TERMS Lessons 1-3 (7.1/7.2/7.3)

Question 1

Atmosphere

Answer 1

Layer of gases surrounding the planet

Question 2

Climate

Answer 2

the average weather condition in a region over a long period of time (30 years or more)

Question 3

Greenhouse effect

Answer 3

where heat is trapped onto earth’s surface.

process: sun rays go to earth, some are reflected back into space and some are absorbed by the earth. greenhouse gases trap more of the sun’s heat causing global warming.

Question 4

Hydrosphere

Answer 4

All water on Earth

Question 5

Albedo

Answer 5

amount of light reflected off a surface

low albedo - closer to black, absorbs heat
high albedo - closer to white, reflects heat

Question 6

Tectonic plate

Answer 6

large slabs of rock that divide Earth’s crust

Question 7

Anthropogenic

Answer 7

changes in nature that are caused by humans

Question 8

Climatograph

Answer 8

Graph of 30 year averages of monthly temperature and precipitation

Question 9

Biome

Answer 9

Areas with similar biotic and abiotic components

Question 10

Ecozone

Answer 10

Combined data on climate, geology, landscape, soil, vegetation, wildlife, water and human factors.

Question 11

Ecoregion

Answer 11

Divisions of ecozones; areas where ecosystems are similar

Question 12

Global warming

Answer 12

increase in Earth’s average temperature (due to rising levels of greenhouse gases).

Question 13

Desertification

Answer 13

type of land degradation where the dryland loses its vegetation (becoming a desert)

Question 14

Deforestation

Answer 14

clearing of forested land/wide area of trees

Question 15

Weather

Answer 15

what the atmosphere is like over a short period of time (heat, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain)