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.