Chapter 1 Vocab Flashcards
The study of earth
Geology
All the sciences that collectively seek to understand earth and it’s surrounding space
Earth science
Scientific study of the oceans and oceanic phenomena
Oceanography
Study of atmosphere and the processes that produce weather and climate
Meteorology
Study of the universe
Astronomy
Water portion of our planet
Hydrosphere
Gaseous portions of the planet
Atmosphere
Totality of life on earth; the parts of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere in which living organisms can be found
Biosphere
Solid earth; lays beneath atmosphere and the ocean
Geosphere
Innermost layer of earth, based on composition
Core
Thick layer of earth located beneath the crust
Mantle
Very thin outermost layer of earth
Crust
Rigid outer layer of earth, including crust and upper mantle
Lithosphere
Subdivision of the mantle situated below the lithosphere
Asthenosphere
Parts of earth which are related to produce a complex and continuously interacting whole
Earth system
A group of interacting parts that form a complex whole
System
Span of time since the formation of earh
Geologic time
Naturally occurring, inorganic crystalline material that has a unique chemical composition
Mineral
Any solid mass of mineral, or mineral-like, matter that occurs naturally as part of our planet
Rock
Smallest particles that exist as an element
Atoms
Number of protons and neutrons in nucleus of an atom
Atomic number
A group of the same type of atoms
Element
States that atoms combine in order that each may have the electron arrangement of a noble gas-outer energy level contains eight neutrons
Octet rule
Strong attractive force that exists between atoms in a substance. Involves transfer or sharing of electrons that allows each atom to attain a full valence shell
Chemical bond
Positively and negatively charged atoms
Ions
Attraction of oppositely charged ions to one another, producing an electronically neutral ionic compound
Ionic bond
Formed by the sharing of a pair of electrons between atoms
Covalent bond
Appearance or quality of light reflected from the surface of a mineral
Luster
Color of a mineral in powdered form
Stream
Common shape of individual crystals or aggregates of crystals
Crystal shape/ habit
Minerals toughness or resistance to breaking or deforming
Tenacity
Measure of a minerals resistance to abrasion or scratching
Hardness
Tendency of a mineral to break along planes of weak bonding
Cleavage
Any break or rupture in a rock along which no appreciable movement has taken place
Fracture
Mass per unit volume
Density
Ratio of a minerals weight to the weight of an equal volume of water
Specific gravity
Few dozen must abundant minerals that make up most common rocks
Rock-forming minerals
Mineral used extensively in manufacture of products
Economic minerals
Most common mineral group
Silicates
Four oxygen atoms surrounding smaller silicon atom
Silicon-oxygen tetrahedron
Silicate mineral that lacks iron and/or magnesium
Light-silicate mineral
Silicate mineral that contains ions of iron and/or magnesium in its structure
Dark-silicate mineral
