Earth and Space Science Overview

Click on the flashcard to see the answer



What causes day and night on Earth?

Day and night are caused by the Earth's rotation on its axis.

What is the largest planet in our solar system?

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system.

Why do we have seasons on Earth?

Seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis as it orbits the Sun.

What is the Earth's core made of?

The Earth's core is made primarily of iron and nickel.

How are stars formed?

Stars form from collapsing clouds of gas and dust called nebulae.

What is the Milky Way?

The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains our solar system.

What is plate tectonics?

Plate tectonics is the theory that Earth's outer shell is divided into plates that move over the mantle.

How do eclipses occur?

Eclipses occur when one celestial body moves into the shadow of another.

Why do tides happen?

Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on Earth's oceans.

What is the water cycle?

The water cycle describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.

What is an ecosystem?

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their environment.

What is the function of the atmosphere?

The atmosphere protects life on Earth by blocking harmful radiation and regulating temperature.

How old is the Earth estimated to be?

The Earth is estimated to be about 4.5 billion years old.

What is an asteroid?

An asteroid is a small rocky body orbiting the sun, mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Why do volcanoes erupt?

Volcanoes erupt due to pressure from molten rock beneath the Earth's surface.