Scientific Method
Light and Matter
Light- information for our eyes (without light traveling from objects to our eyes, we can’t see)
- Reflection- when light bounces off of a surface (not just a mirror, but any object!)
- Concave Mirror- a mirror that curves inward (like a cave). When light hits a concave mirror, there is a focal point and the reflection is upside down.
- Convex Mirror- a mirror that curves outward. When light hits a convex mirror, there is no focal point and the reflection is right side up.
- Focal Point- a point where light beams cross, causing the image to be upside down
- Photon- Energy particle of light
- Electromagnetic Wave- The spectrum of all light (visible and invisible)
- Wave Height- How tall a wave is
- Amplitude- How tall a wave is (from the middle to the top)
- Frequency- How spread out a wave is/ how scrunched up it is (also, how fast it is traveling)
Thermal Energy- How much heat energy a particle has (high T.E. is HOT!)
Kinetic Energy- How much motion a particle has (high K.E. is moving a lot!)
Atom- Smallest particle of matter
Molecule- More than one atom stuck together with a chemical bond
Crystal- repeating pattern of atoms stuck together with chemical bonds
Conduction- When particles hit each other, causing energy to transfer
Convection- When hot particles float up and cold particles sink down
Radiation- When electromagnetic waves (like sunlight) are absorbed by a particle
Thermal Energy
- Condensation- Particles of gas cool down, get denser, and become liquid
- Evaporation- Particles of liquid get warmer, get less dense, and become gas
- Density- how much stuff in some space (high density= lots of stuff in a little space, low density= not much stuff in the space)
Weather
Step 1: Radiation- Sun warms the Earth’s ground particles
Step 2: Conduction- The Earth’s particles warm the air particles
eather Fronts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwIQds-4I7I
Warm fronts have warmer air high up + high humidity
Cold fronts have colder air high up + low humidity
Rain Shadow Effect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMu4dShS74w
Condense: particles increase in density (from gas to liquid, causing rain or snow to fall
Earth’s Structure
- The Earth is layered because of the different densities of each material. The core is the most dense, the crust is the least dense.
- The plates move around like a conveyer belt
- The continents have crashed together and broken apart many times in Earth’s history
I identify Igneous Rocks by the following characteristics:
- Very Hard (usually)
- Bubbly/full of holes (Extrusive)
- Full of crystals and speckles (Intrusive)
I identify Metamorphic Rocks by the following characteristics:
- Pretty Hard
- All one flat color (Non-foliated)
- Stripes and layers that are not straight (Foliated)
I identify Sedimentary Rocks by the following characteristics:
- Soft/powdery
- Flat layers (layered sedimentary- sometimes with fossils!)
- Filled with smaller rocks and sand (conglomerate)