Addison-Wesley Earth Science Authors: Robert E. Fariel, Robert W. Hinds, David B.Berey Chapter 1 Studying the Earth Section 1 The Earth - Earth Sciences -The Scientific Method astronomy The science concerned with stars and planets. atmosphere The blanket of air, dust, water droplets, ice particles, etc. that completely covers the earth's lithosphere and hydrosphere. biosphere The region where all life is found. chemical property A feature of the way one substance reacts with another substance. classifying Grouping similar objects or events. data A collection of observations. direct observation Information received by one or more of the senses. geology The science concerned with the earth's lithosphere. hydrology The science concerned with the earth's entire hydrosphere. hydrosphere The entire liquid or water part of the earth. hypothesis Possible answer to a problem, based on observations. indirect observation An observation that requires the use of an instrument. inference An interpretation of observations. instrument Used to extend our senses when making observations. lithosphere The solid part of the earth. meteorology The science concerned with the earth's atmosphere. oceanography The science concerned with the oceans. petrology The part of geology that specializes in rocks. physical property A feature of a substance in itself. theory Based on strong evidence that several generally accepted hypotheses are correct. An explanation for observed phenomena that has a high possibility of being true. (Pl) Chapter 2 Section 1 Minerals atom The smallest complete part of an element with all the properties of that element cleavage The ability of a mineral to break into smooth, parallel surfaces compound A substance made up of two or more elements joined together in fixed proportions crystal The shape produced when mineral grains have freedom to form in any direction crystalline solid A solid substance whose atoms are locked together into fixed patterns; true of all minerals element A substance that contains only one kind of atom heft A rough-estimate weight test for minerals impurities Atoms of elements other than the key elements of a mineral inorganic Not organic; formed, for the most part, without the help of plants and animals luster The way that a mineral reflects the light matter Anything that takes up space and has mass mineral A compound that is natural, inorganic, a crystalline solid, and made up of key elements nonsilicate minerals All minerals that are not silicates silicate minerals Minerals containing silicon and oxygen streak The color of the powder of a mineral against a white background theory A way of explaining how or why something happens fracture The manner in which a mineral breaks (that does not have cleavage) Chapter 2 Section 2 Rocks sedimentary rock Rock that is formed from sediments lava What magma is called after it reaches the surface of the earth magma Liquid rock melt that is found in some places beneath the earth's surface metamorphic rock Rock that is formed deep within the earth's crust when minerals and rocks are changed by very great heat and pressure which changes the crystal structure mineral composition A list of the minerals that make up a rock rock A mixture of minerals that is beneath all soil and water on the earth's surface Naturally formed, consolidated material composed of grains of one or more minerals. (There are a few exceptions to this definition.) (Pl) rock cycle The process by which rock is changed from one class to another igneous rock Rock that is formed from hot melted materials texture The pattern made by the size, shape, and arrangement of the particles that are in rock Chapter 2 Section 3 Using Earth Materials coal A solid fossil fuel. fission Atomic energy that is produced when certain large, unstable atoms are made to split apart to form atoms of a different element. fossil fuels Fuels formed from the remains of plants and animals that lived and died long ago. fusion Atomic energy that is produced when atoms of an element are fused together to form atoms of a different element. geothermal energy Energy powered by heat from deep within the earth's crust. hydroelectric energy Electricity produced by generators powered by moving water. mine The place that ore comes from. natural gas A fossil fuel that is a gas. ore Any mineral or rock from which a needed substance can be removed cheaply enough and easily enough. peat- A brown, lightweight, unconsolidated or semi-consolidated deposit of plant remains. (Pl) petrochemicals Chemical products made from petroleum. petroleum A liquid fossil fuel. solar energy Energy from the sun. trap A kind of blockage formed by nonporous rock that traps petroleum and natural gas.