Help
Options
Didn't know it?
click below
click below
Knew it?
click below
click below
Don't Know
Remaining cards (0)
Know
retry
shuffle
restart
0:00
Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Topic 5 vocabulary
Introduction to Earth Systems
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| System | a group of parts that work together as a whole |
| Atmosphere | the relatively thin envelope of gases that forms Earth’s outermost layer |
| Geosphere | includes the solid metal inner core, the liquid metal outer core, and the rocky mantle and crust of the Earth. Makes up most of the Earth’s mass in the form of rock and metal. |
| Hydrosphere | All the Earth’s water, including water that cycles through the atmosphere |
| Cryosphere | the frozen component of the hydrosphere. It is made up of all the ice and snow on land, plus sea and lake ice |
| Biosphere | The parts of Earth that contain all living organisms |
| Energy | the ability to do work |
| Topography | the shape of the land. Land can be described using elevation, relief and landforms |
| Landforms | are the features such as coastlines, dunes and mountains. Different landforms have different combinations of elevation and relief. |
| Mountain | a landform with both high elevation and high relief |
| Coastline | the boundary between the land and the ocean or a lake |
| Dune | a hill of sand piled up by the wind. In coastal regions they are parallel to the coastline to protect the land from ocean waves. |
| River | a natural stream of water that flows into another body of water such as an ocean, lake or another river |
| Delta | a landform made when sediment builds up |
| Surveying | mapmakers determine distances and elevations using instruments and the principles of geometry |
| Water cycle | the continuous process by which water moves from Earth’s surface to the atmosphere and back again |
| Evaporation | The process by which molecules at the surface of a liquid absorb enough energy to change into a gas |
| Transpiration | the process in which water vapor is given off through the leaves of a plant during a step in the water cycle |
| Condensation | the process by which water vapor becomes liquid water |
| Precipitation | Water that forms in clouds and falls to Earth as rain, snow, hail or sleet |
| Watershed | the land area that supplies water to a river |
| Water table | the upper level of the saturated zone (openings in layers are filled with water) |
| Aquifers | layers of rock that hold water, located below the saturated zone |
| Well | a hole sunk into the earth to reach a supply of water |
Created by:
llinares
Popular Earth Science sets