Chapter 3 Flashcards
geosphere
the solid part of the earth that consists of all rock, and the soils and sediments on earth’s surface, is the geosphere
hydrosphere
earth’s interior is divided into layers based on composition and structure
crust
earth’s surface is broken into pieces called tectonic plates, which collide, separate, or slip past one another
mantle
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain building are all events that occur at the boundaries of tectonic plates
core
earth’s surface features are continually altered by the action of water and wind
lithosphere
the mixture of gases that surrounds the earth is called the atmosphere
asthenosphere
the atmosphere is composed almost entirely of nitrogen and oxygen
tectonic plate
earth’s atmosphere is divided into four layers bases on changes in temperature that take place at different altitudes
chemical
heat is transferred in the atmosphere by radiation, conduction, convection
greenhouse effect
the gases in the atmosphere act like a layer of glass. both allow solar energy to pass through but glass and some of the gases in the atmosphere absorb energy and stop it from escaping into space
weathering
the process of wearing or being worn by long exposure to the atmosphere.
erosion
the process of eroding or being eroded by wind, water, or other natural agents.
atmosphere
the envelope of gases surrounding the earth or another planet.
troposphere
the lowest region of the atmosphere
stratosphere
the layer of the earth’s atmosphere above the troposphere
ozone
a colorless unstable toxic gas with a pungent odor and powerful oxidizing properties, formed from oxygen by electrical discharges or ultraviolet light. It differs from normal oxygen (O2) in having three atoms in its molecule (O3).
radiation
the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles, especially high-energy particles which cause ionization.
conduction
the process by which heat or electricity is directly transmitted through a substance when there is a difference of temperature or of electrical potential between adjoining regions, without movement of the material.
convection
the movement caused within a fluid by the tendency of hotter and therefore less dense material to rise, and colder, denser material to sink under the influence of gravity, which consequently results in transfer of heat.
water cycle
the cycle of processes by which water circulates between the earth’s oceans, atmosphere, and land, involving precipitation as rain and snow, drainage in streams and rivers, and return to the atmosphere by evaporation and transpiration.
evaporation
the process of turning from liquid into vapor.
condensation
water which collects as droplets on a cold surface when humid air is in contact with it.
precipitation
the action or process of precipitating a substance from a solution.
salinity
the quality or degree of being saline.
fresh water
of or found in fresh water; not of the sea.
biosphere
the regions of the surface, atmosphere, and hydrosphere of the earth (or analogous parts of other planets) occupied by living organisms.
