Unit 1- The Universe and its Stars
Galaxy- a system of millions or billions of stars, together with gas and dust, held together by gravitational attraction.
Star- a fixed luminous point in the night sky which is a large, remote incandescent body like the sun.
Planet- a celestial body moving in an elliptical orbit around a star.
Moon- a natural satellite of any planet.
Sun- the star around which the earth orbits.
Solar System- the collection of eight planets and their moons in orbit around the sun, together with smaller bodies in the form of asteroids, meteoroids, and comets.
Rotation- the action of rotating around an axis or center.
Black Hole- a region of space having a gravitational field so intense that no matter or radiation can escape.
Gravity- the force that attracts a body toward the center of the earth, or toward any other physical body having mass.
Asteroids- a small rocky body orbiting the sun. Large numbers of these, ranging in size from nearly 600 miles across to dust particles.
Galaxy- a system of millions or billions of stars, together with gas and dust, held together by gravitational attraction.
Star- a fixed luminous point in the night sky which is a large, remote incandescent body like the sun.
Planet- a celestial body moving in an elliptical orbit around a star.
Moon- a natural satellite of any planet.
Sun- the star around which the earth orbits.
Solar System- the collection of eight planets and their moons in orbit around the sun, together with smaller bodies in the form of asteroids, meteoroids, and comets.
Rotation- the action of rotating around an axis or center.
Black Hole- a region of space having a gravitational field so intense that no matter or radiation can escape.
Gravity- the force that attracts a body toward the center of the earth, or toward any other physical body having mass.
Asteroids- a small rocky body orbiting the sun. Large numbers of these, ranging in size from nearly 600 miles across to dust particles.
Unit 2- History of the Earth
Adaptive Radiation- the development of many different forms from an originally homogenous group of organisms as they fill different ecological niches
Amber- a hard yellowish to brownish translucent fossil resin
Evolution- sequence of events involved in the development of a species
Fossil- the remains of a plant or animal from a past geological age
Geologic Time- the time of the physical formation and development of the earth
Paleontologist- a specialist in fossil organisms and related remains
Period- a unit of geological time when a system of rocks formed
Petrification- the process of turning some plant material into stone
Radiocarbon Dating- a chemical analysis used to determine the age of organic materials based on their content of the radioisotope carbon 14 believed to be reliable up to 40,000 years
Sedimentary- formed by or containing the accumulation of deposited matter
Superposition- the principle that in a series of stratified sedimentary rocks the lowest stratum is the oldest
Trilobite- An extinct arthropod with a three part exoskeleton
Adaptive Radiation- the development of many different forms from an originally homogenous group of organisms as they fill different ecological niches
Amber- a hard yellowish to brownish translucent fossil resin
Evolution- sequence of events involved in the development of a species
Fossil- the remains of a plant or animal from a past geological age
Geologic Time- the time of the physical formation and development of the earth
Paleontologist- a specialist in fossil organisms and related remains
Period- a unit of geological time when a system of rocks formed
Petrification- the process of turning some plant material into stone
Radiocarbon Dating- a chemical analysis used to determine the age of organic materials based on their content of the radioisotope carbon 14 believed to be reliable up to 40,000 years
Sedimentary- formed by or containing the accumulation of deposited matter
Superposition- the principle that in a series of stratified sedimentary rocks the lowest stratum is the oldest
Trilobite- An extinct arthropod with a three part exoskeleton
Unit 3- Natural Resources
Atmosphere- the envelope of gases surrounding the earth or another planet
Biosphere- the regions of the surface, atmosphere, and hydrosphere of the earth (or analogous parts of other planets) occupied by living organisms
Deposition- is the geological process in which sediments, soil and rocks are added to a landform or land mass
Geological Processes- are dynamic processes at work in the earth's landforms and surfaces. The mechanisms involved, weathering, erosion, and plate tectonics, combine processes that are in some respects destructive and in others constructive.
Hydrothermal Activity- simply refers to the movement of heated water, usually beneath the surface of the earth
Minerals- a solid inorganic substance of natural occurrence
Nonrenewable Resources- is a natural substance that is not replenished with the speed at which it is consumed. Fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal are examples of nonrenewable resources
Renewable Resources- naturally replenished fast enough as its being used. Examples include: sunlight, wind, biomass, rain, tides, waves and geothermal heat.
Subduction Zone- region of the earths crust where tectonic plates meet.
Weathering- wear away or change the appearance or texture of something by being exposed to the air
Atmosphere- the envelope of gases surrounding the earth or another planet
Biosphere- the regions of the surface, atmosphere, and hydrosphere of the earth (or analogous parts of other planets) occupied by living organisms
Deposition- is the geological process in which sediments, soil and rocks are added to a landform or land mass
Geological Processes- are dynamic processes at work in the earth's landforms and surfaces. The mechanisms involved, weathering, erosion, and plate tectonics, combine processes that are in some respects destructive and in others constructive.
Hydrothermal Activity- simply refers to the movement of heated water, usually beneath the surface of the earth
Minerals- a solid inorganic substance of natural occurrence
Nonrenewable Resources- is a natural substance that is not replenished with the speed at which it is consumed. Fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal are examples of nonrenewable resources
Renewable Resources- naturally replenished fast enough as its being used. Examples include: sunlight, wind, biomass, rain, tides, waves and geothermal heat.
Subduction Zone- region of the earths crust where tectonic plates meet.
Weathering- wear away or change the appearance or texture of something by being exposed to the air
Unit 4- Natural Hazards
Avalanche- a mass of snow, ice, and rocks falling rapidly down a mountainside.
Blizzard- a severe snowstorm with high winds and low visibility.
Catastrophe- an event causing great and often sudden damage or suffering; a disaster.
Earthquake- a sudden and violent shaking of the ground, sometimes causing great destruction, as a result of movements within the earth's crust or volcanic action.
Flood- an overflowing of a large amount of water beyond its normal confines, especially over what is normally dry land.
Hurricane- a storm with a violent wind, in particular a tropical cyclone in the Caribbean.
Phenomenon- a fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen, especially one whose cause or explanation is in question.
Tornado- a mobile, destructive vortex of violently rotating winds having the appearance of a funnel-shaped cloud and advancing beneath a large storm system.
Tsunami- a long high sea wave caused by an earthquake, submarine landslide, or other disturbance.
Volcano- a mountain or hill, typically conical, having a crater or vent through which lava, rock fragments, hot vapor, and gas are being or have been erupted from the earth's crust.
Unit 5- Populations
Biosphere- the regions f the surface, atmosphere, and hydrosphere of the earth occupied by living organisms.
Carrying Capacity- the number of people other living organisms or crops that a region can support without environmental degradation
Environment- the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates
Extinction- having no living members
Food Source- any substance containing nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that can be ingested by a living organism and metabolized into energy and body tissue
Habitats- the natural home or environment of an animal, plant or other organism
Limiting factor- the environmental factor that is a predominant importance in restricting the size of a population
Population- all the inhabitants of a particular town area or country
Symbiotic relationship- an interaction between 2 different species where both or 1 benefits
Trophic Level- each of several hierarchical levels in an ecosystem comprising organisms that share the same function in the food chain and the same nutritional relationship to the primary sources of energy.
Avalanche- a mass of snow, ice, and rocks falling rapidly down a mountainside.
Blizzard- a severe snowstorm with high winds and low visibility.
Catastrophe- an event causing great and often sudden damage or suffering; a disaster.
Earthquake- a sudden and violent shaking of the ground, sometimes causing great destruction, as a result of movements within the earth's crust or volcanic action.
Flood- an overflowing of a large amount of water beyond its normal confines, especially over what is normally dry land.
Hurricane- a storm with a violent wind, in particular a tropical cyclone in the Caribbean.
Phenomenon- a fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen, especially one whose cause or explanation is in question.
Tornado- a mobile, destructive vortex of violently rotating winds having the appearance of a funnel-shaped cloud and advancing beneath a large storm system.
Tsunami- a long high sea wave caused by an earthquake, submarine landslide, or other disturbance.
Volcano- a mountain or hill, typically conical, having a crater or vent through which lava, rock fragments, hot vapor, and gas are being or have been erupted from the earth's crust.
Unit 5- Populations
Biosphere- the regions f the surface, atmosphere, and hydrosphere of the earth occupied by living organisms.
Carrying Capacity- the number of people other living organisms or crops that a region can support without environmental degradation
Environment- the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates
Extinction- having no living members
Food Source- any substance containing nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that can be ingested by a living organism and metabolized into energy and body tissue
Habitats- the natural home or environment of an animal, plant or other organism
Limiting factor- the environmental factor that is a predominant importance in restricting the size of a population
Population- all the inhabitants of a particular town area or country
Symbiotic relationship- an interaction between 2 different species where both or 1 benefits
Trophic Level- each of several hierarchical levels in an ecosystem comprising organisms that share the same function in the food chain and the same nutritional relationship to the primary sources of energy.