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Earth Science final 1 Flashcards

1
Q

identify the difference between a hypothesis and a scientific theory.

A

A hypothesis is a testable explanation for a problem or phenomenon and a scientific theory is a well-tested, broad explanation of a natural phenomenon.

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2
Q

which of the colors on the visible spectrum has the longest wavelength?

A

red

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3
Q

what are the two most abundant gases in our atmosphere?

A

Nitrogen and oxygen

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4
Q

describe earths major spheres?

A

biosphere
atmosphere
hydrosphere
geosphere

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5
Q

what is the domaint force in the universe?

A

gravitational force

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6
Q

increased rainfall causing flooding of a river(which 2 apply)
a)atmosphere
b)geosphere
c)biosphere
d)hydrosphere

A

atmosphere and geosphere

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7
Q

What is the name of the process that explains the formation of the planest by colliding bodies?

A

Accretion

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8
Q

Briefly describe the origin of the moon

A

collision of earth and a mars sized object

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9
Q

What are the terrestrial planets?

A

Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars

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10
Q

Characteristics of the Terrestrial planets?

A

small, dense, and rocky, low gravity, thin atmosphere

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11
Q

What are the Jovian Planets?

A

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

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12
Q

Characteristics of the Jovian Planets?

A

High mass, low density, gaseous, high gravity, thick atmosphere

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13
Q

Pluto and 4 other planets are known as what group of planets?

A

Dwarf Planets

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14
Q

explain how stellar distance is measured?

A

light years

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15
Q

what factors control the brightness of a star?

A

size, temperature,distance

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16
Q

How does the color of the star relate to the temperature?

A

Hot stars are blue, average temp. stars are yellow, and cool stars are red

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17
Q

What are two properties of a star that are plotted on an H-R diagram?

A

Temperature and magnitude

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18
Q

What term is used to describe the collection of energy from stars that include gamma rays, x-rays, UV, visible light, IR, microwave, and radio waves?

A

Electromagnetic radiation

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19
Q

Which of the colors on the visible spectrum has the longest wavelength?

A

Red

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20
Q

Which of the colors on the visible spectrum has the shortest wavelength?

A

Purple

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21
Q

How does the Doppler shift help astronomers identify the mostions of objects in space?

A

The red shift shows if it’s moving away and the blue shift shows its moving toward.

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22
Q

What are the opposing forces that sustain the ¨life¨ of a star?

A

gravity and nuclear fusion

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23
Q

List the stages a typical star goes through in its life cycle.

A

nebula, ProStar, main sequence star, red giant, white dwarf

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24
Q

What element does the sun use for its primary source of fuel?

A

nuclear fusion

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25
which phase of a star is the stable state?
main sequence star
26
What moves a star from the main sequence stage to the next stage in its cycle? What is the stage called?
fusion moves from the core outward to the star surface and becomes a red giant
27
What determines the final stage of a star? What is the final stage of the sun?
White dwarf and its mass determines the final stage
28
What is the dominant force in the universe?
gravity
29
Because other galaxies in the universe show a redshift, what does this indicate about the universe?
its expanding/moving away
30
define hubbles law
galaxies are moving away from each other at a speed that is proportional to their distance
31
define the big bang theory
approximately 14 bya the universe was very dense and hot and has since expanded and cooled and continued to do so
32
Describe earths major spheres
Hydrosphere-all water on earth Biosphere-all life on earth Geosphere- the solid earth, crust, mantle, core Atmosphere- thin, gaseous envelope surrounding Earth
33
Differentiate between weather and climate.
Weather is the state of the atmosphere at any given time and place(constantly changing) and climate is based on the observations of weather that has been collected over many years(describes place/region)
34
What are the two most abundant gases in our atmosphere?
Nitrogen and oxygen
35
Which gases in our atmosphere influence weather and climate the most?
CO2
36
Which of the layers of the atmosphere is where the Earth´s weather occurs and which layer is where the ozone layer exists?
Troposphere-weather Stratosphere-ozone layer
37
What does the ozone layer do to protect life forms on earth?
absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the sun creating a protective layer
38
identify the processes that move water from one state of matter to another.
Sublimation- solid to gas Deposition-gas to solid Melting-solid to liquid Freezing-liquid to solid Evaporation- liquid to gas Condensation- gas to liquid
39
Explain how air temperature and water vapor capacity are related.
when the temperature and seasons change so will the humidity and water vapor
40
What region of the earth tends to have the highest amount of water vapor? Why?
The equator because its warmer and when the air is warm it has a higher capacity to hold water vapor
41
Define conduction
heat is transferred through contact
42
Define Convection
Heat is transferred by movement/circulation as a convection cell
43
Define Radiation
energy travels out in all directions
44
Describe the absorption and albedo levels of a dark field vs. a glacier
A dark field absorbs heat, increases temp and has a high absorption level while a glacier reflects heat, making temps cooler, and has high albedo levels
45
Explain what causes the urban heat island effect
vegetation is replaced by asphalt, concrete roads,buildings, other structures, these surfaces absorb rather than reflect the suns heat causing ambient temps to rise
46
What effect does the melting of arctic ice have as a result of climate change?
Ice reflects the heat rather than absorbing it, since heat is reflected, temps. are cool but if they are melted nothing is giving off cool air temp is higher everywhere
47
Which of the four laws of radiation was observed in both the albedo and absorption lap and the land and water heating lab?
Law 4:Objects that are good absorbers of heat radiation are good emitters of heat as well. The black can showed sand can absorb heat fast and also emitted if faster than the silver can/water
48
Explain what causes the seasons of Earth.
axis tilt and the revolution around the sun
49
differentiate between the summer solstice and winter solstice for the northern hemisphere.
summer solstice-farther form the sun winter solstice-closer to the sun
50
Explain how direct vs. indirect solar radiation reaching the different latitudes on Earth influences temperatures on earth.
less direct-energy is spread out, cooler temps more direct- energy is concentrated in smaller areas, warmer temps
51
Explain how land and water are in control of temperature
Land heats more rapidly, to higher temps, and cools more rapidly Water warms more slowly, stores more heat, and cools more slowly than land.
52
Knowing how land and water heat and cool, explain how this affects the climate in various locations.
climate surrounded by water is more steady vs. over land it has more temp changes because the water holds the heat
53
What factors can change the density of ocean water?
temperature and salinity
54
Identify the processes that increase salinity.
evaporation and freezing
55
Identify the processes that decrease salinity.
precipitation, runoff, iceberg/sea ice, glaciers melting
56
Explain the relationship between ocean density and the ocean conveyor belt.
warm water from the equator flows towards the poles, as surface currents where it becomes dense and sinks due to low temps. and high salinity
57
Explain how ocean currents affect climate.
move temps from where they originate to another location affecting the weather/climate
58
Explain how global winds affect climate.
moving temps from where they originate to another location affecting the weather/climate
59
Describe the ocean conveyor belt and why it is important for weather and climate.
it influences global climate by converting warm water to cold water and releasing the heat to the atmosphere
60
Define the greenhouse effect
much of the energy from the sun is emitted as shortwave radiation is absorbed or reflected by various surfaces, keeps earth warm/livable, absorbed by greenhouse gases(long waves heat)
61
Of earth´s four major spheres, which sphere is part of the carbon cycle and is able to store carbon
all the spheres
62
What two factors can influence the amount of radiation absorbed by greenhouse gases?
type of surfaces and amount of greenhouse gasees
63
Define climate change due to global warming.
the increasing changes in the measures of climate over a long periof of time including precipitation, tempertature, and wind patters
64
List some of the effects of climate change on Colorado.
-decrease in the amount of water -increase in the number of hot spells -alpine forest sensitivity -hotter, drier Co=water issues -forest fire increase -rate of seasonal transitions
65
the process of the water cycle: evaporation, condensation, and precipitation a)atmosphere b)geoshphere c)hydrosphere d)biosphere
hydrosphere and atmosphere
66
stores groundwater and creates ocean basins (pick 2) a)atmosphere b)geosphere c)hydrosphere d)biosphere
hydrosphere and geosphere
67
heat exchange between spheres a)atmosphere b)geosphere c)hydrosphere d)biosphere
atmosphere and geosphere
68
a volcanic eruption ejecting ash and blocking sunlight a)atmosphere b)geosphere c)hydrosphere d)biosphere
atmosphere and geosphere
69
what is the greenhouse effect?
gases absorb infrared energy into the atmosphere
70
what two factors can influence the amount of radiation absorbed by greenhouse gases?
the type of surface and amount of gases
71
what are the ways that cause the climate to vary on short and long-term scales?
short scales -plate tectonics -miblakowtch long scales -el nino -la nina
72
what are some of the effects of climate change on Colorado
the shorter winter season and hotter average climate
73

Earth Science (3 decks)

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