Earth Systems Review (Page 1) - Key Terms and Concepts

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the key terms, concepts, processes, and events from the Page 1 notes on Earth's spheres, their interactions, and notable natural events.

Atmosphere

The layer of gases surrounding Earth, primarily nitrogen and oxygen.

Lithosphere

Earth’s rocky outer layer, including the crust and upper mantle.

Hydrosphere

All water on, over, or under Earth's surface.

Cryosphere

The part of the hydrosphere where water is frozen.

Biosphere

All living things on Earth, including plants, animals, and bacteria.

Carbon dioxide

A colorless gas (CO2) produced by respiration and combustion; a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere.

Clouds

Visible masses of condensed water droplets suspended in the atmosphere.

Mist

Fine droplets of water suspended in the air, typically near the ground.

Rain

Precipitation in the form of liquid water droplets that fall to Earth's surface.

Water vapour

Water in gaseous form present in the atmosphere.

Nitrogen

A major component of Earth's atmosphere (N2); an inert diatomic gas.

Oxygen

A major atmospheric gas (O2) essential for respiration.

Basalt

A dark, fine-grained igneous rock typical of oceanic crust; part of the lithosphere.

Granite

A light-colored, coarse-grained igneous rock common in continental crust; part of the lithosphere.

Continent

A large landmass forming part of Earth's lithosphere.

Mountain

A raised area of the Earth's crust, often rugged and tall.

Rocks

Solid mineral material forming part of the lithosphere; an aggregate of minerals.

Sand

Fine granular material composed of small rock or mineral grains; part of the lithosphere.

Silicon

A chemical element (Si) that is a major component of rocks and minerals; essential in electronics.

Soil

A mixture of mineral particles, organic matter, air, and water at Earth's surface.

Glacier

A large, slow-moving mass of ice formed from compacted snow; part of the cryosphere.

Ice

Solid form of water.

Ice cap

A large cap of ice covering land and/or sea; persistent in polar areas.

Sea ice (pack ice)

Frozen seawater that forms on the ocean; typically seasonal.

Ocean

A vast body of saltwater covering most of Earth’s surface.

Lake

A large inland body of freshwater.

River

A natural flowing watercourse that moves water toward oceans, seas, or lakes.

Groundwater

Water stored underground in soil and rock pores.

Water table

The upper surface of the zone of saturation in the ground; boundary of groundwater.

Water

The liquid H2O; essential for life and covers much of Earth’s surface.

Dew

Tiny droplets of water formed by condensation on surfaces when air cools.

Evaporation

The process of a liquid turning into a gas, typically from bodies of water to the atmosphere.

Deposition

The laying down of sediments, soil, and rocks in new locations.

Erosion

The wearing away of the Earth's surface by wind, water, or ice.

Weathering

The breaking down of rocks and minerals into smaller pieces by physical or chemical processes.

Photosynthesis

Plants converting light energy into chemical energy, producing glucose and releasing oxygen.

Respiration

Organisms releasing energy from sugars, producing carbon dioxide and water.

Greenhouse effect

Warming of Earth's surface due to increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Australian Bushfires (2019-2020)

Season of widespread fires destroying the biosphere; releasing ash and smoke into the atmosphere; driven by dry conditions in the lithosphere and a hotter, drier atmosphere.

Kimberley cyclone

A cyclone that forms over warm ocean water, gaining energy from heat and moisture, causing high winds and heavy rain; erosion of the lithosphere and habitat loss in the biosphere.