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Chapter 1 Es
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| system | a group of parts that work together as a whole. |
| energy | the ability to do work or to cause change. |
| atmosphere | a relatively thin layer of gases that form Earth's outermost layer. |
| geosphere | the densest parts of the Earth that include the crust, mantle, and core. |
| hydrosphere | the portion of Earth hat consists of water including any of its forms, including oceans, glaciers, rivers, lakes, ground water, and water vapor. |
| biosphere | the parts of Earth that contain living organisms. |
| constructive force | any natural process that builds up the Earth's surface. |
| destructive force | any natural process that tears down or wears away the Earth's surface. |
| seismic wave | vibrations that travel through Earth carrying the energy released during an earthquake. |
| pressure | the force pushing on a surface divided by the area of that surface. |
| crust | the layer of rock that forms Earth's outer surface. |
| basalt | a dark, dense, igneous rock with a fine texture, found in oceanic crust. |
| granite | a usually light colored igneous rock that is found in continental crust. |
| mantle | the layer of hot, solid material between Earth's crust and core. |
| lithosphere | a rigid layer made up of the uppermost part of the mantle and the crust. |
| asthenosphere | the soft layer of the mantle on which the lithosphere floats. |
| outer core | a layer of molten iron and nickel that surrounds the inner core of Earth. |
| inner core | a dense sphere of solid iron and nickel at the center of the Earth. |
| radiation | the transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves. |
| convection | the transfer of thermal energy by the movement of a fluid. |
| conduction | the transfer of thermal energy from one particle of matter to another. a method of charging an object by allowing electrons to flow from one object to another object through direct contact. |
| density | The ratio of the mass of a substance to it's volume ( mass divided by volume). |
| convection current | the movement of a fluid, caused by differences in temperature, that transfers heat from one part of the fluid to another. |