Chapter 3 Key Terms

Question 1

Geosphere

Answer 1

The solid part of Earth that consists of all rock, as well as the soils and loose rocks on Earth’s surface.

Question 2

Hydrosphere

Answer 2

Makes up all of the water on or near Earth’s surface.

Question 3

Crust

Answer 3

Composed of almost entirely of light elements and the crust makes up less than 1 percent of earth’s mass

Question 4

Mantle

Answer 4

The layer beneath the crust, makes up of 68 percent of the mass of Earth. Ab 2,900 km thick made up of rock and medium density.

Question 5

Core

Answer 5

Earth’s innermost layer. Composed of the elments having the greatest density.

Question 6

Lithosphere

Answer 6

The outer layer of Earth. It includes the crust and upper most part of the mantle snd divided into huge pieces called tectonic plates.

Question 7

Asthenosphere

Answer 7

Layer beneath the lithosphere made up of rock that flows very slowly and allows tectonic plates to move on top of it.

Question 8

Tectonic Plates

Answer 8

Glide across the underlying asthenosphere in much the same way a chunk of ice drifts across a pond.

Question 9

Chemical Weathering

Answer 9

Wears down rocks causing them to be smoother as time passes and erosion transports the materials elsewhere.

Question 10

Erosion

Answer 10

Global process where Earthen materials are worn away and transported by natural forces such as wind and water.

Question 11

Atmosphere

Answer 11

Gasses that surround Earth. (Nitrogen-Oxygen-Carbon Dioxide)

Question 12

Troposhphere

Answer 12

Extends out about 18 km above the Earth’s surface and is the atmospheric layer nearest to Earth’s surface.

Question 13

Stratosphere

Answer 13

Above the troposphere. Extends about 18 km to an altitude of about 50 km.

Question 14

Ozone

Answer 14

(O3) A molecule made up of three oxygen atoms. Almost all the ozone in the atmosphere is concentrated in the ozone layer in the stratosphere.

Question 15

Radiation

Answer 15

Transfer of energy as electromagnetic waves.

Question 16

Conduction

Answer 16

Transfer of energy in the form of heat from a warmer object to a colder object when objects are placed in direct physical contact.

Question 17

Convection

Answer 17

Transfer of energy that take place when variation in temperature move the matter making up the air.

Question 18

Greenhouse Effect

Answer 18

Process in which greenhouse gasses absorb and reradiate infrared radiation near the Earth.

Question 19

Water Cycle

Answer 19

Continuous movement of water into the air, onto land, and then back.

Question 20

Evaporation

Answer 20

When liquid water is heated by the sun and then rises into the atmosphere as water vapor.

Question 21

Condensation

Answer 21

When water vapor forms water droplets on dust particles.

Question 22

Precipitation

Answer 22

Water droplets that fall from the sky, also can be sleet, snow, or hail.

Question 23

Salinity

Answer 23

Concentration of all the dissolved salts it contains.

Question 24

Fresh Water

Answer 24

More than 3% of the water on Earth is fresh water. Most of it is locked up in icecaps and glaciers.

Question 25

Biosphere

Answer 25

Narrow Layer around Earth’s surface where life can exist.