ELSS Key Terms Flashcards
Interconnected
Different parts being connected
Atmosphere
The envelope of gases surrounding the earth
Hydrosphere
All the water on the earths surface
Geosphere
All the rocks/resources on the planet
Biosphere
All living organisms on earth
Cryosphere
All things ice, could be considered hydrosphere
System
A set of things working together as parts of a mechanism
Open system
Inputs and outputs of energy and materials
Closed system
Inputs and outputs of energy but not materials
Isolated system
No inputs or outputs of energy or materials
Inputs
Things that go in
Outputs
Things that come out
Store
A quantity or supply of something
Transfer
Movement from one place to another
Global water cycle
The continuous movement of water between stores
Drainage basin system
A closed system where water never leaves
Drainage basin
The area of land drained by a river
Source
Beginnings of rivers
Tributary
A secondary river which runs into the main river
Confluence
Point where tributary and river meets
Mouth
Point where river meets sea/ocean
Watershed
Drainage basin boarders
Precipitation
Water released from clouds
Condensation
Where water vapour becomes liquid
Surface run-off
Unconfined flow of water over ground surface
Evapotranspiration
The movement of water from earths surface
Stratiform cloud
Clouds lying in a level sheet
Cumuliform cloud
A cloud formed by convection
Cirrus cloud
High altitude, feather-like cloud
Global carbon cycle
The continuous movement of carbon between stores
