Fundamental Kinematics Definitions
Key Concepts in Kinematics
- The variation of the position vector of a particle that it experiences in a time interval is called displacement.
- The displacement vector is independent of the trajectory that the particle follows in its motion.
- The distance traveled by a particle is greater than or equal to the magnitude of the displacement vector experienced by the particle when moving from one position to another.
- The distance traveled by a particle is equal to the magnitude of the displacement vector,
Earth’s Crust, Minerals, Rocks, and Elements
Earth’s Crust
The crust is the outermost layer of the Earth. Principal relief features include:
- Continental Shelf: Prolongation of the continent under the ocean.
- Abyssal Plain: Flat surface located about 6,000-12,000 meters deep, forming most of the ocean floor.
- Continental Slope: Slope between the continental shelf and the deep sea-bottom.
- Ocean Trenches: Deep depressions over 10,000 meters, associated with edges of continents and archipelagos.
- Seamounts: Underwater mountains.
- Oceanic Ridges: Large mountain
Key Climate and Ocean Terms Defined
Cell Connect
A closed set of backward and side wind movements.
Ocean Currents
Movements are continuous, and water bodies are the main mechanism of heat transport, more effective than the atmosphere.
Surface Currents
The main ocean currents that run through the central zones of the oceans largely follow the pattern of anticyclonic winds, moving west and then east along the trade winds, carrying clouds and rainfall. Upon reaching the west (East Coast), they return to their origin; this is called the West
Read MoreKey Definitions: Soil and Natural Resources
Farming (Sustainable Agriculture)
Agricultural production prioritizing soil and water conservation and minimizing negative environmental impacts. This is achieved by using organic fertilizers, avoiding chemical pesticides and aggressive plowing techniques, using genetically diverse and non-transgenic varieties, and rotating crops.
Desertification
While some authors use ‘desertification’ to describe the natural process of soil degradation and erosion leading to desert conditions, others apply the term
Read MoreEarth’s Surface Processes: Weathering, Soil, Erosion, Transport
Geological Processes
Weathering
Transformation of rock by the action of weather and living organisms.
Physical Weathering
Transformations that alter the physical structure of rock (e.g., temperature contrasts) without changing its chemical composition.
- Cryoclasty (Frost Wedging): Breaking by ice.
- Haloclasty (Salt Wedging): Breaking by salts.
- Thermoclasty: Breaking by temperature changes.
- Bioclasty: Breaking by living organisms.
Chemical Weathering
Chemical reactions within the rock that transform minerals
Read MoreSedimentary Rocks and External Geodynamics Hazards
Sedimentary Rock Characteristics
- Stratification is characteristic of sedimentary rocks, which are often found in overlapping horizontal layers called strata, limited by a roof and wall. The distance between the ceiling and the wall is the power.
- The structure is the geometric arrangement of the components of a sediment or sedimentary rock.
- Texture is the internal order of the rocks as to disposition, shape, and relative size of its components. It may be clastic, consisting of bits of minerals or rocks,