yr 10 - science : earth sciences exam study

• Atmosphere


  The layer of gases that surrounds the Earth, including the air we breathe.
• Hydrosphere


  The world's oceans, lakes, rivers, and underground water sources that make up about 71% of the Earth's surface.
• Lithosphere


  The solid outer layer of the Earth, including the crust and mantle, making up about 5% of the Earth's volume.
• Biosphere


  The zone where life exists, which includes all living organisms and their habitats.
• Light-Year

  A unit of distance measuring 9.46 trillion kilometers or 5.88 trillion miles, the distance light travels in one year.
• Star Formation


  A giant molecular cloud collapses, fragments, and a protostar forms, eventually igniting nuclear fusion and becoming a main sequence star.
• Color-Temperature Link


  Hot stars appear blue, medium stars yellow, and cool stars red, based on surface temperature.
• Color Classification


  Astronomical classification system for stars based on surface temperature, light spectrum, and color.
• Star Characteristics


  A star is a massive, glowing ball of gas, powered by nuclear reactions, with a surface temperature and size varying among stars.
• Definition of a Planet

  A celestial body must orbit the Sun, have a rounded shape, and not clear its neighborhood to be considered a planet.
• Solar System Definition

  A collection of celestial bodies that orbit a central star, sharing a common origin and evolution.
• Galaxy Definition


  A massive, gravitationally bound system of stars, stellar remnants, and interstellar gas and dust.
• Black Hole Definition


  A region in space where the gravitational pull is so strong that nothing, including light, can escape.
• Influences on Star Brightness

  Distance, intrinsic brightness, obstruction, atmospheric conditions, astronomical seasons, moon phase, observing site, and instrumentation can all impact how brightly we see a star in the night sky.
• Evolution of the Universe

  A timeline of the universe's significant transformations, from the Big Bang to the emergence of life on Earth.
• Age of the Universe

  Based on cosmic microwave background radiation, Big Bang nucleosynthesis, expansion of the universe, abundance of helium-4, and Baryon Acoustic Oscillations, the universe is approximately 13.8 billion years old.
• Hubble Space Telescope


  A space-based telescope that has revolutionized our understanding of the universe, from galaxy evolution to star formation and planetary systems.
• James Webb Space Telescope


  A next-generation space telescope that will explore the formation of the first galaxies, star formation, and the search for life in the universe.
• Telescope Discoveries


  A summary of the groundbreaking discoveries made by the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes, revolutionizing our understanding of the universe and its many mysteries.
• Voyager Space Probes


  A journey through our solar system and beyond, providing groundbreaking insights and discoveries about our cosmic neighborhood and the universe as a whole.
• Big Bang Theory


  The leading explanation for the origin and evolution of our universe, suggesting an infinitely hot and dense point expanding rapidly around 13.8 billion years ago.
• Evaporation


  Water phase change from liquid to gas, traveling from the Hydrosphere to the Atmosphere
• Photosynthesis


  Process by which aquatic plants convert CO2 and light energy into glucose and O2, releasing CO2 back to the Hydrosphere
• Carbon Cycle


  A complex process where carbon is exchanged between the atmosphere, oceans, land, and living organisms
• Deforestation


  Clearing forests for human activities, reducing carbon sequestration and storage
• Carbon Sink


  :: An agent or system that absorbs more CO2 from the atmosphere than it emits, reducing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere
• Aerobic Respiration


  Bacteria break down organic matter releasing CO2 into the atmosphere through aerobic respiration.
• Greenhouse Effect


  A natural process where Greenhouse Gases trap heat, keeping the Earth warm
• Enhanced Greenhouse Effect


  A amplified form of the natural Greenhouse Effect, caused by human activities and leading to increased global temperatures
• Greenhouse Effect


  A natural process, occurring for millions of years, without human influence
• Weather


  Temporary and local atmospheric conditions, changing over a short period
• Climate


  Long-term average atmospheric conditions, measured over at least 30 years
• Climate Change


  A long-term warming of the planet, primarily caused by human activities and increasing Greenhouse Gas levels
• Biodiversity


  Variety of different Species, Ecosystems, and Ecosystem Services in an ecosystem or region
• Sea Ice Melting


  Thawing of Sea Ice, contributing to sea level rise, disrupting marine ecosystems, and accelerating climate change
• Human Activities


  Primary causes of Climate Change: Fossil Fuel Consumption, Deforestation, and other contributing factors
• Thawing Permafrost


  Release of stored carbon and methane, disrupting ecosystems, and accelerating climate change
• Coastal Erosion


  Rising sea levels accelerate coastal erosion, threatening infrastructure, property, and human settlements
• Rising Sea Levels


  Elevation of global sea levels due to climate change, affecting coastal ecosystems and human communities
• Sea Level Rise Acceleration

  Rising sea levels can create feedback loops, amplifying climate change and accelerating global warming