Earth and Space Science

Earth Rotation

The spinning of Earth on its axis that causes days

Moon Revolution

The movement of the Moon around Earth that defines months

Earth Revolution

The movement of Earth around the Sun that defines years

Time Zones

Areas of Earth based on the position of the Sun at noon

Zenith Point

The location where the Sun is directly overhead

Seasons

Caused by Earth tilt as it revolves around the Sun

Lunar Eclipse

Occurs when Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the Moon

Solar Eclipse

Occurs when the Moon blocks sunlight from reaching Earth

Lunar Phases

The changing appearance of the Moon during its orbit

Tides

The rise and fall of ocean levels caused by gravity

Spring Tides

Extreme tides when Sun and Moon align

Neap Tides

Weak tides when Sun and Moon pull at right angles

Solar System

Objects that orbit the Sun

Centrifugal Force

Balance between inertia and gravity

Inner Planets

Mercury Venus Earth and Mars

Outer Planets

Jupiter Saturn Uranus and Neptune

Asteroids

Rocky objects orbiting the Sun

Comets

Objects made of rock and ice

Meteors

Rock fragments that strike planets

Galaxy

A massive group of stars

Milky Way

A spiral shaped galaxy containing Earth

Earth Inner Core

The hottest and most dense layer

Earth Outer Core

A liquid metal layer surrounding the inner core

Earth Mantle

A thick layer beneath the crust

Earth Crust

The thin outer layer of Earth

Igneous Rock

Rock formed from cooled magma or lava

Magma

Molten rock beneath Earth surface

Lava

Molten rock on Earth surface

Metamorphic Rock

Rock changed by heat and pressure

Sedimentary Rock

Rock formed from compacted sediments

Weathering

The breakdown of rock by chemical or physical processes

Erosion

The movement of weathered material

Older Landforms

Smoother shapes due to long erosion

Fossil Record

Preserved remains that help date rock layers

Geologic Timescale

Long periods of Earth history

Fossil Fuels

Compressed ancient biological material

Mineral

A substance with a single chemical composition

Rock

A mixture of minerals

Mineral Hardness

A property measured by scratch tests

Mineral Streak

The powder left when a mineral is scraped

Plate Tectonics

Theory that continents move over Earth surface

Pangaea

A single ancient supercontinent

Continental Drift

Movement of continents over time

Convergent Boundary

Plates push together forming mountains

Divergent Boundary

Plates pull apart forming new crust

Transform Boundary

Plates slide past causing earthquakes

Natural Hazard Mitigation

Reducing damage from geological events

Water Cycle

The movement of water through Earth systems

Evaporation

Water changing from liquid to gas

Condensation

Water vapor forming droplets

Precipitation

Water falling as rain snow or hail

Runoff

Water flowing over land

Infiltration

Water soaking into the ground

Salinity

The amount of salt in water

Estuary

Where freshwater meets saltwater

Hydrosphere

All water on Earth

Atmosphere

The layer of gases surrounding Earth

Biosphere

All living organisms

Lithosphere

The solid Earth

Thermal Properties of Water

Water absorbs large amounts of heat

Water Density Ice

Ice floats because it is less dense

Water Solvent Ability

Water dissolves many substances

High Pressure System

Usually brings fair weather

Low Pressure System

Usually brings storms

Ocean Currents

Large movements of ocean water

Gulf Stream

A warm current affecting the east coast

Arctic Current

A cold current flowing south

Weather Forecasting Technology

Tools used to predict weather

Surface Observations

Measurements of weather conditions

Radar

Detects precipitation over large areas

Satellites

Observe large scale weather patterns

Geostationary Satellites

Remain over the equator

Polar Orbiting Satellites

Travel over polar regions

Cloud Formation

Condensed water vapor in the atmosphere

Lightning

Electrical discharge in storms

Thunder

Sound caused by rapidly expanding air

Wind

Air moving from high to low pressure

Coriolis Effect

The rotation of air due to Earth rotation

Tides Coastal Effects

Isolated areas have stronger tides

Wave Formation

Waves are created by wind