science review

Earth Science

The study of Earth and its place in the universe, including its materials, processes, and human interactions.

Geology

The branch of Earth science that studies the solid Earth, including rocks, mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes.

Meteorology

The branch of Earth science that studies the atmosphere and weather.

Oceanography

The branch of Earth science that studies oceans, including waves, tides, currents, and marine life.

Astronomy

The branch of Earth science that studies space, stars, planets, and the universe.

Environmental Science

The branch of Earth science that studies human interactions with Earth.

Geosphere

The solid Earth, comprising all the rocks and crust.

Hydrosphere

All water on Earth, including oceans, rivers, and glaciers.

Atmosphere

The gases surrounding Earth, composed mostly of air.

Biosphere

All living things on Earth and their interactions.

Mineral

A naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and crystal structure.

Igneous Rock

Rock formed from the cooling of magma or lava.

Sedimentary Rock

Rock formed from compacted sediments, often found in layers and can contain fossils.

Metamorphic Rock

Rock formed from heat and pressure changing other rocks.

Tectonic Plates

Large slabs of Earth's crust that float on the mantle and move due to convection currents.

Divergent Boundary

A type of plate boundary where tectonic plates move apart, forming mid-ocean ridges.

Convergent Boundary

A type of plate boundary where tectonic plates move together, leading to subduction or mountain formation.

Transform Boundary

A type of plate boundary where tectonic plates slide past each other, causing earthquakes.

Seismograph

An instrument used to measure and record earthquakes.

Fossil

Remains or traces of ancient life, used for dating rock layers.

Geologic Time Scale

A timeline that represents the history of Earth, divided into eons, eras, periods, and epochs.

Crust

The thin, outermost layer of Earth.

Mantle

The largest layer of Earth, solid but flows slowly, and moves the tectonic plates.

Outer Core

The liquid layer composed of iron and nickel, responsible for Earth's magnetic field.

Inner Core

The solid inner layer of Earth, made of iron and nickel.

Spring Tide

The highest and lowest tidal heights that occur when the Sun and Moon are aligned.

Neap Tide

The weakest tides that occur when the Sun and Moon are at right angles to each other.

Solar Eclipse

An event where the Moon blocks the Sun's light during a New Moon.

Lunar Eclipse

An event where Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the Moon during a Full Moon.

Oblate Spheroid

The shape of Earth, slightly flattened at the poles.

Heliocentric Model

The correct astronomical model where the Sun is at the center of the solar system.

Geocentric Model

The outdated model where Earth is believed to be at the center of the universe.

Gravity

A force that attracts objects towards each other, stronger when objects are closer or have more mass.

Inertia

The resistive force that keeps objects moving forward in their orbit.