COMPLETE EARTH SCIENCE STUDY GUIDE (English)

Proton (p)

Subatomic particle with a positive charge located in the nucleus.

Neutron (n)

Subatomic particle with no charge located in the nucleus.

Electron (e)

Subatomic particle with a negative charge that orbits around the nucleus.

Ionic Bond

A chemical bond where one atom transfers electrons to another, exemplified by salt (NaCl).

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond where atoms share electrons, exemplified by diamond.

Mineral

A naturally occurring, inorganic, solid substance with a definite chemical composition and crystalline structure.

Mohs Scale

A scale that ranks minerals based on their hardness, from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).

Cleavage

The mineral's ability to break along smooth, flat planes, as seen in mica.

Fracture

The way a mineral breaks with rough, irregular surfaces, as seen in quartz.

Silicates

The most common mineral group, containing silicon and oxygen, including quartz and feldspar.

Felsic

Igneous rocks that are high in silica, resulting in light color and low density, such as granite.

Mafic

Igneous rocks that are high in magnesium and iron, resulting in dark color and high density, such as basalt.

Lithification

The process of turning sediments into sedimentary rock through compaction and cementation.

Stratification

The layering of sedimentary rocks.

Detrital Rock

A type of sedimentary rock made from fragments of other rocks, classified by grain size.

Contact Metamorphism

Metamorphism that occurs when rocks are heated by nearby magma.

Regional Metamorphism

Metamorphism that affects large areas under high pressure and temperature.

Foliated Rock

Metamorphic rocks with a banded or layered appearance due to the alignment of minerals under pressure.

Non-foliated Rock

Metamorphic rocks lacking a layered or banded texture, for example, marble.

Rock Cycle

The continuous process of rock formation and transformation between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.

Atomic Number (at#)

The number of protons in an atom; identifies the element.

Atomic Mass (atm)

The sum of protons and neutrons in an atom.

Atomic Charge (atch)

The difference between the number of protons and electrons in an atom.

Alpha Radiation

Radiation that emits a helium particle, reducing protons and neutrons by 2.

Beta Radiation

Radiation resulting from a neutron turning into a proton and releasing an electron, increasing protons by 1.

Gamma Radiation

High-energy radiation that does not change the number of protons, neutrons, or electrons in an atom.