Comprehensive Earth Science and Biology Review

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering fundamental concepts in Earth Science, Chemistry, and General Biology to assist in exam preparation.

Earth Science

The study of Earth’s structure, processes, and its place in the universe.

Crust

The thin, outermost solid layer of the Earth.

Mantle

A thick layer beneath the crust made of semi-molten rock.

Core

The dense, central layer of the Earth composed mainly of iron and nickel.

Lithosphere

Includes the crust and upper mantle and forms tectonic plates.

Asthenosphere

A soft, flowing layer beneath the lithosphere.

Rock

A naturally occurring solid made of minerals.

Igneous Rocks

Rocks that form from cooled magma or lava.

Sedimentary Rocks

Rocks that form from compacted sediments.

Metamorphic Rocks

Rocks that form when existing rocks change due to heat and pressure.

Rock Cycle

Describes continuous transformation between rock types.

Volcano

An opening where molten material reaches Earth’s surface.

Magma

Molten rock underground.

Lava

Magma when it reaches the Earth's surface.

Magma Formation

Occurs when mantle rocks melt due to heat or pressure changes.

Volcanic Hazards

Dangers associated with volcanoes including lava flows and ash fall.

Earthquake

Ground shaking caused by fault movement.

Faults

Fractures in the Earth where rocks move.

Seismic Waves

Waves that carry energy through the Earth.

Magnitude

A measure of the energy released during an earthquake.

Intensity

A measure of the damage caused by an earthquake.

Weather Patterns

Describe daily atmospheric conditions, including temperature, humidity, and precipitation.

Troposphere

The lowest layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs.

Stratosphere

The layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere.

Humidity

The amount of water vapor in the air.

Precipitation

Any form of water that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth.

Hydrologic Cycle

The continuous movement of water on Earth.

Evaporation

The process by which liquid water changes to vapor.

Condensation

The process where water vapor cools and transforms into liquid.

Infiltration

The process of water seeping into soil.

Groundwater

Water that is stored underground.

Conservation Methods

Ways to protect water resources.

Sustainability

Using resources responsibly.

Solar System

Formed from a collapsing nebula.

Terrestrial Planets

Rocky inner planets.

Gas Giants

Large planets with thick atmospheres.

Dwarf Planets

Small, rounded objects that orbit the Sun.

Moons

Natural satellites that orbit planets.

Asteroids

Rocky objects mainly found in the asteroid belt.

Comets

Icy bodies that develop tails when near the Sun.

Planetary Motion

Planets follow elliptical orbits around the Sun.

Rotation vs Revolution

Rotation is the spinning of a planet, while revolution is its orbit around the Sun.

Axial Tilt

The angle at which a planet is tilted, which affects its seasons.

Kepler's Laws

Laws that describe how planets move around the Sun.

First Law of Planetary Motion

States that planets orbit in ellipses.

Second Law of Planetary Motion

States that equal areas are swept in equal times by planets.

Third Law of Planetary Motion

States that the orbital time of a planet is related to its distance from the Sun.

Stars

Massive glowing balls of gas that undergo a life cycle.

Stellar Life Cycle

The process of a star forming, aging, and dying.

Galaxies

Huge systems of stars and matter.

Chemistry

The study of matter, its properties, and how it changes.

Matter

Anything that has mass and occupies space.

Elements

Pure substances made of one type of atom.

Compounds

Formed by chemically bonded elements.

Homogeneous Mixtures

Uniform composition throughout the mixture.

Heterogeneous Mixtures

Non-uniform composition.

Physical Properties

Characteristics that do not change the identity of a substance.

Chemical Properties

Properties that change the identity of a substance during a reaction.

Phase Changes

Transitions between states of matter.

Melting

The process of changing from a solid to a liquid.

Freezing

The process of changing from a liquid to a solid.

Evaporation

Changing from a liquid to a gas.

Condensation

Changing from a gas to a liquid.

Chemical Reactions

Processes that rearrange atoms to form new substances.

Reactants

Starting substances in a chemical reaction.

Products

Substances formed in a chemical reaction.

Law of Conservation of Mass

Mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.

Synthesis Reaction

Two substances combine to form one product.

Decomposition Reaction

One substance breaks down into two or more products.

Single Replacement Reaction

One element replaces another in a compound.

Double Replacement Reaction

Exchange of ions between two compounds.

Combustion Reaction

A reaction with oxygen that produces energy.

Exothermic Reactions

Reactions that release energy.

Endothermic Reactions

Reactions that absorb energy.

Atom

The smallest unit of an element.

Protons

Positive particles found in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutrons

Neutral particles found in the nucleus of an atom.

Electrons

Negative particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in an atom.

Mass Number

The sum of protons and neutrons in an atom.

Isotopes

Atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Periodic Table

A table organizing elements by atomic number.

Periodic Trends

Patterns such as atomic size and reactivity observed in the periodic table.

Ionic Bonding

The transfer of electrons between atoms.

Covalent Bonding

The sharing of electrons between atoms.

Metallic Bonding

Sharing of electrons in a cloud among metal atoms.

Polarity

Uneven distribution of electrical charge.

Intermolecular Forces

Attractions between molecules.

Physics

The study of matter, energy, and their interactions.

Motion

Change in position over time.

Speed

Distance traveled per unit of time.

Velocity

Speed with a directional component.

Acceleration

The rate of change of velocity.

Force

An interaction that changes the motion of an object.

Net Force

The total force acting on an object.

Inertia

The resistance of an object to change in its state of motion.

Kinetic Energy

The energy of motion.

Potential Energy

Stored energy.

Laws of Motion

Newton's laws that describe the relationship between motion and force.

First Law of Motion

An object at rest stays at rest unless acted upon.