Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Environmental Science
Chapter 3 - The Dynamic Earth
38
Science
12th Grade
10/05/2013

Additional Science Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
geosphere
Definition
the solid part of the Earth that consists of all rock, as well as the soils and loose rocks on the Earth's surface
Term
crust
Definition
Earth's thin outer layer composed almost entirely of light elements
Term
mantle
Definition
the layer beneath the crust, makes up 64 percent of the mass of the Earth. It is approximately 2900 km thick and is made of rocks of medium density
Term
core
Definition
Earth's innermost layer composed of the densest elements.
Term
lithosphere
Definition
Earth's outer layer - a cool rigid layer, 15km to 300km thick, that includes the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. It is divided into huge pieces called tectonic plates
Term
asthenosphere
Definition
the layer beneath the lithosphere - a plastic, solid layer of the mantle made of rock tha flows very slowly and allows the tectonic plates to move on top of it
Term
mesophere
Definition
the lower part of the mantle
Term
outer core
Definition
the outer shell of the Earth's core amde of liquid nickel and iron
Term
inner core
Definition
a sphere of solid nickel and iron at the center of the earth
Term
compositional layers
Definition
crust, mantle, core
Term
physical layers
Definition
lithosphere, asthenosphere, mesosphere, outer core, inner core
Term
tectonic plates
Definition
pieces of the lithosphere that glide acreoos the underlying asthenosphere in much the same way as a chunk of ice drifts across a pond
Term
fault
Definition
a break in the Earth's crust along which blocks of the crust slide relative to one another
Term
Where do Earthquakes occur?
Definition
at or near tectonic plate boundaries
Term
erosion
Definition
removal and transport of surface material
Term
atmosphere
Definition
the mixture of gases that surround the earth
Term
What 2 gases make up 99% of the earth's atmosphere?
Definition
nitrogen, oxygen
Term
troposphere
Definition
atmospheric layer nearest the Earth's surface
Term
stratosphere
Definition
above troposphere (temperatures rise as altitude increases because the ozone absorbs the sun's UV energy
Term
ozone
Definition
03, molecule made up of 3 oxygen atoms - almost all ozone is concentratred in the ozone layer of the stratosphere. ozone reduces the amount of UV radiation that reaches earth, it harms people and other organisms
Term
UV
Definition
ultraviolet
Term
radiation
Definition
transfer of energy across space and in the atmosphere
Term
Energy from the sun is transferred in the earth's atmosphere by what 3 mechanisms
Definition
radiation, conduction, convection
Term
conduction
Definition
the flow of heat from a warmer object to a colder object
Term
convection
Definition
transfer of air by air currents
Term
greenhouse effect
Definition
gases trap heat near the earth's surfaact
Term
water cycle
Definition
continuous movement of water into the air, onto land, and then back to water
Term
evaporation
Definition
liquid water is heated by the sun and then rises into the atmosphere as water vapor
Term
condensation
Definition
water vapor forms water droplets on dust particles, which form clouds, in which droplets collide, stick together, and create larger heavier droplets.
Term
precipitation
Definition
when droplets from clouds fall as rain, snow, sleet, hail
Term
salinity
Definition
concentration of dissolved salts in the ocean
Term
fresh water
Definition
a little more than 3% of the water on Earth is fresh water - most is locked in glaciers and icecaps, some in lakes, rivers, wetlands
Term
salinity
Definition
concentration of dissolved salts in the ocean
Term
fresh water
Definition
a little more than 3% of the water on Earth is fresh water - most is locked in glaciers and icecaps, some in lakes, rivers, wetlands
Term
aquifer
Definition
a rock layer that stores and allows the flow of ground water
Term
recharge zone
Definition
the surface of land where water enters an aquifer
Term
biosphere
Definition
narrow layer around the Earth's surface in which life can exist.
Term
closed system
Definition
energy enters and leaves the system but matter doesn not (Earth is a closed system)
Supporting users have an ad free experience!