Chapter 1 Flashcards

1
Q

something that answers the question “why and how” and it has been tested repeatedly and has so far always been true.

A

Theory

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2
Q

scientific study of the physical universe (origin, evolution, fate)

A

Cosmology

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3
Q

science of celestial bodies and phenomena (characteristics, position, motion, composition)

A

Astronomy

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4
Q

It states that the universe began as a hot and infinitely dense point. This tiny “singularity” violently exploded, and from that explosion, all matter, energy, space, and time were created.

A

The big bang theory

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5
Q

Proofs of big bag

A

Hubble’s law
Cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation
Abundance of light elements

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6
Q

Galaxies have been observed to be moving from the Earth at speeds that are proportional to their distance.
• Supports the expansion of the universe and suggests that it was once compacted

A

Hubble’s law

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7
Q

• Pervades (spread through) ALL the known universe.
• The CMB is the evidence of the theory’s statement that if the universe was extremely hot and extremely small at one point in time, then there should be evidence of this extreme temperature across the universe

A

Cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation

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8
Q

•The sheer volume of light elements, Hydrogen and Helium in the observable universe.
•Supports the model since these are the first elements to form in the high- energy environment during and shortly after the Big Bang.

A

Abundance of light elements

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9
Q

Expansion implies that at some point the universe was smaller
… if it is expanding, the universe must have been smaller

A
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10
Q

Streak of light seen when a meteoroid heats up in the atmosphere

A

Meteor

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11
Q

Rocky body smaller than a planet that orbits the sun

A

Asteroid

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12
Q

Meteor fragment that reaches the ground

A

Meteorite

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13
Q

Icy body that releases gases as it orbits the sun

A

Comet

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14
Q

Rocky or metallic fragment of an asteroid, comet, or planet

A

Meteoroid

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15
Q

Models of the universe

A

Geocentric Model by Claudius Ptolemy
Heliocentric Model by Nicolaus Copernicus

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16
Q

Earth-centered
• The sun, moon, stars and the 5 planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) moved around the Earth.
• Planets moved with respect to fixed stars, changing brightness, changing speed, and having retrograde motion.

A

Geocentric model by Claudius Ptolemy

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17
Q

Sun-centered
• heliocentrism, a cosmological model in which the Sun is assumed to lie at or near a central point.

A

Heliocentric Model by Nicolaus Cupernicus

18
Q

Theories on the Origin of the Solar System build up of the idea on the ———

A

Angular Momentum

19
Q

Formed about 4.5 billion years ago
A dense cloud of interstellar gas and dust from a nearby exploding star (supernova) eventually formed a solar nebula – a spinning, swirling disk of material

A

Solar Nebula

20
Q

• Star passed closed enough to the sun, creating huge tides and causing materials to be ejected.
• These smaller masses quickly cooled and became numerous planetesimals. • The accretion of planetesimals created the larger bodies or protoplanets.

A

Planetesimal theory

21
Q

• A massive star passed by the Sun, drawing from it a tidal filament.
• The gravitationally unstable filament broke up with each condensation forming a protoplanet.
• A dualistic theory

A

Tidal theory

22
Q

The dense area of the Nebula and the gaseous matter surrounding it ceased to rotate uniformly
• Under the influence of turbulence and tidal action, the nebula broke into whirlpools of gas within a rotating mass called protoplanets.

A

Protoplanet Theory

23
Q

—— drive the Earth’s subsystems. It is through these cycles that earth materials are recycled and replenish.

A

Biogeochemical cycles

24
Q

Earth’s four Spheres

A

Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
Biosphere
Lithosphere/Geosphere

25
Q

•Largest of the four spheres
•Comprises the solid portion of the Earth
•Extends 6,400 km from the surface down to the core

A

Geosphere

26
Q

Layers of the geosphere

A

Crust
Mantle
Core

27
Q

a cold, thin, brittle outer shell made of rock; less than 1% of Earth by mass
• Oceanic crust
• Continental crust

A

Crust

28
Q

hot, ultramafic rock; it represents about 68% of Earth’s mass
• Scientists discovered that mantle is made of rock based on evidence from seismic waves, heat flow and meteorites

A

Mantle

29
Q

dense metallic (mostly composed of iron); makes about 31% of the Earth

A

Core

30
Q

•Accounts for more than 70% of the Earth’s surface area
•Not limited to the water we see on the surface; groundwater is part of the hydrosphere cycle

A

Hydrosphere

31
Q

Layer of gaseous envelope that surrounds the planet on the surface and extends thinly into space

A

Atmosphere

32
Q

Layers of atmosphere

A

Exosphere
Thermosphere
Mesosphere
Stratosphere
Troposphere

33
Q

contains mainly oxygen and hydrogen

A

Exosphere

34
Q

very hot & high amount of x-rays and UV radiation

A

Thermosphere

35
Q

serves as a shield for meteorites

A

Mesosphere

36
Q

contains much of the ozone

A

Stratosphere

37
Q

lowest part and the part we live in

A

Troposphere

38
Q

A set of layers of gases that blankets the planet held by the planet’s gravity. It is consisted of 78% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon and 0.04% water vapor including all other gases. Different layers of the atmosphere include the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere.

A

Atmosphere

39
Q

It is the liquid component of the Earth including oceans, glacial waters, and freshwater bodies that covers 70% of the earth’s surface; 98% of the water on Earth is saltwater.

A

Hydrosphere

40
Q

•Includes all forms of life on Earth
•Includes organisms found in the deepest parts of the oceans and highest parts of the atmosphere

A

Biosphere

41
Q

It is the solid sphere of the earth. This is where geologic processes such as volcanism and orogenesis (mountain building) take place. The lithosphere is a part of the geosphere that is composed of the solid, outermost part of the planet.

A

Geosphere

42
Q

This is the living sphere of the earth. It is the totality of all the ecosystems in the whole planet. It compels us to interact with other living organisms with the influence of the abiotic factors in the system.

A

Biosphere