Quarter 3 Test Review Notes

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the Quarter 3 test review notes.

Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)

A significant solar weather event where up to 100 million tons of magnetized plasma is ejected from the Sun's surface.

Speed of CMEs

Can exceed speeds of two million miles per hour.

Impact of CMEs on Earth

Disrupts electrical grids and communications if Earth's path aligns with the CME.

Space Weather

Conditions in space influenced by solar activity.

Causes of Space Weather

Solar surface activity impacting Earth-based technology and communication.

Electrically Charged Gases

Create strong magnetic fields on the Sun's surface.

Solar Phenomena

Includes sunspots and solar flares, resulting from continuous movement of gases.

Sunspots

Dark cooler areas on the Sun's surface, approximately 6,500 °F.

Cause of Sunspots

Form in regions with strong magnetic fields preventing heat from the Sun's interior from reaching the surface.

Solar Prominences

Large loops of plasma linking sunspots, illustrating the Sun's magnetic field lines.

Solar Flares

Intense bursts of energy visible as bright areas on the Sun's surface.

Cause of Solar Flares

Result from reorganizing magnetic field lines near sunspots releasing energy.

Layers of the Sun

Includes corona, chromosphere, photosphere, core, radiative zone, and convective zone.

Corona

Outermost layer of the Sun, sometimes hotter than layers below.

Chromosphere

Layer where solar flares and prominences occur.

Photosphere

The visible surface of the Sun where sunspots are found.

Core of the Sun

Where nuclear fusion occurs, transforming hydrogen into helium.

Radiative Zone

Layer where photons carry energy outward, taking about 50 million years to traverse.

Convective Zone

Layer where hot plasma rises and cools, affecting energy transfer to the surface.

Conduction

Heat transfer through direct contact, such as ground heating air.

Convection

Movement of heated air displacing cooler air, like warm air rising.

Radiation

Heat transfer via electromagnetic waves, such as sunlight.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Full range of electromagnetic radiation types emitted by the Sun, including visible light.

White Light

Seen as colors and part of the solar spectrum.

Refraction

Bending of light waves transitioning through different media.

Earth's Atmosphere

Layer of gases surrounding Earth, absorbing harmful UV rays.

Ozone Layer

Critical for absorbing UV radiation to protect life on Earth.

Greenhouse Effect

Traps heat in the atmosphere, regulating Earth's temperature.

Mechanical Waves

Waves that require a medium to travel, such as sound waves.

Electromagnetic Waves

Waves that can travel through a vacuum, exhibiting wave-particle duality.

Biosphere

All living organisms on Earth.

Atmosphere

Layer of gases surrounding Earth.

Hydrosphere

All water on Earth, including oceans and lakes.

Geosphere

Earth's crust and interior structure.

Cryosphere

Frozen water bodies, such as glaciers.

Geosphere & Hydrosphere Interaction

Erosion processes expose soil and shape landscapes.

Hydrosphere & Biosphere Interaction

Water cycle impacts ecosystems, such as precipitation effects.

Atmosphere & Biosphere Interaction

Weather patterns influence living conditions for organisms.

Cryosphere Effects

Melting glaciers affect sea levels and ecosystems.

Geosphere Composition

Includes rocks, minerals, and soil, influenced by Earth's layering.

Water Distribution on Earth

70% of Earth's surface is water; 97% saltwater, 2% frozen, <1% fresh.

Reclaimed Water

Example of water conservation practices, like in Pompano Beach.

Atmosphere Composition

Consists of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and trace amounts of other gases.

Air Pollution Implications

Significant health impacts and global statistics related to air quality.

Weather vs Climate

Weather refers to short-term conditions; climate refers to long-term trends.

Scientific Investigative Methods

Focus on variables and data accuracy in research.

Earth Systems Interaction

Earth's systems dynamically interact to shape global climate and ecological systems.

Eureka, CA Weather

Cool, dry summers with cold, wet winters.

Long Beach, NY Weather

Warm, humid summers; cold, windy winters with a variety of conditions.

Water Cycle Definition

Continuous movement of water on Earth through several key processes.

Evaporation

Conversion of liquid water to vapor, crucial for atmospheric moisture.

Sublimation

Transition from ice/snow directly to vapor, occurring at low humidity and altitude.

Condensation

Process leading to cloud formation and various forms of precipitation.

Precipitation Types

Includes rain, snow, and other forms resulting from condensation.

Satellite Observations

NASA utilizes satellites for data collection on weather and climate trends.

Oceans' Role in Climate

Oceans stabilize temperature and influence weather patterns.

Tornado Facts

Tornadoes are prevalent in 'Tornado Alley'; safety advice is crucial during severe weather.

Climate Change Impacts

Increased severe weather and fluctuating precipitation patterns due to global warming.

Earth Structure Layers

Includes crust, mantle, and core; maximum drilling depth is 12 km.

Seismic Waves

Provide information on Earth's interior; differentiated by P-waves and S-waves behaviors.

Law of Superposition

Older geological layers lie beneath younger layers.

Radiometric Dating

Method for determining rock ages through decay processes.

Relative Dating

Method for determining geological age by comparison.

Plate Tectonics Theory

Evolution of theories based on empirical evidence including fossil records.

Jekyll Island Overview

Barrier island off Georgia's coast with attractions and diverse wildlife.

Weathering Types

Includes physical (mechanical) and chemical (reactive) weathering.

Soil Formation

Contributes to soil, influenced by particle size and erosion effects.

Rock Types

Includes igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic, classified by their formation processes.

The Rock Cycle

Illustrates the transition between rock types due to geological processes.

Groundwater Importance

Aquifers are key components of Earth's water system, facing regional challenges.

Law of Crosscutting

Geological features provide insights into relative ages of rocks.

Index Fossils

Key to correlating geological time spans effectively.

Uniformitarianism

Modern processes help to explain past geological events and changes.

Force and Motion Types

Includes contact forces and forces acting at a distance.

Newton's Laws of Motion

Explain the relationship between forces, motion, mass, and weight.

Friction

Resists motion; essential for understanding dynamics of movement.

Moon as a Natural Satellite

Influences Earth through its phases and tidal effects.

Solar Eclipse

Occurs when the Moon is between Earth and the Sun.

Lunar Eclipse

Occurs when Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the Moon.

Spring Tides

Extreme tides produced by the alignment of Earth, Moon, and Sun.

Neap Tides

Calmer tides produced by the alignment of Earth, Moon, and Sun.