ch.3.1/3.2 Terms- Env Sci

atoms

the basic units of matter

element

a chemical substance that can't be broken down into simpler substances

nucleus

central core of an atom; has protons and neutrons

molecule

a combination of two or more atoms joined by bonding

pH

a measure of how acidic or basic a solution is

Geosphere

Contains all of the soil/rock/minerals in the Earth.

Lithosphere

Outermost layer of the geosphere. Contains the tectonic plates.

Atmosphere

Layer of gases around Earth

Hydrosphere

All the water above and below Earth's surface

pH of 7

neutral

pH below 7

acidic

pH above 7

basic (alkaline)

Biosphere

consists of all life on earth

Compound

A substance made up of atoms of two or more different elements

Proton

positively charged particle

Neutron

A particle in the nucleus of the atom, with no electrical charge

Electron

negatively charged particle, responsible for atomic bonding

covalent bond

A chemical bond that involves SHARING a pair of electrons between atoms in a molecule

ionic bond

A type of bond formed when one or more electrons are TRANSFERRED from one atom to another

Matter

Anything that has mass and takes up space

Macromolecules

Very large organic molecules essential for life

negative feedback loop

A feedback loop in which a system responds to a change by returning to its original state; creates balance in the environment

positive feedback loop

Causes a system to change further in the same direction; creates imbalance or throws a system "out of wack"

Cohesion

the sticking together of particles of the same substance.