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Details Title: Understanding Earth Description: chapters 1-5 Total Flash Cards: 20 Created: 09/24/2005 19:17:36	To study from this set of flash cards, or to create your own your own study flash cards, register HERE. If you are already a registered user, CLICK HERE.
Cards Term Geology Definition the science that studies Earth Term Scientific Method Definition From hypothesis (scientific guess) to theory (guess backed up by scientific support) to law Term Age of Earth Definition supposed to be 4.5 years old Term Scientific Model Definition a representation of some aspect of nature based on a set of hypotheses Term Geologic Record Definition information preserved in rocks formed @ various times throughout history Term Principle of Uniformitarianism Definition The present is the key to the past Term bolide Definition a large meteoroid that impacts Earth Term Nebular Hypothesis Definition The hypothesis that the origin of Earth could be traced back to a rotating cloud of gas and fine dust Term Differentiation Definition the transformation of random chunks of primordial matter into a body whose interior is divided into concentric layers that differ from one another both physically and chemically Term Earth's Core Definition Iron and other heavy elements like nickel sank to form this Term Earth's Crust Definition Molten materials which were less dense than the parent substances from which they separated formed this Term Earth's Mantle Definition Between core and crust is this, which forms the bulk of the solid Earth Term Earth System Definition All the parts of our planet and all their interactions Term Lithosphere (lithos meaning stone) Definition The Earth's strong outer shell formed by the cooling of the surface Term Asthenosphere (asthenes meaning weak) Definition The hot, weak layer of Earth Term Plate tectonics Definition The lithosphere is not a continuous shell; it is broken into about a dozen large "plates" that move over Earth's surface at rates of a few cm per year. Each plate acts as a distinct rigid unit that rides on the asthenosphere, which also is in motion. The lithosphere that forms a plate may be just a few kilometers thick in volcanically active areas and perhaps 200 km thick or more beneath the older, colder parts of the continents. Term Plate Tectonic System Definition The movement of the plates is the surface manifestation of convection in the mantle Term Biosphere Definition All living organisms and the organic matter they produce Term Fossils Definition Traces of organisms of past geologic ages that have been preserved in the crust Term Photosynthesis Definition The process by which plants and other green organisms use chlorophyll and the energy from sunlight to produce carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water