Earth in Space
What causes the change in seasons on Earth?
The tilt of Earth's axis relative to its orbit around the Sun.
What type of rock forms from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava, and often exhibits interlocking crystals?
Igneous rock.
What term describes the energy possessed by an object due to its motion or movement?
Kinetic energy.
What term describes the smallest unit of an element that retains the properties of that element?
Atom.
What is the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms?
Cell.
What causes the phenomenon of ocean tides on Earth?
Gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and, to a lesser extent, the Sun on Earth's oceans.
What term describes the process by which rocks and minerals are broken down into smaller pieces by physical, chemical, or biological means?
Weathering.
What type of energy is stored in an object due to its position or configuration, such as a compressed spring or an object raised above the ground?
Potential energy.
What term describes a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances, where one substance (the solute) is dissolved in another substance (the solvent)?
Solution.
What are the three fundamental principles of cell theory?
All living organisms are composed of one or more cells, the cell is the basic unit of structure and function in organisms, and all cells arise from pre-existing cells through cell division.
What process powers the Sun, converting hydrogen into helium and releasing energy?
Nuclear fusion.
What geological phenomenon occurs at the boundaries of tectonic plates where they move apart from each other, allowing magma to rise and form new crust?
Seafloor spreading.
What is the name of the force that opposes the relative motion or tendency of such motion of two surfaces in contact with each other?
Friction.
What term describes the electrons in the outermost energy level of an atom that are involved in chemical bonding and determine the atom's reactivity?
Valence electrons.
What type of cell division produces gametes (sperm and egg cells) with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell?
Meiosis.
What is the name of the phenomenon where the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on Earth's surface?
Solar eclipse.
What atmospheric phenomenon occurs when warm air rises and cools, causing water vapor to condense into tiny droplets or ice crystals, forming clouds?
Condensation.
What type of waves require a medium, such as air, water, or solids, to propagate, and cannot travel through a vacuum?
Mechanical waves.
What type of mixture is uniform in composition throughout and consists of a single phase?
Homogeneous mixture.
What are large geographic areas characterized by similar climate, vegetation, and animal life?
Biomes.
What is the name of the tide that occurs when the gravitational forces of the Sun and the Moon are aligned, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides?
Spring tide.
What meteorological phenomenon occurs when warm, moist air rises rapidly, cools, and condenses to form towering clouds, often leading to thunderstorms and heavy rainfall?
Rainfall or thunderstorms.
What term describes the energy associated with the motion of particles within a substance, arising from the temperature of the substance?
Thermal energy.
What does the pH scale measure, indicating the acidity or basicity of a solution?
The concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) in a solution.
What is the name of the connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone in the human body?
Tendon.