Shared Flashcard Set

Details

earth sciences midterm
earth systems
51
Geology
Undergraduate 1
10/12/2011

Additional Geology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
hypothesis
Definition
a plausible yet unproven explanation for the way things occur.
Term
scientific theory
Definition
a generalization about nature
Term
scientific law
Definition
a theory whose applicability has been decisevely demonstrated, thereby making it a fundamental theory of science. No deviation.
Term
scientific method
Definition
hypothesis -> testing -> theory -> testing -> law/principle -> continual re-testing
Term
how does a hypothesis become a theory?
Definition
by surviving a battery of tests
Term
science
Definition
a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe. 
Term
earth system science
Definition
science that studies the whole planet as a system of innumerable interacting parts and focuses on the changes within and among these parts.
Term
system
Definition
any portion of the universe that can be isolated from the rest of the universe for the purpose of observing + measuring changes.
Term
model
Definition
a representation of something. a simplicifcation of a complex original.
Term
box model
Definition

a simple, convenient graphical representation of a system.

can be used to show:

- the processes by which matter/energy eneter and leave the system, and the rates at which they do so

- the processes by which matter/energy move among the various parts of the system internally, and the rates at which this happens

- the amount of matter/energy in the system at a given time and its distribution within the system.

Term
flux
Definition
the amount of matter/energy that is transferred along a process such as exaporation/precipitation and the rate at which it is transferred.
Term
reservoir
Definition
the storage places in which water, energy, etc, is stored for a period of time within a system.
Term
steady-state
Definition
when the flux of matter into a reservoir mathes the flux out of that reservoir.
Term
sink
Definition
when the flux of matter into a reservoir is greater than the flux out of that same reservoir.
Term
source
Definition
when more matter is exiting a reservoir than is entering that same reservoir.
Term
residence time
Definition
the average length of time matter spends in any reservoir.
Term
sequestration
Definition
when material isolated from any contact with the rest of the world.
Term
feedback
Definition
occurs when the output of the system also serves as an input and leads to changes in the state of the system.
Term
negative feedback
Definition
when the system's response is in the opposite direction from the initial input. often self-regulating.
Term
positive feedback
Definition
when an increase in output leads to a further increase in the output. a 'vicious cycle.'
Term
energy
Definition
the capacity to do work, to move matter, to make things happen. exists in several forms, such as the energy of a moving body and heat energy.
Term
matter
Definition
substance that has mass and occupies space.
Term
work
Definition
the addition or subtraction to the internal energy of a system
Term
types of systems
Definition

isolated system - the boundary of the system prevents it from exchanging either matter or energy with its surroundings. hypothetical.

closed system - in which the boundary permits the exchange of energy, but not matter, with the surroundings. tightly sealed solar oven.

open system - a system that can exchange both energy and matter across its boundary. an island.

Term
examples of feedback loops
Definition
cycles - the state of dynamic equilibrium arising from feedbacks
Term
what type of system is the earth system, and why?
Definition
the earth is a closed system, because energy (sunlight) enters the system and energy (longer-wavelenth infrared radiation) exits the system.
Term
what are the five spheres/subsystems in the earth system?
Definition

- geosphere

- hydrosphere

- atmosphere

- biosphere

- anthroposphere

Term
what is the geosphere?
Definition
comprised primarily of rock. 
Term
what is the hydrosphere?
Definition
the totality of earth's water, including oceans, lakes, streams, underground water, and all the snow and ice. connected to the atmosphere, as both contain water, but still separate.
Term
what is the atmosphere?
Definition
the mixture of gases - nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, and water vapor - that surrounds the earth. the boundary of the earth system.
Term
what is the biosphere?
Definition
the biosphere includes all of earth's organisms, as well as any organic matter not yet decomposed.
Term
what is the anthroposphere?
Definition
the 'human sphere.' it comprises people and their intersts, as well as human impacts on the natural earth system.
Term
potential energy
Definition
energy stored in a system. chemical energy, nuclear energy, stored mechanical energy, gravitational energy.
Term
kinetic energy
Definition
energy that is expressed in the movement of electrons, atoms, molecules, materials, and objects. includes radiant energy, electrical energy, thermal energy, sound, and motion.
Term
three laws of thermodynamics
Definition

1. conservation and transformation.

in a system of constant mass, the energy involved in any physical or chemical change is neither created nor destroyed, but merely changed from one form to another.

2. efficiency and entropy.

energy always changes from a more useful, more concentrated form to a less useful, less concentrated form.

3. absolute zero.

postulates the existence of absolute zero K temperature.

Term
entropy
Definition
the measure of disorder.low entropy, low disorder.
Term
temperature
Definition
the measure of heat, the vibrational motion of particles.
Term
power
Definition
work per unit of time
Term
heat
Definition
the energy a body has due to the motions of its atoms.
Term
density
Definition
mass/volume
Term
phases
Definition
masses of material that can be separated from one another by a definable boundary.
Term
watt
Definition
a unit of power. the power required to do work at the rate of one joule per second.
Term
joule
Definition
a basic unit of thermal energy. can be defined in terms of heat (calories) or in the physical terms of work.
Term
states of matter
Definition
solid, liquid and gas
Term
atom
Definition
the smallest individual particle that retains the distinctive properties of a given chemical element.
Term
protons, neutrons, electrons
Definition

together build atoms. protons have positive electrical charges, neutrons have electrically neutral charges, and electrons have negative electrical charges.

protons and neutrons form the nucleus of an atom. electrons revolve around the nucleus.

Term
isotopes
Definition
atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers.
Term
ions
Definition

an atom that has excess positive or negative charges caused by electron transfer.

positive excess charge - cation

negative excess charge - anion

Term
elements
Definition
made up of atoms. 
Term
molecule
Definition
the smallest unit that retains all the properties of a compound
Term
abundant elements in the 4 major spheres in the earth system
Definition
O, Si, Al, Fe, Ca (calcium), Mg, Na (sodium), K (potassium), Ti (titanium), H, Mn (manganese), P (phosphorus)
Supporting users have an ad free experience!