Earth Science (Earth's Sphere, Rocks and Minerals, Layers of Atmosphere)

Lithosphere

solid, outer part of the Earth

Hydrosphere

total amount of water in a planet

• includes water that is on the surface of the planet, underground, and in the air

Atmosphere

layers of gases surrounding a planet or other material body that is held in place by the gravity of that body

Biosphere

where life exists

Saltwater

97% of water

Freshwater

3% of water

78%

nitrogen in atmosphere

21%

oxygen in atmosphere

Igneous Rock

formed from cooling of magma (lava)

aka magmatic rock

Sedimentary Rocks

formed from pre-existing rocks or pieces of once living organisms

Metamorphic Rocks

formed through alteration of preexisting rocks in response to changing environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure, and mechanical stress, addition or subtraction of chemical components)

Weathering

breakdown of rocks at the earth’s surface by action of rainwater, extremes of temperature, and biological activity

Erosion

earther materials are worn aways and transported by natural forces (e.g., water, wind)L

Lithification

process where unconsolidated materials are converted into coherent solid rock by compaction or cementation

Meteorology

concerned with the processes and phenomena of the atmosphere

Weather

state of the atmosphere with respect to wind, temperature, cloudiness, moisture, pressure, etc.

short-term

Climate

long term (min: 30 years) and average weather conditions for a specific region

Troposphere

layer of atmosphere closest to the Earth’s surface

• 10-15 km

• 75% of atmosphere’s mass

• wider at the equator than at the poles

Stratosphere

• directly above the troposphere

• 35 km deep

• warmer at the top

Mesosphere

cold layer

• temperature generally decreases with increasing altitude

• 50-80 km

Thermosphere

temperature is hot

• receive extraordinary large amounts of energy from the sun

Exosphere

most external layer

• least known

• temperature exceeds 2000 degree C