Earth Science Concepts

Flashcards covering key concepts in Earth Science including definitions, principles, and their significance.

Earth Science

The study of Earth’s interior, its rocks and soil, its atmosphere, its oceans, and outer space.

Unifying Principles

Frameworks for understanding new information in Earth Science.

Convection

The process where heat inside Earth causes magma to rise and fall, leading to mountains, earthquakes, and volcanoes.

Radiation

Heat from the sun that warms Earth's surface and influences weather and climate.

Gravity

An attraction that pulls two objects together, keeping planets in orbit and causing things to fall.

Friction

A force that occurs when two objects rub against each other, slowing down their movement.

Lithosphere

The rigid outer shell of the Earth, including the crust and solid uppermost part of the mantle.

Hydrosphere

All the water on Earth, including oceans, lakes, rivers, glaciers, and groundwater.

Atmosphere

The blanket of gases surrounding Earth, providing oxygen and protecting from radiation.

Biosphere

All organisms on Earth and the environments in which they live.

Geology

The study of materials that make up the Earth and processes that change these materials.

Meteorology

The study of the atmosphere and the processes that produce weather.

Oceanography

The study of Earth’s oceans, organisms in salty water, and physical and chemical ocean properties.

Astronomy

The study of all objects beyond Earth’s atmosphere.