Earth Sciences 2024

Lithosphere

Outermost layer of the earth, part of the earth’s crust.

Atmosphere

Thin layer of gases that maintains and sustains life on Earth.

Hydrosphere

All of the earth’s water.

Biosphere

All living things on Earth.

Geological carbon cycle

Long cycle resulting in carbon being locked in rocks, such as fossil fuels.

Biological/physical carbon cycle

Short cycle where carbon cycles through photosynthesis and cellular respiration.

Photosynthesis

Process where plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and release oxygen.

Respiration

Process where plants and animals consume oxygen and organic matter to produce energy, releasing CO2.

Decomposition

Breakdown of dead organisms, releasing CO2 into the soil and atmosphere.

Combustion

Burning of fossil fuels that releases stored carbon as CO2.

Ocean-atmosphere exchange

Process where CO2 is exchanged between oceans and the atmosphere.

Sedimentation and burial

Long-term storage of organic carbon in sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels.

Infrared

Longer wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum that can penetrate the earth’s atmosphere.

Visible light

Middle wavelengths that penetrate the earth’s atmosphere and are absorbed by the earth's surface.

Ultraviolet

Shorter wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, with up to 10% penetrating the earth’s atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, including CO2, CH4, nitrous oxide, water vapor, and ozone.

Short wavelengths

Wavelengths that are shorter, have higher frequency, and higher energy.

Long wavelengths

Wavelengths that are longer, have lower frequency, and lower energy.

Natural greenhouse effect

Process where the sun's light is absorbed and re-radiated as infrared radiation, trapping heat in the atmosphere.

Enhanced greenhouse effect

Increased trapping of heat due to higher concentrations of greenhouse gases from human activities.

Weather

Conditions in the lower part of the atmosphere at a given time or place.

Climate

Average weather conditions in a particular region over an extended period.

Global warming

Increase in the earth’s temperature due to human-made gases.

Climate change

Change in global or regional climate patterns.

Carbon dioxide equilibrium

Unbalanced carbon cycle due to increased CO2, leading to heat trapping in the atmosphere.

Biodiversity loss

Disruption of species distribution and numbers due to climate change, leading to possible extinction.

Agriculture impact

Increased drought and disrupted rainfall affecting crop yield due to rising temperatures.

Rising sea levels

Melting ice sheets and thermal expansion of water causing higher sea levels.

Natural disasters

Increase in extreme weather events, including more intense cyclones and destructive flooding.