Final answer:
The study of Earth materials and nutrients pertains to geology, which focuses on the Earth's crust and natural processes that shape the surface. Geography is broader, examining physical features and human interactions with the Earth. Geology is integral in understanding Earth’s formation and climate change implications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The science concerned with the study of Earth materials and nutrients is geology. Geology delves into the composition of Earth's crust and the dynamic processes that have sculpted its surface throughout history. This includes the investigation of mountains, valleys, volcanoes, continents, and ocean basins. Notably, geologists have made significant advancements in understanding these landforms, particularly since the discovery of plate tectonics in the mid-20th century.
In contrast, geography is a broader discipline that encompasses the study of the Earth's physical features, including its climate, inhabitants, and the spatial relationships between various phenomena. Physical geography, a subset of this field, focuses on natural elements of the environment like rivers, mountains, and climate. Human geography examines cultural aspects and how humans affect and are affected by the natural world. Geography also looks into environmental change and the earth's placement within the universe.
While both geology and physical geography can be related to the study of Earth's materials, geology is more focused on the physical properties and historical processes of Earth's crust, making it the more appropriate answer to the student's question. Moreover, the role of geology is critical in understanding climate change due to the historic and current impacts of geological events and resources, such as fossil fuels, on the environment.