CU Earth Science Unit 1

Science

A body of knowledge about the natural world

Hypothesis

A statement that logically explains an observation of nature and is testable

Scientific Theory

A statement that logically explains a series of observations based on evidence

Scientific Law

A brief statement (equation) that describes a behavior in nature

Geology

Study of the Earth

Meteorology

The study of the Atmosphere & Atmosphere Processes

Oceanography

The Chemistry, Physics, Geology, & Biology of the Ocean

Astronomy

The study of the Universe

Climatology

The study of Earth’s Climate

Matter

A physical substance that occupies space, mass mass, and is made of atoms

Atom

The smallest division of matter that retains all properties of that matter. Made with a nucleus, protons, neutrons, and electrons

Element

Atom with specific # of protons in nucleus

Element that has lost electrons

Cation

Element that has gained electrons

Anion

Isotope

Element with a different number of neurons in nucleus (changes mass, but not charge)

AMU

Atomic Mass Unit

Protons have a _____ charge

positive

Neutrons have a _____ charge

neutral

Electrons have a _____ charge

negative

Elements can combine to create

Compounds, Molecules, & Metals

Mineral

A basic building block of Earth’s materials

5 criteria to be considered a mineral

SINCE solid, inorganic, naturally occurring, crystalline structure, expressed as a formula

Process of Science

Testing Ideas, Exploration & Discovery, Community, & Benefits & Outcomes

Elements in Earth’s Crust

Oxygen (46.6), Silica (27.7), Aluminum (8.1), Iron (5), Calcium (3.6), Sodium (2.8), Potassium (2.6), & Other (1.5)

Luster

The way light interacts with the surface of the mineral

Diaphaneity

How light moves through a mineral

Streak

The color of a mineral in powder form

Isolines

lines on a map that connect points of equal value for whatever phenomena you are mapping

Contour lines

connect points of equal elevation relative to mean sea level

Isotherms

connect points of equal temperature

Isobars

connect points of equal barometric pressure

Isohyets

connect points of equal precipitation values