Earth and Physical Science Flashcards

What type of boundary exists where two tectonic plates move away from each other?

Answer: Divergent boundary

Divergent boundaries occur where tectonic plates move apart, often forming mid-ocean ridges.

The law of conservation of energy states that energy:

Answer: Cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed

Energy cannot be created or destroyed — it only changes from one form to another.

Which type of wave requires a medium to travel through?

Answer: Mechanical wave

Mechanical waves (like sound) require a physical medium, while electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum.

The movement of continents over millions of years is explained by the theory of:

Answer: Plate tectonics

Plate tectonics explains how Earth's lithospheric plates move, causing continental drift, earthquakes, and volcanoes.

A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process is a:

Answer: Catalyst

A catalyst lowers activation energy and accelerates reactions without being permanently altered.

The greenhouse effect on Earth is primarily caused by which gases trapping heat?

Answer: Carbon dioxide and methane

Carbon dioxide and methane are primary greenhouse gases that trap solar heat in Earth's atmosphere.