Earth Science First Test Flashcards
Geology
Study of the solid Earth
Meteorology
Study of Earth’s atmosphere (gases)
Oceanography
Study of Earth’s oceans
Astronomy
Study of Earth’s surroundings in space
Observation
Information gathered through the use of the five senses
Instrument
Tool which extends the senses by comparing to a known standard
Inference
A conclusion drawn based on observations
Prediction
An inference about future events
Classification
Scientists organize observations in a meaningful way by grouping objects with similar characteristics
Matter
Anything that has mass and takes up space
Mass
The amount of matter in a substance (number of particles in a substance)
Volume
Amount of space an object takes up
Direct
As independent variable increases, dependent variable increases
Indirect
As independent variable increases, dependent variable decreases
Cyclic
As independent variable increases, dependent variable changes in a predictable pattern
Non-cyclic
No pattern to occurrences and are difficult to predict (examples: volcanic eruptions, earthquakes)
Static
As independent variable increases, dependent variable remains the same (horizontal line)
Scientific Notation
Uses powers of 10 to express numbers that would be more difficult to write or read using standard decimal numbers
Rate of Change
How fast or slow a change occurs
How to solve for Rate of Change
Rate of change =
change in value/time =
number and unit/number and unit =
number and unit/time unit
Density
A measure of the amount of matter (mass) within a given space (volume)
(how tightly packed particles are within a given space)
When pressure is added, density _______
Increases, because it becomes more compressed so the volume decreases and it’s more packed in a small space
What factors do not affect density?
Size and shape
Water’s temperature as a solid
Less than 0 degrees Celsius
Water’s temperature as a liquid
Between 0 and 100 degrees Celsius
Water’s temperature as a gas
Greater than 100 degrees Celsius
