Earth Science Lecture Review

Flashcards for reviewing Earth's structure, atmosphere, and environmental impacts.

Crust

The solid outer layer of the Earth, broken into tectonic plates.

Mantle

A layer of Earth that behaves as a slow-moving fluid.

Earth's Atmosphere Composition (Nitrogen)

Approximately 78% of the Earth's atmosphere is composed of Nitrogen (N2).

Earth's Atmosphere Composition (Oxygen)

Approximately 21% of the Earth's atmosphere is composed of Oxygen (O2).

Earth's Atmosphere Composition (Argon)

Approximately 0.9% of the Earth's atmosphere is composed of Argon (Ar).

Earth's Atmosphere Composition (Carbon Dioxide)

Approximately 0.04% of the Earth's atmosphere is composed of Carbon Dioxide (CO2).

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants use carbon dioxide and water, with light, to create glucose and oxygen.

What’s pollutant

They are harmful substances released into environment like air, water or land

Types of pollutants

Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide,particulates (soot),surfer dioxide, nitrogen oxide

Greenhouse Effect

The process where water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane trap energy, keeping the Earth warm enough to support life.

Global Warming

The increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, leading to climate change.

Combustion

A chemical process that involves the rapid reaction between a substance with an oxidant, usually oxygen, to produce heat and light.

Complete Combustion

Combustion that occurs when there is plenty of oxygen, producing carbon dioxide and water, and releasing more energy.(blue flame)

Incomplete Combustion

Combustion that occurs when oxygen is limited, producing carbon monoxide, soot (carbon), and less energy; it is more polluting.(orange flame)

Fuel

A substance that contains a store of chemical energy and releases it when it burns via reaction with oxygen.

Life Cycle Assessment

An evaluation of the environmental impact of a product throughout its life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal.

Reduce (Waste)

To consume less in the first place, like buying fewer disposable products or items with less packaging.

Reuse (Waste)

To use things again, like refilling water bottles or donating old clothes, to extend the life of a product.

Recycle

To break down waste materials to make new products, like paper, glass, plastic, and metal.

Ceramics

Non-metallic solids with high melting points that aren't made from carbon-based compounds.

Glass (Soda-lime)

Made from sand + sodium carbonate + limestone mixed and heated until melted to form a shape.

Glass (Borosilicate)

Made from sand + boron trioxide used for cookware and art.

Clay

A mineral found in the ground that is plastic when wet and hard when fired.

Composite

Made by combining two different materials: reinforcement fiber or fragments within a binder material.