Unit 4 Definitions

Question 1

Hydrosphere

Answer 1

Region of water at or near the earth’s surface waters.

Question 2

Lithosphere

Answer 2

Outer part of solid earth, composed of rock.

Question 3

Biosphere

Answer 3

The region of the planet where organisms live.

Question 4

Atmosphere

Answer 4

A mixture of gases that surround the earth.

Question 5

Carbon Sink

Answer 5

Something which absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases.

Question 6

Slow Carbon Cycle

Answer 6

Moves carbon between the atmosphere, lithosphere, and oceans.

Question 7

Fast Carbon Cycle

Answer 7

The carbon cycle operating on a daily basis, as living things breathe and digest food.

Question 8

Carbonation Weathering

Answer 8

The mixing of water with carbon dioxide to make carbonic acid.

Question 9

Acid Rain

Answer 9

Rainfall which has an acidity level beyond what is expected in non-polluted rainfall.

Question 10

Calcium Bicarbonate

Answer 10

The solution which occurs on rocks which contain calcium carbonate.

Question 11

Diffusion

Answer 11

How smells spread out through the air and how concentrated liquids spread out when placed in water.

Question 12

Carbon Sequestration

Answer 12

The capturing, removal and permanent storage of C02 from the earth’s atmosphere.

Question 13

Photosynthesis

Answer 13

Plants and organisms transforming light energy into chemical energy.

Question 14

Respiration

Answer 14

The process by which organisms exchange gases within the environment.

Question 15

Decomposition

Answer 15

The action of breaking something into smaller parts.

Question 16

Combustion

Answer 16

The burning of material, when organic material burns in the presence of oxygen.

Question 17

Fossil Fuel

Answer 17

Non - Renewable energy resources such as coal, gas and oil.