Earth Science Regents Essential Vocab

The North Star- equal to one's latitude in the Northern Hemisphere

The true, inside color of a mineral- does not change

A large wave caused by a underwater earthquake

This instrument measures wind speed

Parallel scratches left in rocks as a result of glacial erosion

Where an earthquake originated

A buried erosional surface

When the moon goes through the shadow of the earth this happens.

The gradual change of lifeforms from simpler lifeforms.

This refers to ocean organisms and processes

Movement of soil and sediment by forces of nature

Comparing the age of one rock or event to another rock or event without having an actual age

Weaker than normal tides produced when the moon is at a quarter phase.

Incoming Solar Radiation

In a state of balance

Air going over a mountain creating a moist windward and parched leeward side

The theory that the Earth is the center of the universe.

This side of a mountain range is usually drier and warmer due to a down-slope wind

Evidence of a life-form that was widespread geographically but lived for a brief period of time

Texture of an igneous rock refers to

This is the angular distance e or W of the Prime Meridian (related to time zones)

The force of attraction between 2 objects (its affected by mass and distance).

The way a mineral shines...there are 2 main types metallica and non-metallic

This instrument can be used to determine relative humidity and dew point

This type of air mass brings dry air.

How much water vapor in the air expressed as a percentage

Living or once living

Which statement describes how all wind blows

An area of high pressure, with winds blowing outward and clockwise

Weathering that weakens rocks by changing the chemical composition

The ability of water to infiltrate a soil

Long-wave outgoing infrared energy being trapped by CO2 and causing the Earth to heat up

The process that stars use to make energy

An oval shaped hill of mixed sediment deposited by a glacier

An air mass that brings warm air

Which of the following is NOT a requirement of a mineral

The temperature at which the air is saturated with water vapor.

This type of energy is also known as heat energy

The process that forms clouds

A ridge of glacial soil that marks the edge of a glacier and has unsorted sediments.

Air cooling by expansion or heating up by compression.

A mineral's tendency to split along smooth surfaces due to its atomic structures.

This type of front has a steep slope and is associated with sudden violent storms.

The ability of a mineral to resist scratching and weathering

Spin of an object on its axis

The phase of the moon with just a little sliver lit up

An instrument used to measure air pressure

The angular distance N or S from the equator

This word means outside

Line of 0 degrees latitude

Imaginary lines that run north & south and measure distance east & west of the prime meridian

The theory that the solar system formed from a cloud of dust and gas.

How long it takes for half of a radioactive isotope to decay

The weight of the atmosphere pushing down on an area

The point directly above you

March or September 21st when day and night are equal

This is a wicking action where water is pulled up between the spaces of particles.

The process where plants give off water vapor.

When hot, less dense material rises and cool, more dense material sinks

Objects or materials that are moving away from each other

When the right side of the moon is lit up, it is said to be this type of moon

This is a divergent boundary where new crust is forming

The movement of one celestial object in orbit around another

This instrument measures dewpoint and humidity

When planets appear to move backwards in their orbits due to different orbital speeds

Boundaries between two tectonic plates, where displacement can occur

Large tidal range occurring at full and new moon, when both sun and moon pull in same plane

The noon sun is directly above the equator, everyone gets 12 hours of day, 12 hours of night

The swinging of this object proves that the Earth rotates.

When the earth is between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow on the moon.

This happens when a star or galaxy is moving away from the earth. (Big Bang Theory evidence).

Another word for slope

The process that leaves sediments in a new place

A combination of weathered rock and organic material

A bend in a river

Two tectonic plates grinding past each other (San Andreas fault is a good example)

This law states that the youngest rock layers are normally found on top of older layers.

Weathered rock becomes

A change in form due to extreme heat from nearby lava or magma

This law states that igneous intrusions and faults are younger than rock layers they affect