C2: Earth’s Physical Systems (Vocab)

Question 1

Law of Conservation of Matter

Answer 1

A principle, matter can change from one thing to another but cannot be created or destroyed.

Question 2

Element

Answer 2

A type of matter, a substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.

Question 3

Isotope

Answer 3

2 or more of the same element that differ in # of neutrons. They have different physical properties b/c they differ in mass.

Question 4

Half-Life

Answer 4

The amt it takes one half of a radioisotope atom to decay + emit radiation.

Question 5

Organic Compound

Answer 5

Compound made of carbon atoms (generally hydrogen) joined by a covalent or ionic bond.

Question 6

pH

Answer 6

A measure of the concentration of the H ions in a solution. Scale from 0-14, 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic, above is basic. [H+] > [OH-] = acidic [H+] = [OH-] = neutral [H+] < [OH-] = basic (OH- = hydronium)

Question 7

Photosynthesis

Answer 7

Process by which autotrophs (producers), produce their own food. Plant cells combining sun E w/ CO2 + H2O, producing glucose for food (byproduct O2). 6CO2 + 6H2O + sun E ——> C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6O2 + E

Question 8

Cellular Respiration

Answer 8

Process which releases glucose back to its original materials (reverse of photosynthesis), H2O + CO2. Causes a release of chem E that can be used to form chemical bonds. C6H12O6 + 6O2 ——> 6H2O + CO2 + E

Question 9

Mantle

Answer 9

A malleable (less dense, elastic) layer of rock under the earths crust, surrounding an iron core (contains 2 parts, upper (asthenosphere) and uppermost (lithosphere)

Question 10

Asthenosphere

Answer 10

Portion of the upper mantle, below the lithosphere, containing soft rock and some melted areas.

Question 11

Lithosphere

Answer 11

Outer layer of the earth, including the uppermost mantle and the entire major layer of the earths crust (sediment, rocks, and soil).

Question 12

Continental Crust

Answer 12

Thin, brittle, low density layer covering earth, floats atop the mantle.

Question 13

Divergent Plate Boundary

Answer 13

The action of tectonic plates pushing apart, as magma rises, creating new lithosphere. (Ex. Mid Atlantic Ridge)

Question 14

Transformation Plate Boundary

Answer 14

Where 2 tectonic plates meet up and slip (grind) alongside one another creating friction along strike slip faults, resulting in earthquakes.

Question 15

Convergent Plate Boundary

Answer 15

Where 2 plates come together, can cause subduction and/or continental collision.

Question 16

Subduction

Answer 16

Process by which denser crust slides beneath lighter crust at a converging plate boundary, can cause volcanic eruption.

Question 17

Continental Collision

Answer 17

Meting of 2 tectonic plates at a convergent plate boundary, both resisting subduction, crushing together, bending and deforming layers of rock. Can create mountain ranges.

Question 18

Rock

Answer 18

Solid combination of minerals

Question 19

Mineral

Answer 19

Naturally created solid element or inorganic compound w/ defined chemical composition (structure) and distinct physical properties.

Question 20

Igneous Rock

Answer 20

Forms from the cooling of magma +/or lava (ex. Granite and basalt). There can be intrusive igneous rock, slowly cooled magma, creating crystal clusters (granite) or extrusive igneous, quickly cooled magma (basalt).

Question 21

Sedimentary

Answer 21

Rock (physically pressed) forms through the dissolution of minerals seeping thought sediment (remains of rocks), acting like glue binding and crystallizing sediment particles (ex. Sandstone)

Question 22

Metamorphic Rock

Answer 22

Rock formed by heat +/or pressure, reshaping appearance and physical properties (ex. Marble and limestone)

Question 23

Mass wasting

Answer 23

Downslope movement of soil and rock due to gravity. Occurs naturally, but can be caused by humans and practices that expose +/or loosen soil.

Question 24

Thermodynamics

Answer 24

Study of relationships b/t different forms of E.

Question 25

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Answer 25

Principle stating that the nature of energy tend to change from a more ordered state to a lesser one. Randomness and lack of predictability.

Question 26

Tectonic Plates

Answer 26

Sections of of crust, shape the earth w/ their slow movement. Build mountains, cause earthquakes and influence landscape.

Question 27

Weathering

Answer 27

Dissolution (deterioration) of rock, minerals, soils, and wood that can be caused by water, ice, acids, plants, animals, temp change, and effects of tectonic plate movement. (No movement)

Question 28

Erosion

Answer 28

Process that removes soil, rock, and dissolved material from one place to another that’s caused by exposed dirt, hard rain, flowing water, farming, and land clearing. Leaves top soil vulnerable

Question 29

Basalt

Answer 29

A type of extrusive igneous rock, made form quickly cooled magma.

Question 30

Granite

Answer 30

A type of intrusive igneous rock, made up of crystal clusters, by slowly cooled magma.

Question 31

Anthropocene

Answer 31

Period of time when human activities impacted the environment enough to cause a distinct geological change.

Question 32

Holocene

Answer 32

The time/era since the end of the last ice age or glacial epoch (period, era). Rapid growth and impacts of human species worldwide.

Question 33

Oceanic Crust

Answer 33

Outermost part of earths lithosphere, found under oceans and formed at separating centers of ocean ridges, occurring at divergent plate boundaries.

Question 34

Polar molecule

Answer 34

Molecule w/ one slightly negative end and one slightly positive end, unequal sharing of electrons (ex. H2O)

Question 35

Riftzone

Answer 35

Areas where the volcano is breaking apart, typically weak areas w/ many cracks, easy escapes for magma.

Question 36

Valley

Answer 36

Low area of land between hills and mountains created by running rivers and shifting glaciers.

Question 37

Solvent

Answer 37

Substance that can dissolve another substance (ex. Water) and create solutions