Ch. 3 Key Terms

Question 1

geosphere

Answer 1

the most solid, rocky part of the earth; extends from the center of the core to the surface of the crust.

Question 2

hydrosphere

Answer 2

The portion of the earth that is water.

Question 3

crust

Answer 3

The thin and solid outermost layer of the earth above the mantle.

Question 4

mantle

Answer 4

In earth science, the layer of rock between the earths crust and core.

Question 5

core

Answer 5

The central part of the Earth below the mantle; also the center of the sun.

Question 6

lithosphere

Answer 6

The soli, outer layer of the Earth that consists of the crust and the rigid upper part of the mantle.

Question 7

asthenosphere

Answer 7

The solid, plastic layer of the mantle beneath the lithosphere; made of mantle rock that flows very slowly, which allows tectonic plates to move on top of it.

Question 8

tectonic plate

Answer 8

A block of lithosphere that consists of the crust and the rigid, outermost part of the mantle; also called lithospheric plate.

Question 9

chemical weathering

Answer 9

The process by which rocks break down as a result of chemical reactions.

Question 10

erosion

Answer 10

Process where materials of the earths surface are loosened dissolve or worn away and transported from one place to another by a natural agent such as wind water ice or gravity.

Question 11

Troposphere

Answer 11

The lowest layer of the atmosphere, in which temperature drops ata constant rate as altitude increases; the part of the atmosphere where weather conditions exist.

Question 12

stratosphere

Answer 12

The layer of the atmosphere that lies between the troposphere and the mesosphere and in which temperature increases as altitude increases; contains the ozone layer.

Question 13

Ozone

Answer 13

A gas molecule that is made up of 3 oxygen atoms.

Question 14

Radiation

Answer 14

The energy that is transferred as electromagnetic waves, such as visible light snd infrared waves.

Question 15

Conduction

Answer 15

The transfer of energy through a material.

Question 16

Convection

Answer 16

The movement of matter due to differences in density that are caused by temperature variations; can result in the transfer of energy as heat.

Question 17

atmosphere

Answer 17

A mixture of gasses that surrounds a planet, such as earth.

Question 18

greenhouse effect

Answer 18

The warming of the surface and lower atmosphere

Question 19

water cycle

Answer 19

The continuous movement of water between the atmosphere, the land, and the oceans.

Question 20

Evaporation

Answer 20

The change of state from a liquid to a gas

Question 21

Condensation

Answer 21

A change of state from a gas to a liquid

Question 22

Precipitation

Answer 22

Any form of water that falls to the Earth’s surface from the clouds; includes rain, snow, sleet, and hail.

Question 23

Salinity

Answer 23

A measure of the amount of dissolved salts in a given amount of liquid.

Question 24

Fresh Water

Answer 24

Water that contains insignificant amounts of salts as in rivers and lakes.

Question 25

Biosphere

Answer 25

The part of the Earth where life exists.