Term 

Definition 

Diffusion

The movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to low concentration,

Particle Movement

movement of particles in all directions and a different speeds

First Law of Thermodynamics

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed to another form. 

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Entropy of the universe is always increasing

Plate boundaries

a fracture that separates one plate from another

Earthquakes

shaking and vibration of the Earth's crust due to movement of the Earth's plates (plate tectonics)

S-waves

Transverse waves that travel through only solids, slower than p-waves

P-waves

Longitudinal/Compression waves that travel through gas, liquid, and solid, fastest waves

Body Waves

Travel through the Earth’s interior and happens twice in bursts

Surface Waves

Travel across the surface/crust of the earth, travel slowest → more damage

Convergent Boundaries

Two continental plates collide and mountain ranges are formed with deep earthquakes 

Divergent Boundaries

moving away from each other allows magma to push up through the crust and form new, young crust. Has shallow earthquakes and makes mid-ocean ridges and young sea floor 

Transform Boundaries

Transform boundaries are places where plates slide sideways past each other and has shallow earthquakes.

Convection

Transfer of heat through liquid 

Conduction

transfer of heat  by contact 

Radiation

Transfer of thermal energy by contact

Continental crust 

older, thicker, less dense, and make up the earth’s continents

Oceanic Crust 

younger, thinner, more dense, makes up the earth’s ocean floor, and sinks lower

Entropy 

amount of disorder in a system