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Earth Sciences
Earth Sciences is the study of the Earth in terms of Geography, Geology, Geophysics, etc. It combines the use of Sciences such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics to understand the Earth System.
34,763 Questions
What are Small hills of sand made by the wind in desert called?
Small hills of sand made by the wind in a desert are called sand dunes.
2 major fluid compartments of the body?
The two major fluid compartments in the body are the intracellular fluid, which is located inside cells, and the extracellular fluid, which includes the fluid found outside of cells in the interstitial spaces and blood plasma.
10swg (standard wire gauge) typically refers to a wire diameter of 0.1285 inches or about 3.264mm.
An increase in ocean temperatures can cause?
An increase in ocean temperatures can cause coral bleaching, which occurs when corals expel the algae living in their tissues, leading to their loss of color and eventual death if the stress persists. This can disrupt marine ecosystems, as coral reefs are crucial habitats for many marine species. Additionally, warmer waters can also intensify hurricanes and typhoons, leading to more frequent and severe storms in coastal regions.
What are the 2 ways the suns energy can affect the earth?
electromagnetic energy from the sun affects six of the earth's major systems:
1) the biosphere
2) the hydrosphere
3) the lithosphere
4) the atmosphere
5) the cryosphere
6) the anthrosphere
The Biosphere is made up of all of the biological components of earth. The sun is essentially the main source of energy that has fueled the development of the biosphere (this is not the case for ecosystems that thrive off of earth's geothermal energy in the deep sea). The first lifeforms were photosynthetic, they made carbohydrates (food) using CO2 and water and energy from the sun. These carbohydrates fueled other cellular activities including the synthesis of other biochemical molecules using minerals in the environment. Today plants and microorganisms are the primary producers in the ecosystems of the earth. They introduce carbohydrates ultimately made from the suns energy. This energy trickles down the food chain supplying life to plants and animals.
The Hydrosphere includes all of the liquid and gaseous water on the earth. The water cycle begins with heat ultimately produced from solar radiation that causes water to evaporate. Evaporation occurs more frequently over the ocean and condensation and raining occurs more frequently over the continents. Thus this rain is the primary weathering and erosive force that has shaped the geography of continents through out geologic history. So in affecting the hydrosphere the sun also plays a role in shaping the crustal portions of the lithosphere.
The atmosphere: The atmosphere is made up of a mixture of many gases, primarily nitrogen and oxygen with smaller amounts of water, carbon dioxide, methane, and particulate aerosols. Carbon dioxide, methane, and water are green house gases that absorb the solar radiation that is reflected off of the surface of the earth in the form of infrared heat. Thus the interplay of the sun with green house gases in the atmosphere causes the lower portions of the atmosphere to warm up.
The cryosphere: The sun has an indirect affect on the frozen water on our planet. Since the sun warms the lower atmosphere, the melting rate in land glaciers and polar ice caps increases. This in turn affects the hydrosphere as an increasing flux of water trickles down to the ocean, raising the sea level. A rising sea level would have the affect of raising the base level of rivers and thus decreasing their ability to erode the upper lithosphere (crust).
The Anthrosphere Includes the parts of the world that are made, used, and modified, by and due to human activity. All of our activities are scheduled by the presence or absence of sun light. We work during the day and sleep at night. But beyond this the sun has actually played an indirect role in our ability to affect global warming. The sun has given light energy to plants and microorganisms which have fixed carbon into carbohydrates which, over a geologic time scale, have been converted into petroleum and coal. The human combustion of petro-fuels and coal does two things:
1) It improves our economy and increases our capability to populate the world
2) it releases CO2 back into the atmosphere where it originally came from.
Hence, the sun is indirectly responsible for our economy, our size, and our ability to affect climate change.
What are three natural processes that might have helped to shape the earth?
The Theory of Natural Selection, occasionally still referred to as, the survival of the fittest, posits that the organisms that are most adaptive to change will survive in greater numbers, and so, will propagate more (adaptable) offspring. These genetic survival traits will then have more impact on these and subsequent generations of offspring. For instance, early, speedy humans may have survived in greater numbers than their slower cousins. Also, some speedy humans may have selected speedy mates. Therefore, they were able to produce more speedy offspring, through more generations, to fuel the speedy-human-trait takeover. These and similar processes, over long periods of time are what can (and do) lead to the creation of new species.
What does a steam on a flower do?
Steam can help open up the pores on the flower stems, allowing them to take in more water and nutrients, which can increase the flower's lifespan. Additionally, steam can help remove dust and dirt on the surface of the petals, making the flower look fresher and more vibrant.
What is the most common liquid in the Earth's atmosphere?
"there is no liquid in the earths atmosphere. There are only gases. Nitrogen makes up the largest percent. approx. 72% I believe"
...I'm sorry to disappointed you but you know those things called clouds? They aren't steam, they're water molecules suspended in the gases that make up the air. That's also what humidity is, the level of water suspended in the air. By water I mean the liquid form of H2O as opposed to Steam or Ice.
How much of the earth surface is used to grow food?
Approximately 38% of Earth's land surface is used for agriculture. This includes both crop cultivation and livestock grazing. The remaining land is made up of forests, cities, deserts, and other types of terrain.
Animals can dig holes and can kick up dirt i guess, and when roots grow from plants they can grow into cracks in rocks and cause them to break apart. I dont know the second way for plants to move the surface materials.
What are two main factors that affect where groundwater becomes surface water?
Two main factors are the geology of the area, which determines how easily water can flow through the ground, and the topography, which influences where the water table intersects the surface. Other factors can include vegetation, human activities, and precipitation patterns.
Which side of hill does thermal rise?
Thermals typically rise on the sunny side of a hill, where the ground has absorbed more heat and can then heat the air above it. This warmer air will rise due to its lower density compared to the surrounding air, creating lift for gliders and birds.
What types of forces or stresses produces folds in rocks?
Folds in rocks are mainly produced by compressional forces, such as when tectonic plates collide or when rocks are subjected to intense pressure from overlying materials. These forces cause the rocks to deform and bend, resulting in folds. Other factors like temperature, time, and rock composition can also affect the formation of folds in rocks.
Quartz typically has a vitreous or glassy luster, which gives it a shiny and reflective appearance. This luster is a result of the crystal structure of quartz and its ability to reflect light.
When do Plants transfer carbon in the carbon cycle?
Plants transfer carbon during photosynthesis, where they take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into glucose and oxygen. The stored carbon is then passed on to other organisms when they are consumed as food or decomposed.
What would happen if there was no California current?
Without the California Current, the coastal waters of California would become warmer, impacting marine life and ecosystems that depend on the current for nutrients and food sources. The absence of the California Current could lead to changes in weather patterns, affecting coastal climates in the region. Additionally, the fishing industry, as well as marine wildlife, would likely be significantly impacted.
What are two major categories of weathering?
The two major categories of weathering are mechanical weathering and chemical weathering. Mechanical weathering involves the physical breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces through processes like frost wedging and root growth. Chemical weathering involves the alteration of rock material through chemical reactions, such as oxidation and dissolution.
Dileptus are carnivorous organisms that primarily feed on other small protozoans, such as ciliates and flagellates. They capture their prey using their long, adhesive tentacles, which they use to engulf and digest their food.
What are the four major components of the earths crust?
hydrosphere
sedimentary rock
basalt ocean floor
granite foundation
The driving force for the movement of materials in the phloem of plants is?
Phloem ~ Pressure Flow Theory
The phloem tissue moves products of photosynthesis by active transport. The flow of materials in phloem is an active process that requires energy. The mechanism of flow is driven by an osmotic pressure gradient, generated by difference in sugar and water concentrations.
Just remember photosynthesis= water + sugar
water= osmosis sugar=gradient
What causes wave interference?
Wave interference occurs when two or more waves meet and overlap in the same medium. The waves combine to form a new wave pattern through constructive interference (when the peaks or troughs align) or destructive interference (when peaks align with troughs). This can lead to changes in the amplitude and frequency of the resulting wave.
What are large sections of earth's crust and upper mantle called?
Large sections of Earth's crust and upper mantle are called tectonic plates. These plates are responsible for the movement and interactions that shape the Earth's surface, including the formation of mountains, earthquakes, and volcanoes.
A supply of water that lies deep beneath earths surface?
Groundwater is a supply of water that is stored beneath the earth's surface in saturated rock formations called aquifers. It is accessed through wells and boreholes for drinking water and irrigation purposes. Groundwater can be replenished through rainfall and infiltration.
Air near the equator average higher temperatures than air near the poles?
Yes, air near the equator is typically warmer than air near the poles due to the angle at which sunlight strikes the earth. Near the equator, sunlight is more concentrated, resulting in higher temperatures. In contrast, near the poles, sunlight is spread out over a larger area, leading to cooler temperatures.
Magma from deep inside earth rises toward the surface because?
Magma from deep inside the Earth rises toward the surface because of its lower density compared to the surrounding rocks, creating buoyancy forces that drive the magma upwards. Additionally, the pressure from gases within the magma can also contribute to its ascent.
