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Big Idea 7
Earth Systems and Patterns
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Geosphere | All the solid parts of Earth, including rocks, soil, mountains, and Earth’s layers (crust, mantle, and core). Example: Volcanoes and tectonic plates |
| Hydrosphere | All the water on Earth in liquid form, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Example: The Atlantic Ocean |
| Cryosphere | The frozen water on Earth, including glaciers, ice caps, sea ice, and snow. Example: Antarctica’s ice sheet |
| Atmosphere | The layer of gases surrounding Earth. It contains oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases needed for life and weather. |
| Biosphere | All living things on Earth and the environments where they live. Example: Plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria |
| Water Cycle | The continuous movement of water between Earth’s surface and the atmosphere through processes like evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. |
| Evaporation | The process where liquid water changes into water vapor (gas) because of heat from the Sun. Example: A puddle drying up. |
| Condensation | The process where water vapor cools and changes into liquid water droplets. Example: Clouds forming in the sky. |
| Transportation | The movement of water, sediment, or materials from one place to another by wind, water, or ice. Example: Rivers carrying sand downstream. |
| Precipitation | Any form of water that falls from clouds to Earth’s surface. Examples: Rain, snow, sleet, and hail. |
| Infiltration | The process of water soaking into the ground. |
| Collection | Water gathering in oceans, lakes, rivers, or underground after precipitation. |
| Groundwater | Water found beneath Earth’s surface in the spaces between soil, sand, and rocks. Stored in aquifers and can be used for drinking water through wells. |
| Water table | The upper surface of groundwater; the point below Earth’s surface where the ground is completely saturated with water. Can rise after heavy rain and fall during droughts. |
| Aquifer | An underground layer of rock or sediment that stores groundwater. Example: Wells often pump water from "____" |
| Sea level | The average height of the ocean’s surface, used as a reference point for measuring elevation. Can change because of melting ice and changes in ocean temperature. |
| Radiation | The transfer of heat energy through waves without direct contact. Example: The Sun warming Earth. |
| Specific Heat | The amount of energy needed to change the temperature of a substance. Water has a high "____", meaning it heats and cools more slowly than land. Example: Beaches are cooler during the day and warmer at night than inland areas. |
| Atmospheric circulation | The large-scale movement of air around Earth that distributes heat and moisture. |
| Wind | The movement of air from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. |
| Air (atmospheric) pressure | The force of air pressing down on Earth’s surface. |
| Convection | The transfer of heat through the movement of liquids or gases. Warm material rises and cool material sinks. |
| Convection currents | Circular movements caused by convection that transfer heat. Example: Warm air rising and cool air sinking in the atmosphere. |
| Land breeze | Wind that blows from land toward the sea at night because land cools faster than water. |
| Sea breeze | Wind that blows from the sea toward land during the day because land heats faster than water. |
| Coriolis Effect | The apparent curved path of moving air and water caused by Earth’s rotation. Example: Hurricanes spin because of "____" |
| Trade winds | Steady winds that blow toward the equator from the northeast and southeast. Sailors once used them for ocean travel. |
| Jet stream | A fast-moving current of air high in the atmosphere that influences weather patterns. |
| Climate | The long-term average weather conditions of an area over many years. Example: Florida has a warm, humid "____" |
| Weather | The short-term condition of the atmosphere at a specific place and time. Examples: Rain, temperature, humidity, and wind. |
| Ozone layer | A layer in the atmosphere that absorbs most harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun. |
| Troposphere | The lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere where weather occurs and where humans live. |
| Greenhouse effect | The process in which gases in Earth’s atmosphere trap heat, keeping Earth warm enough for life. |
| Greenhouse gas | A gas in the atmosphere that traps heat and contributes to the greenhouse effect. Include carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor. Too much can can cause global temperatures to rise. |
| Climate change | Long-term changes in Earth’s climate, including temperature, precipitation, and weather patterns. Human activities such as burning fossil fuels are a major contributer. |
| Global warming | The increase in Earth’s average temperature caused mainly by an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. |
| Sea level rise | An increase in the average level of Earth’s oceans caused by melting glaciers/ice sheets and the expansion of warmer ocean water. |
| Hurricane | A large, powerful tropical storm that forms over warm ocean water with strong winds, heavy rain, and low pressure. Rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. |
| Tropical cyclone | A rotating storm system that forms over warm tropical oceans. Hurricanes and typhoons are types of "____". |
| Tornado | A violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground. Can produce extremely strong winds and cause severe damage. |
| Lightning | A sudden electrical discharge in the atmosphere caused by the buildup of electrical charges in clouds. Produces bright flashes and thunder. |
| Runoff | Water that flows over Earth’s surface instead of soaking into the ground. Can carry pollution and/or sediment with it. Example: Rainwater flowing into storm drains. |
| Conduction | The transfer of heat through direct contact between materials. Example: Sand heating your feet on a hot day. |
Created by:
Ms. Wilhjelm
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