click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Science Quarterly 2
Question | Answer |
---|---|
hypothesis | in science, an idea that can be tested by experimentation or investigation |
mid-ocean ridge | an undersea mountain chain where new ocean floor is produced; a divergent plate boundary under the ocean |
sea-floor spreading | process by which molten materials adds new ocean crust to the ocean floor |
subduction | process by which oceanic crust sinks beneath a deep-ocean trench and back into the mantle at a convergent plate boundary |
ocean trench | an undersea valley that represents one of the deepest parts of the ocean |
divergent boundary | a plate boundary where two plates move away from each other |
convergent boundary | a plate boundary where two plates move towards each other |
transform boundary | a plate boundary where two plates move past each other in opposition directions |
theory | in science, ideas that are supported by a vast, diverse array of evidence |
stress | a force that acts on rock to change its shape or volume |
tension | stress that stretches rock so that it becomes thinner in the middle |
compression | stress that squeezes rock until it folds or breaks |
shearing | stress that pushes masses of rock in opposite directions, in a sideways movement |
fault | a break in Earth's crust along which rocks move |
earthquake | the shaking that results from the movement of rock beneath Earth's surface |
magnitude | the measurement of an earthquake's strength based on seismic waves and movement along faults |
tsunami | a giant wave usually caused by an earthquake beneath the ocean floor |
scale | the ratio between the size of something and a representation of it; can be used for units of time or distance |
volcano | a weak spot in the crust where magma has come to the surface |
magma | a molten mixture of rock-forming substances, gases, and water from the mantle |
lava | liquid magma that reaches the surface |
hot spot | an area where magma from deep within the mantle melts through the crust above it |
extinct | term used to describe a volcano that is no longer active and unlikely to erupt again |
dormant | term used to describe a volcano that is not currently active but able to become active in the future |
active | full of activity or engaged in continuous activity |
composite | something made of a mixture of different parts or elements |
igneous rock | forms from the cooling of molten rock at or below the surface. |
sedimentary rock | forms when particles from other rocks or the remains of plants and animals are pressed and cemented together. |
sediment | small, solid pieces of material that come from rocks or the remains of organisms; earth materials deposited by erosion |
metamorphic rock | forms from an existing rock that is changed by heat, pressure, or chemical reactions. |
rock cycle | a series of processes on the surface and inside Earth that slowly changes rocks from one kind to another. |
source | where something originates or comes from. |
process | a series of actions or operations leading toward a particular result. |
apply | to lay or spread on, to put into operation or effect |
seismic wave | vibrations that travel through Earth carrying the energy released during an earthquake. |
crust | the layer of rock that forms Earth's outer surface. |
mantle | the layer of hot, solid material between Earth's crust and core. |
outer core | a layer of molten iron and nickel that surrounds the inner core of Earth. |
inner core | a dense sphere of solid iron and nickel at the center of Earth. |
evidence | support or proof of something; can be direct or indirect. |
elements | the smallest or most basic parts of something. |
mineral | a naturally occurring solid that can form by inorganic processes and that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition. |
crystal | a solid in which the atoms are arranged in a pattern that repeats again and again. |
crystallization | the process by which atoms are arranged to form a material with a crystal structure. |
organic | refers to a material that is living or comes from living things. |