NES 103 Science Questions with Correct Solutions
black holes
Created when very large stars collapse. They have a gravitational force so strong that light
cannot escape.
stars
Hot balls of plasma and gasses. There are many types , including Supergiant, White Dwarfs,
Giants and Neutrons.
nebulas
Large clouds of dust and gas where stars form.
galaxies
Consist of stars, gas and dust held together by gravity and contain millions of stars. Ours is
called the Milky Way.
lunar eclipse
Occurs when Earth lines up between the moon and the sun; the moon moves into the shadow of
Earth and appears dark in color. SEM
solar eclipse
Occurs when the moon lines up between Earth and the sun; the moon covers the sun, blocking
sunlight. EarthMoonSun
cycle of day and night
,It takes 24 hours for the Earth to rotate on its axis.
seasonal cycle
During this cycle it takes 365 days for the Earth to revolve around the sun.
mineral
A naturally occurring solid, inorganic substance with a crystalline structure. ID properties
include color, luster, hardness and density. EX: talc, topaz
rock
A naturally occurring solid that can be organic or inorganic and is composed of 1 or more
minerals. Classified based on their method of formation. There are 3 types: igneous, sedimentary
and metamorphic.
igneous rocks
Rocks formed by the tectonic process that bring magma to the earth's surface. Liquid rock cools
and solidifies.
sedimentary rocks
Formed from the compaction of rock fragments that results from weathering and erosion.
metamorphic rocks
Rocks formed when extreme temps and pressure cause the structure of preexisting rocks to
change.
the rock cycle
, Describes how rocks form and break down.
1 magna rises to the surface creating igneous rocks.
2 The rocks weather subjecting them to mechanical/chemical breakdown. Erosion then moves
that sediment to a new location. The ongoing sediment deposit compacts creating sedimentary
rocks.
3 As new layers are added, rocks and minerals are forced closer to the earth's core where they are
subject to heat and pressure, creating metamorphic rock. These rocks eventually melt and the
cycle starts over.
paleontology
The study of the history of life through fossils.
tectonic plates
The dozen or so plates that make up the surface of the Earth.
crust
The outermost layer of the earth, including tectonic plates.
mantle
The layer of earth below the crust.
core
The layer at the center of the earth. The outer part is a liquid layer and the inner part is solid iron.
The inner core creates the earth's magnetic field.
hydrosphere
black holes
Created when very large stars collapse. They have a gravitational force so strong that light
cannot escape.
stars
Hot balls of plasma and gasses. There are many types , including Supergiant, White Dwarfs,
Giants and Neutrons.
nebulas
Large clouds of dust and gas where stars form.
galaxies
Consist of stars, gas and dust held together by gravity and contain millions of stars. Ours is
called the Milky Way.
lunar eclipse
Occurs when Earth lines up between the moon and the sun; the moon moves into the shadow of
Earth and appears dark in color. SEM
solar eclipse
Occurs when the moon lines up between Earth and the sun; the moon covers the sun, blocking
sunlight. EarthMoonSun
cycle of day and night
,It takes 24 hours for the Earth to rotate on its axis.
seasonal cycle
During this cycle it takes 365 days for the Earth to revolve around the sun.
mineral
A naturally occurring solid, inorganic substance with a crystalline structure. ID properties
include color, luster, hardness and density. EX: talc, topaz
rock
A naturally occurring solid that can be organic or inorganic and is composed of 1 or more
minerals. Classified based on their method of formation. There are 3 types: igneous, sedimentary
and metamorphic.
igneous rocks
Rocks formed by the tectonic process that bring magma to the earth's surface. Liquid rock cools
and solidifies.
sedimentary rocks
Formed from the compaction of rock fragments that results from weathering and erosion.
metamorphic rocks
Rocks formed when extreme temps and pressure cause the structure of preexisting rocks to
change.
the rock cycle
, Describes how rocks form and break down.
1 magna rises to the surface creating igneous rocks.
2 The rocks weather subjecting them to mechanical/chemical breakdown. Erosion then moves
that sediment to a new location. The ongoing sediment deposit compacts creating sedimentary
rocks.
3 As new layers are added, rocks and minerals are forced closer to the earth's core where they are
subject to heat and pressure, creating metamorphic rock. These rocks eventually melt and the
cycle starts over.
paleontology
The study of the history of life through fossils.
tectonic plates
The dozen or so plates that make up the surface of the Earth.
crust
The outermost layer of the earth, including tectonic plates.
mantle
The layer of earth below the crust.
core
The layer at the center of the earth. The outer part is a liquid layer and the inner part is solid iron.
The inner core creates the earth's magnetic field.
hydrosphere
