Earth Science Flashcards
nuclear reactions occur when atoms of one species of chemical element are transformed into atoms of another species by nuclear change.
Nuclear Energy
the splitting of heavy atoms into lighter atoms
fission
combination of two light atoms to form a heavier atom
fusion
Some of the radioactive elements that
decay are:
a. Uranium -235
b. Uranium – 238
c. Thorium -232
a form of energy conversion in which heat energy from within Earth is captured and harnessed
Geothermal Energy
a form of energy conversion in which heat energy from within Earth is captured and harnessed
Geothermal Energy
Advantages of Geothermal
Good for the Environment, Reliable Source of Renewable Energy, Less electricity, Little to No Maintenance
Disadvantages of Geothermal
Ecological problem, Geographical limits, Seismic instability, Expensive construction, Possible tank exhaustion
the power generated by the energy from falling water or fast running water
Hydroelectric Energy
Advantages of Hydroelectric
Renewable, Do not pollute, Reliable, Adjustable water flow and output of electricity, Safe
Disadvantages of Hydroelectric
Environmental Consequences, Expensive, Droughts, Limited Reservoirs
describes the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity.
Wind power or wind energy
is the movement of air caused by differences in atmospheric pressure
Wind
a modern system usually have three long blades that spin and cause the turbines to generate electricity
Wind Farm
Advantages of Wind Energy
Clean energy, Renewable, Space-efficient, Low-cost energy, Promotes job growth
Disadvantages of Wind Energy
Unpredictable, Threat to birds, Noise, Need to be built high, Location limitations
energy harnessed from the light and heat of the Sun
Solar energy
Advantages of Solar
pollution free, Reduced dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels, Renewable, Return on investment, no maintenance (last 30 years), Creates jobs, Use batteries to store extra power for use at night, Efficient
is the oldest source of energy, energy from biological material derived from living or recently deceased organisms
Biomass
Disadvantages of Solar
High initial costs, Needs lots of space, No solar power at night, Cloudy days do not produce as much energy, Not massed produced
Advantages of Biomass
Renewable, Carbon Neutrality, Versatile, Availability, Reduce Waste, Domestic Production
Disadvantages of Biomass
Not Completely Clean, Burning wood and other plant life does create other emissions in addition to carbon, High Costs in Comparison to Other Alternatives, Possible Deforestation, Space, Requires Water
are thermal power stations which generate electrical energy from heat
Nuclear power plants
generate electrical energy from heat
Thermal Power Stations
houses several turbines as well as the generator necessary for electrical power generation
Turbine Building
where the nuclear reactor is housed
Containment Building
tall as 200 meters, where hot water is cooled
Cooling Tower
is a fresh water found in the rock and soil layers beneath the surface, the largest reservoir of liquid fresh water on earth
Groundwater
water bearing rock layers. Hold ground water in tiny cracks,
cavities, and pores between mineral grains
Aquifers
is the total amount of empty pores spaces in the rock, it determines the amount of groundwater that an aquifer can hold
Porosity
Is the ability of rock or sediments to allow water to pass through it
Permeability
spaces between the particles
are filled mainly with air
Zone of aeration/unsaturated zone
spaces between the particles are filled with water
Zone of saturation
boundary between the zone of saturation
Water table
groundwater seeps up to fill the pores spaces in the zone of aeration by capillary action
Capillary fringe
land area where water enters
the ground and replenish the ground water
Recharged zone
area where the ground water flows out of the aquifer and onto land surface or even in submarine environment
Discharged zone
Activities Affecting the Quality of Water
- Population Growth
- Movement of large number of people
- Demands for greater food security and higher living standards
- Increase competition between different uses of water resources
- Pollution from factories, cities, and farmlands
are the places where water resides for varying amount of time
Reservoir
the process of liquid water changes into water vapor
Evaporation
evaporation of water from the leaves and the stems of the plant
Transpiration
passage of water and food
Vascular bundles
attracted to the roots of the plant and moves upward
Xylem
food substance is going down
Phloem
the process of movement of molecules from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration
Law of Diffusion
the protective layer of the plant
Cell membrane
water selectively goes in the cell membrane
Process of Osmosis
where the extra amount of water (water droplets) passes through
Stomata
phase transition of a substance directly from the solid to gas phase without passing through intermediate liquid phase ex. dry ice
Sublimation
change from vapor into liquid or solid
Condensation
process where water from atmosphere is transferred to earth’s surface in liquid or solid form as rain, snow, or hail
Precipitation
also known as the water cycle
Hydrologic Cyle
the total amount of water in the planet, also known as the Earth’s water budget
Earth’s Water
Global world ocean covers 71% of earth numerous seas, gulfs, bays and straits
Saltwater reservoir
refers to the saltiness of saltwater
Salinity
Principal source of the elements dissolve in the seawater are _________ and __________
weathering, volcanic eruption
consists of relatively warm, low-density water, extends from the ocean surface to a depth of 100m. This layer is only about 2% of the water in the ocean but it is the home of the most marine plants and animals
Surface Layer/Epipelagic Zone
in this layer the temperature of water decreases rapidly with depth, at high altitudes, this layer reaches the surface and extends up to 1500 m
Thermocline/ Mesopelagic Zone
in this layer the temperature is uniformly low, 80% of the water in the ocean is in this layer
Deep Zone/Bathypelagic Zone
Mostly freswater on earth are stored in ______
glaciers
permanent body of ice, which consists largely of recrystallized snow
Glaciers
a mass of glacial land ice extending more than 50,000 km2
Ice Sheets
refers to a soil or sediments that is frozen for more than two consecutive years
Permafrost
Surface Water Reservoir
Includes the following:
a. Lakes and wetlands where water from rainfall
b. Melting snow and ice
c. Groundwater flows
they represent 0.3% of earth’s total water resources. These resources is harnessed for irrigation, recreation, transport, fishing, drinking and hydropower
Surface Water Reservoir
a moving body of surface water that flows downslope towards the sea level because of gravity. It has crearly defined passageway or channels; water is narrow and ground is inclined. Are interconnected and form a tree-shaped network of small streams, maiing up the branches and joined to a large mainstream
Stream
smaller streams are also called
tributaries
The land area in which where the water flow into a particular stream is called a
drainage basin or watershed
the line that separates individual drainage basin is called the
drainage divide
The narrow-elongated landform separating individual streams within a basin is called
interfluve
During heavy rainwater moves downhill in a process called
overland flow
After a short distance, the water enters the channels and become,
streamflow
is a stream with a considerable volume and well-defined channel
River
are large inland bodies of fresh or saline water. Its upper surface is exposed to the atmosphere and is essentially flat
Lakes
provide fresh water for irrigation industrial, municipal, residentia and recreational purposes. Can also be used as transportation routes
Lakes
are small shallow lakes
Ponds
barriers constructed along streams to contain the flow of water
Dams
land areas where water covers the surface for significant period
Wetlands
Characteristics of Wetlands
- They vary in size from relatively large to small in steep areas
- Filled with diverse species both in land and water
Fragile and sensitive ecosystem to the amount and quality of water - Constitute about 8.5% of the total land surface and atmospheric water
The largest wetland in Philippines is __________ found in the province of Maguindanao, North Cotabato and sultan Kudarat
Ligawasan Marsh
is a shallow wetland around the lakes, streams, and oceans where grasses and reeds are dominant vegetation
Marsh
a wetland with lush trees and vegetation found in low-lying areas beside slow moving rivers
Swamp
a partly enclosed coastal body of water where freshwater from stream meets the saltwater from the sea. Home of many organisms that can tolerate the sharp changes in salinity due to the constant change of salt content
Estuary
a natural event wherein an area that is usually dry is submerged under water, also occur even during dry periods when natural or human made reservoirs collapse
Flood
Occurs when a stream’s discharge is greater than the capacity of the channel
Fluvial or riverine flood
characterized by intense, high velocity torrent of water that occurs in an existing river channel with little to no notice
Flashfloods
Occurs when water overwhelms in low lying areas along the coast, usually due to severe weather conditions
Coastal Flooding
occurs when heavy rainfall creates a flood event independent of an overflowing stream, common in urban areas when drainage systems are clogged
Surface water flood
_________ plays an important role in reducing flood
Vegetation
an essential component of the earth that enables life to exist on the planet and continues to support it.
Soil
is the foundation of terrestrial life on the planet. Derived from Greek word pedon
which means soil and sfaira which means sphere
Pedosphere
The Components of Soil
Composed of 45% minerals (gravel, silt, sand, and clay) 25% air, 25 % water, and 5% organic matter (humus, roots, and dead and decaying organisms)
Soil Formation
- soil form when rock weathers
- soil formation maybe slow or rapid process, depending on the factors at play
Five Factors that Affect Soil Formation
- Parent Material
- Climate
- Topography
- Biological Factors
- Time
is defined as the relative proportion of the particle sizes in the soil sand, salt and clay
Soil Texture
one of the tools that soil scientists use to visualize and understand the meaning of soil texture names
Soil Texture Triangle
person who studies soil
Pedologist
refers to the direct and indirect contributions of ecosystems to human survival and quality of life
Ecosystem Services
include recycling of vital nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus
Support Services
provide the basic needs for survival like water, air, shelter, food, and energy
Provisioning services
benefits obtain from regulating the climate, hazards, and diseases through the process such as carbon sequestration
Regulating Services
include non-material enrichment, cultural heritage, recreation, tourism, and the aesthetic experience that provides for human
Cultural services
includes materials that people in a community no longer want because they are broken, spoiled, or no longer useful
Municipal waste
a common form of waste derived from farming and poultry
Agricultural Waste
From industrial sources other than mining. It includes a variety of materials such as demolition waste, scraps, from manufacturing processes and ash from combustion
Industrial Solid Waste
Mining Waste is generated in three ways:
A. In most mining operations, large amounts of rock and soil are removed to extract the valuable ores and waste materials are left outside the mining site.
B. Milling operations, the grinding and sorting of materials produce solid waste called tailings, which are dumped and stored in ponds near the milling site.
C. Water that is pumped from mines flows from piles of waste rock or tailings that contain hazardous materials
cheapest and most convenient method
Landfill
involves burning in a controlled manner using an incinerator
Incineration
one of the simplest methods to dispose waste at home
Mulch and compost
is the method of allowing the natural process of decomposition to transform organic materials into humuslike materials called compost.
Composting
refers to the method of designing, manufacturing, purchasing, using, and reusing materials so that the amount of waste or its toxicity is reduced
Source Reduction
method of collecting throw away materials and turning them into useful products.
Recycling
5 S
- SORT (Seiri)
- SET IN ORDER (Seiton)
- SHINE (Seiso)
- STANDARDIZE (Seiketsu)
- SUSTAIN (Shitsuke)
is formed as a result of the interaction between the wind and soil in the form of sand grains.
Sand dunes
a mound of sand formed by the wind, usually along the beach or in a desert. Form when wind blows sand into a sheltered area behind an obstacle.
Dune
the combined action of all processes that cause rock to disintegrate physically and decompose chemically because of exposure near Earth’s surface through the elements of weather. Is the actual breaking down of rock by the action of natural forces such as water, wind, plants and animals
Weathering
elements of weather such as:
a. Temperature
b. Frost
c. Rainfall
d. Fog
e. ice
Happens whenever rocks are broken up into smaller fragments without any chemical change in their composition
Physical Weathering
How do these forces wear down rock?
due to the constant freezing and thawing of water in and around the rocks.
a successive heating and cooling which causes the expansion and contraction of rocks
Block disintegration
Results because of the intense heating of the rock’s outer layers
Exfoliation
One of the most important physical weathering process in cold climates.
Frost Action
is the process of breaking big rocks into little ones.
Mechanical Weathering
Chemical change in rocks through formation of new compounds or formation of new substances
Chemical Weathering
process in which atmospheric
oxygen reacts with the rock to produce oxides.
Oxidation
process by which various types of carbonates are formed
Carbonation
process by which water is absorbed by minerals of rock
Hydration
process in which some of the minerals get dissolved in water
Dissolution
Plants contribute to both mechanical and chemical weathering
Biological Weathering
like earthworms, termites, rats, rabbits, and ants breakdown the rocks
Burrowing Animals
Play an important role in weathering of rocks. Man breaks a large amount of rocks in the coarse of his activities
Human Beings
the separation and removal of weathered and un-weathered rocks and soil from its substrate due to gravity or transporting agents like wind, ice, or water
Erosion
process by which sediments are moved along from the source to where they are deposited
Transport
Commonly occurs in flat bare areas or dry, sandy, and loose soils. Damage the land and natural vegetation by removing soil from one place and depositing it in another area such as farmland or built-up areas.
Wind Erosion
a permanent body of ice, which consists largely of recrystallized snow and shows evidence of movement due to gravity
Glacier
is the most common erosion agent
Water
Rolling or dragging of large grains aided by the push of smaller grains
Traction
Bouncing of sand grains as they are picked-up, carried along, and dropped repeatedly
Saltation
Movement of fine particles like silt and clay
Suspension
Movement of soluble materials (salt)
Solution
Factors that contribute to the occurrence of mass wasting
- Relief
- Slope Stability
- Fragmentation and Weathering
Refers to the downslope movement of the rock and soil under the influence of gravity. Natural process and is considered a natural hazard
Mass Wasting
a molten rock found beneath the surface of the earth
Magma
the degree of resistance to flow is called _______
Viscosity
Formation of Magma
formed under certain circumstances in special locations deep in the crust or in upper mantle
melting can occur when temperature stays the same but the pressure decreases
Decompression and melting
when volatiles or gaseous substances are added into the hot solid rocks. Water vapor or carbon dioxide react with the rocks and weaken their bonds to change from solid to liquid. Usually occurs in subduction zone
Flux melting
melting of surrounding rocks caused by a very hot magma bringing in additional heat
Heat transfer melting
different rock minerals melt over a range of temperature
Eutectic Temperature
when rock begin to melt but only certain minerals are melted
Partial melting
when magma is separated from rock
that has not undergone complete melting
Fractionation
magma that formed first tend to be _________
richer in silica
are visible manifestation of the process of rock formation, a vent that serves as the conduit of lava or molten rock that reaches Earth’s surface
Volcano
the funnel-shaped depression where materials are ejected is called ________
crater
the event when the lava is spews out of the volcano
Eruption
is dominated by the flow of lava and
formation of fountain and lakes
Effusive eruption
eject ash and larger fragments of broken up pyroclastic materials forming ash clouds that eventually collapse and cover the slope of the volcano
Explosive Eruption
lava with low silica content are less viscous and flow rapidly generating _________
effusive eruption
________ is associated with
lava having high silica content and is more viscous
explosive eruption
forms a very broad dome with gentle slope that covers a very wide area, mostly made of alternating layers of basaltic lava and cinder accumulation
Shield Volcano
are granular materials formed by lava fountain
cinders
composed of alternating layers of lava and pyroclastic materials, generally composed of intermediate to felsic rocks and they tend to build large and high volcanic edifice
Stratovolcanoes or composite volcanoes
Example of stratovolcanoes or composite volcanoes
Mount Mayon and mount Pinatubo
consists of small cone formed by spattering of lava
Cinder Cone
Example of Cinder Cone
Binitiang Malaki
effusive reaction
Lava flow deposit
lava with smooth surface
Pahoehoe
lava with a very rough surface
AA
eruptions that produce pure volcanic glass
Obsidian
made of volcanic glass but with frothy texture characterized by lots of open spaces caused by gas bubbles
Pumice
fragmental materials of various grain size produce by volcano
Pyroclastic debris
are pea- to marble-size fragment of lava
Lapilli
are very fine particles composed of glass shards, crystals, and fragments of existing rocks
Volcanic ash
lithified volcanic ash
Tuff
the blobs of lava that are thrown into the air and develops a streamlined and smooth shape fragments
Bombs
larger non-streamlined chunks of lava or preexisting rock
Blocks
the pyroclastic mixed with water
Lahar
