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| The study of matter found in space. It includes the locations and information about stars, planets, satellites (moons), comets, meteors, and other natural objects. |
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| The scientific theory that the universe began from a large explosion of very dense and hot matter over 13 billion years ago. |
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| A change in the observed spectral lines towards the blue end of the spectrum. Any star showing a blue shift is moving towards Earth. |
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| During the process of fusion in stars, atoms of hydrogen combine with other hydrogen atoms or different elements to form heavier elements. |
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| The amount of matter that exists in an object. |
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| The reaction which occurs in stars. Through the combining of atoms of elements, such as hydrogen, a heavier element is created along with the release of a large amount of energy. |
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| A change in the observed spectral lines towards the red end of the spectrum. Any star showing a red shift is moving away from Earth. |
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| The statement that an explanation of events based on a hypothesis is accurate for what occurs in nature. |
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| All of the matter and energy that exists in space. |
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| The non-living parts of the environment. |
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| A personal determination of whether something appears to be pleasing or not. |
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| The layer of gases that surround Earth. |
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| A reference to the amount of living material in an area. |
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| The number and kinds of different organisms that live in a geographic area. |
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| A major global living community, characterized by the dominant form of plant and the climate. Examples include the desert or a grassland. |
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| A reference to anything having to do with a living organism. |
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| A reference to the production and development of material wealth of a group or country. |
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| The living parts of a community working together with the non-living parts. |
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| Making a choice based on personal principles. |
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| The process of a species being eliminated from Earth. |
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| The process of plants using carbon dioxide and water, in the presence of light energy, to store energy in the form of carbohydrate and emit oxygen. |
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| The act of living together in an organized group or community. |
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| A group of similar organisms which are capable of interbreeding and producing offspring which are similar to the parent organisms. |
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| Referring to the stars of the universe. |
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| The parts of the environment, including organisms and abiotic factors, which interact together. |
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| The part of Earth which is capable of supporting life |
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| The weather conditions that prevail in a region. |
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| An area between Earth's core and mantle where material moves in a circular pattern. Two currents either come together and push up at the surface, or they pull down at the surface. Both currents change the structure of Earth's surface. |
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| The action of plates coming together where convection currents go down from Earth's surface. |
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| The action of plates moving apart where convection currents rise from beneath Earth's surface. |
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| The location of a variation on Earth's surface due to shifting or dislodging of Earth's crust as the result of earthquake activity. |
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| An area of volcanic activity that does not occur at a plate boundary. A hot spot occurs where magma is found near a thin crust area and is able to exit to the surface. |
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| The water portion of Earth. |
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| A proposed explanation for a science problem that can be tested by investigation. |
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| One of the sections of Earth's lithosphere which moves in relation to other sections. |
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| The dynamics of the movement of sections of Earth's lithosphere. It is used to explain earthquakes, volcanoes, continental drift, and mountain building. |
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| The process of creating new oceanic crust as magma comes out at mid-ocean ridges. Older crust is moved to the side when the new crust is created. |
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| The statement that an explanation of events based on a hypothesis is accurate for what occurs in nature. |
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| The sudden occurrence or discharge of magma or steam and exploded volcanic materials. |
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| The current state of the atmosphere in a given location with respect to temperature, moisture, wind speed, and barometric pressure. |
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| Changes in ecosystems are based on the numbers, characteristics and behaviors of the organisms in that ecosystem. |
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| A reference to the time period from the beginning of Earth to the present. |
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| A large mass of ice slowly flowing over a land mass. It forms in an area where snowfall exceeds melting. |
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| Water found under Earth's surface. This water usually is the source for wells and springs. |
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| A large area where water is stored. Examples include a lake, glacier, ocean, and in the clouds. |
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| A reference to the presence of salts in a solution. |
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| A regular change in the surface level of oceans caused by the gravitational force of the sun and moon. |
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| All of the processes (photosynthesis, decomposition, and respiration) by which the element carbon in its different compounds circulates between living and non-living parts of its environment. |
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| An organism such as a bacteria or fungus that breaks down dead plant and animal material, returning the components to the ecosystem. |
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| The use of a natural resource faster than it can be replenished. |
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| A product formed from the decay of plant or animal materials from a previous geologic time. Examples include petroleum and coal. |
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| Earth's outer layer, made of the crust and outer layer of the mantle. |
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| Anything that takes up space and has mass. |
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| The series of events where atmospheric nitrogen is converted into compounds used by organisms and released back to the atmosphere by decomposition. |
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| An upper region of the atmosphere which absorbs much of the ultraviolet radiation from the sun. |
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| To be taken in, as in Earth's surface absorbed the heat energy from the Sun. |
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| The observed fact that objects above Earth move to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere. |
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| The process whereby energy from the sun is trapped by an atmosphere which increases the temperature. |
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| The branch of science that studies the atmosphere and weather |
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| The process of energy being transmitted in the form of rays or waves. |
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| When a wave hits an object, it moves in another direction. |
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A graphic representation of Earth's surface showing locations and elevations.
Review science lab safety rules here.
Get the plug-ins: and . (The QuickTime plug-in is needed to play sounds and movies correctly.)
Want to share photos of you or your friends doing this activity? Send it in an e-mail with the following information: the title of the activity, the URL (Internet address), and your name. Remember that no picture can be used which shows student faces or has a student name on it.
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Updated October 27, 2004 by: Glen Westbroek
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