Earth Science Midterm Studying

Geology

The study of Earth's physical structure, including the surface and interior.

Meteorology

The study of the atmosphere, especially weather and forecasting.

Astronomy

The study of the universe, including stars, planets, and comets.

Oceanography

The study of Earth's bodies of water such as oceans, rivers, lakes, and ponds.

Cartography

The study and creation of maps.

Map

A representation with length and width but no depth.

Ideal Map - Shape

Accurately represents shapes.

Ideal Map - Distance

Accurately represents size and distance.

Ideal Map - Direction

Accurately represents directions.

Oblate Spheroid

Earth's true shape; slightly flattened at the poles and bulged at the equator.

Polar Circumference

40,007 km.

Equatorial Circumference

40,074 km.

Map Projection

A technique used by cartographers to create maps.

Conformal Map

Map where shape is accurate but size is distorted.

Equal-Area Map

Map where size is accurate but shape is distorted.

Latitude

Lines running east-west that measure distance north or south of the equator.

Parallels

Lines of latitude.

Equator

Imaginary circle halfway between the North and South Poles.

Longitude

Lines running north-south that measure distance east or west of the Prime Meridian.

Meridians

Lines of longitude.

Prime Meridian

0° longitude, passes through Greenwich, England.

Longitude Range

0° to 180°.

Longitude Distance

No fixed distance per degree because lines are not parallel.

Map Scale

Ratio of map distance to actual Earth distance.

Verbal Scale

Written scale (example: 1 cm = 1 km).

Numeric Scale

Scale written as a ratio or fraction.

Graphic Scale

Scale shown as a line divided into known distances.

Topographic Map

Map that uses contour lines to show elevation.

Contour Line

Line connecting points of equal elevation.

Index Contour Line

Every fifth contour line; darker and labeled.

Contour Interval

Difference in elevation between contour lines.

Depression Contour

Contour with tick marks showing a closed depression.

Rule of the V's

Contour V-shapes point upstream when crossing streams.

Slope

Steepness of the land.

Slope Formula

Rise divided by run.

Topographic Profile

Side view of Earth's surface.

Vertical Exaggeration

Comparison of vertical scale to horizontal scale.

Vertical Exaggeration Formula

Horizontal scale divided by vertical scale.

Weather

Atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place.

Climate

Long-term average weather of a region.

Observation

Information gathered using the five senses.

Inference

Conclusion based on observations and prior knowledge.

Hypothesis

Testable explanation, usually written as an if-then statement.

Theory

Well-supported explanation based on extensive evidence.

Thermometer

Measures temperature.

Barometer

Measures air pressure.

Hygrometer

Measures humidity.

Sling Psychrometer

Uses wet and dry bulbs to find relative humidity and dew point.

Wind Vane

Measures wind direction.

Anemometer

Measures wind speed.

Rain Gauge

Measures amount and rate of precipitation.

Atmosphere

Blanket of gases surrounding Earth.

Troposphere

Lowest layer; contains most water vapor; temperature decreases with altitude.

Stratosphere

Layer above troposphere; temperature increases with altitude.

Ozone Layer

Protective layer rich in ozone that absorbs UV radiation.

Mesosphere

Layer where temperature decreases with altitude.

Thermosphere

Upper layer where temperature increases with altitude.

Insolation

Incoming solar radiation.

Angle of Insolation

Angle at which sunlight hits Earth's surface.

Radiation

Heat transfer by electromagnetic waves.

Conduction

Heat transfer by direct contact.

Convection

Vertical heat transfer by moving fluids.

Advection

Horizontal heat transfer by wind.

Albedo

Reflectiveness of a surface.

Solid

Definite shape and volume; particles vibrate in place.

Liquid

Definite volume; takes shape of container.

Gas

No definite shape or volume; particles move freely.

Melting

Solid to liquid; cools surroundings.

Freezing

Liquid to solid; warms surroundings.

Evaporation

Liquid to gas; cools surroundings.

Condensation

Gas to liquid; warms surroundings.

Calorie

Heat needed to raise 1 g of water by 1°C.

Food Calorie

1 kilocalorie or 1000 calories.

Heat of Fusion

80 calories per gram needed to melt ice.

Heat of Vaporization

540 calories per gram needed to evaporate water.

Humidity

Amount of water vapor in the air.

Specific Humidity

Actual amount of water vapor in air.

Capacity

Maximum water vapor air can hold.

Relative Humidity

Specific humidity divided by capacity times 100.

Dew Point

Temperature when air becomes saturated.

Condensation Nuclei

Particles water vapor condenses onto.

Rain

Large liquid droplets that fall quickly.

Drizzle

Fine mist that falls slowly.

Freezing Rain

Rain that freezes on contact.

Sleet

Ice pellets formed before reaching ground.

Hail

Irregular layered ice clumps.

Snow

Six-sided ice crystals.

Cumulus

Puffy clouds associated with fair weather.

Stratus

Low gray clouds with little precipitation.

Nimbostratus

Low dark clouds with steady precipitation.

Cumulonimbus

Tall storm clouds producing thunder, lightning, hail, or tornadoes.

Cirrus

High wispy ice clouds.

Fog

Cloud near Earth's surface.

Orographic Effect

Effect of mountains on weather.

Rain Shadow Effect

Dry conditions on leeward side of mountains.

Adiabatic Cooling

Cooling as air rises and expands.

Adiabatic Heating

Warming as air sinks and compresses.

Air Pressure

Force exerted by air on a surface.

Standard Sea Level Pressure

29.92 in Hg or 1013.2 mb.

Isobar

Line connecting equal air pressure.