamental scientific methods.

Big Bang Theory

Scientific explanation that the universe began in an extremely hot, dense state and has been expanding and cooling ever since.

Biblical Theory

Belief based on the Bible that God created the heavens, Earth, and all within them in six days.

Cosmology

Branch of science that studies the origin, evolution, and fate of the universe.

Universe

The vast expanse containing all space, time, matter, energy, galaxies, stars, gas, and dust.

Solar System

The Sun and all objects gravitationally bound to it, including planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and dwarf planets.

Terrestrial Planets

Inner planets composed mainly of rocky materials (silicates, iron, nickel), with slower rotation and thin or no atmospheres.

Jovian Planets

Outer ‘gas-giant’ planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) that rotate rapidly and possess thick atmospheres.

Dwarf Planet

Celestial body orbiting the Sun, massive enough to be spherical but not clear its orbit of debris.

Pluto

First discovered dwarf planet, reclassified from major planet status in 2006.

Haumea

Elongated dwarf planet located beyond Neptune, known for its rapid rotation.

Makemake

Dwarf planet in the Kuiper Belt, slightly smaller than Pluto.

Ceres

The only dwarf planet located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Comet

Small icy body—often called a ‘dirty snowball’—that develops a glowing coma and tail when near the Sun.

Coma (of a comet)

The glowing head of a comet produced when its frozen gases vaporize near the Sun.

Meteoroid

Small rocky or metallic body traveling through space; becomes a meteor when it enters Earth’s atmosphere.

Meteor

The streak of light seen when a meteoroid burns while passing through Earth’s atmosphere.

Meteorite

Fragment of a meteoroid that survives passage through the atmosphere and lands on Earth.

Meteor Shower

Event when Earth passes through a swarm of meteoroids, producing many meteors in the sky.

Asteroid

Small rocky object orbiting the Sun, mostly located between Mars and Jupiter.

Asteroid Belt

Region of space between Mars and Jupiter containing most of the Solar System’s asteroids.

Cosmologist

Scientist who studies the origin, structure, and evolution of the universe.

Earth Science

Study of planet Earth, its systems, and its place in the universe.

Geology

Branch of Earth Science that examines Earth’s solid materials, structure, and history.

Meteorology

Branch that studies the atmosphere, weather, and climate.

Astronomy

Science of celestial objects, space, and the physical universe as a whole.

Oceanography

Study of Earth’s oceans, including their composition, movement, and life forms.

Lithosphere

Earth’s rigid outer layer, including the crust and uppermost mantle.

Hydrosphere

All water on Earth—oceans, lakes, rivers, groundwater, and water vapor.

Atmosphere

Layer of gases surrounding Earth.

Geosphere

Collective term for Earth’s solid rocks, minerals, and landforms.

Biosphere

All living organisms on Earth and the environments in which they reside.

System (scientific)

Set of interacting components forming an integrated whole.

Earth System Science (ESS)

Study of interactions among Earth’s spheres (atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, biosphere).

Observation

Information gathered through the senses or instruments about the environment.

Instrument

Device that extends human senses to make more precise observations.

Measurement

Quantitative expression of an observation for greater precision.

Classification

Grouping of objects or events based on similar observed properties.

Hypothesis

Proposed explanation or solution to a scientific problem, testable through experiments.

Dependent Variable

Variable measured during an experiment; plotted on the vertical (Y) axis.

Independent Variable

Variable controlled or known in advance; plotted on the horizontal (X) axis.

Inference

Interpretation or conclusion drawn from observations.

Length

Basic dimensional quantity representing distance between two points.

Mass

Amount of matter in an object.

Time

Measure that indicates when events occur and duration.

Temperature

Measure of the average internal energy (heat) of a substance.

Oxygen

Gas essential for respiration in most living organisms and a major component of Earth’s atmosphere.