Science 9 Practice Review: Plate Tectonics, Electricity, and EM Spectrum

Vocabulary flashcards covering core topics in Science 9 including plate tectonics, continental drift evidence, electric circuits, Ohm's law, and the electromagnetic spectrum.

Subduction

The process in tectonic plate interactions where one plate bends and sinks beneath another into the mantle.

Infrared Radiation

Electromagnetic radiation positioned between microwaves and visible light, commonly used in TV remote controls and thermal heat cameras.

Parallel Circuit

An electrical circuit configuration containing multiple branches where the voltage across each branch remains the same, allowing connected devices to operate independently.

Series Circuit

An electrical circuit containing only one single path for electric current, where adding additional loads increases total resistance and causes bulbs to dim.

Radio Waves

Electromagnetic waves with the longest wavelength, widely utilized for telecommunications as well as AM and FM broadcasting.

Glossopteris

Fossils of an ancient plant found across South America, Africa, India, Antarctica, and Australia, providing evidence that these landmasses were once connected.

Mesosaurus

Fossils of an ancient reptile discovered in both South America and Africa, supporting the theory that these continents were previously joined.

Divergent Boundary

A plate boundary where two tectonic plates move away from each other, allowing magma to rise and solidify into new crust.

X-rays

High-energy electromagnetic radiation used in medical imaging to produce non-surgical visual representations of broken bones.

Alfred Wegener

The scientist who proposed the Continental Drift Theory and the existence of the ancient supercontinent Pangaea.

Pangaea

The single supercontinent proposed by Alfred Wegener that existed before continental drift separated it into modern continents.

Mid-Ocean Ridge

An underwater mountain system and crustal structure that commonly forms along a divergent boundary where oceanic plates separate.

Ammeter

A measuring instrument connected in series within an electrical circuit to measure electric current.

Deep-Ocean Trench

A steep, deep depression in the ocean floor formed at convergent boundaries where an oceanic plate bends and sinks into the mantle.

Gamma Rays

Electromagnetic waves exhibiting the highest frequency and shortest wavelength, used to sterilize sealed medical supplies by destroying microorganisms.

Ohm's Law

The fundamental electrical relationship stated as $I = \frac{V}{R}$, where current ($I$) equals voltage ($V$) divided by resistance ($R$).

Transform Boundary

A plate boundary where two plates slide past each other horizontally, building friction and releasing stored energy as earthquakes.

Ampere

The standard unit of measurement used to quantify electric current.

Ultraviolet Radiation

High-frequency electromagnetic radiation blocked by sunscreen to protect skin cells, and utilized in specialized lamps for hospital room disinfection.

Biological Evidence (Continental Drift)

Identical fossil remains of ancient terrestrial organisms discovered on separate, distant continents, demonstrating that the landmasses were once connected.

Oceanic Subduction

A tectonic process that accounts for the simultaneous presence of an offshore deep trench, frequent earthquakes, and an inland chain of volcanoes.

Series Total Resistance

The overall resistance in a series circuit calculated by adding individual resistances together, such as $3\,\Omega + 5\,\Omega = 8\,\Omega$.