Earth Science Vocabulary

the average pattern of weather that occurs in a certain location over many years

An object made of rock, ice, dust, and gas that revolves around the Sun

The condition of the atmosphere at a given time and place

a property of a mineral that describes how it appears when it reflects light

an object that is found in the solar system, orbits the sun, and is much smaller than a planet

A natural object that orbits a planet

rocks, soil, and other earth materials moving from one place to another

the breaking down of rock due to conditions in the weather

a property of a mineral that describes how easily it can be scratched

the motion of one object around another object

a property used to describe how easily a mineral breaks apart along smooth surfaces

a climate zone near the equator characterized by warm temperatures

the loose top layer of Earth's surface made of weathered rock and organic matter

a large object in space that is made of gas and produces its own light

process by which water is changed from a gas to a liquid

the continuous movement of water through the environment

_______________forms when layers of sediment are pressed together.

a climate zone characterized by very little precipitation and extremely cold temperatures

measure of the amount of moisture in the air

A large body in space that orbits a star and does not produce its own light

The process by which water is changed from a liquid to a gas (water vapor)

When melted rock cools, it forms _____________.

the gas state of water

A system of planets and other bodies that orbits a star 

a form of water (hail, rain, sleet, snow) that condenses in the atmosphere

half of Earth

the color of the powder of a mineral when it is rubbed on a streak plate

When sedimentary rock is changed by heat or pressure, it forms ________________.

the turning of an object on its axis

a solid material formed in nature on or in Earth's crust with its own properties

A climate zone characterized by moderate temperatures