Atomic Structure, Earth Science, and Climate Vocabulary

A collection of vocabulary terms and definitions derived from the lecture notes covering atomic particles, material purity, weather, climatology, glaciation, and atmospheric science.

Nucleus

A dense area at the center of an atom that contains protons and neutrons.

Protons

Subatomic particles located in the nucleus with a positive electrical charge and much more mass than electrons.

Neutrons

Subatomic particles located in the nucleus with no electrical charge and the same mass as protons.

Electrons

Subatomic particles with a negative electrical charge and almost no mass.

Carat

A measurement of the purity of gold, where pure gold is 24 carat and 18 carat gold is $\frac{18}{24} \times 100\% = 75\%$ gold.

Translucent

A property of a material that allows light to pass through it.

Atmosphere

The layer of air that surrounds Earth or the layer of gas that surrounds any other object in space.

Climate

The weather condition prevailing in an area over a long period of time, usually more than 30 years.

Climatology

The study of climate.

Humidity

A measure of how much water vapour is in the atmosphere.

Meteorology

The study of weather.

Statistics

Analysis of large quantities of numerical data.

Visibility

How far you can see.

Weather

The state of the atmosphere and conditions in a particular place, such as sunny, rainy, or frosty.

Boulder

A large rock.

Cycle

A regular changing pattern from one thing to another, such as the water cycle.

Glacial period

The coldest part of an ice age when ice sheets spread further from the poles.

Glaciers

Rivers of ice formed from snow that have become compressed over a long time.

Ice ages

Times when part of the Earth has permanent ice.

Interglacial period

A warmer part of an ice age with permanent ice confined near the North and South poles.

Peat bog

An area of wetland where dead plant material decays very slowly without oxygen in slightly acidic conditions.

Auger

An instrument used by scientists to remove a core of soil from a peat bog to take historical samples.

Renewable resources

Natural resources that do not run out and can be replaced by normal processes within a human's lifetime.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants use carbon dioxide and water to produce food and oxygen, represented by $\text{Carbon dioxide} + \text{water} \rightarrow \text{glucose} + \text{oxygen}$.

Bioplastic

A biodegradable material that comes from renewable sources.