SOL 5.8 & 5.9 Earth's Surface and Earth's Resources Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering Virginia SOL 5.8 (Earth's Surface, Plate Tectonics, Rock Cycle, Weathering/Erosion) and SOL 5.9 (Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy Resources and Energy Conservation).

Earth System

A set of interrelated parts that make up a unified whole, seamlessly connected through the flow of matter and energy.

Atmosphere

The component of the Earth system consisting of air.

Geosphere

The component of the Earth system consisting of the solid Earth.

Biosphere

The component of the Earth system consisting of living organisms.

Hydrosphere

The component of the Earth system consisting of water.

Crust and Mantle

The outer two concentric layers of Earth, which are composed primarily of rocky material.

Outer Core and Inner Core

The innermost layers of Earth, which are composed mostly of iron and nickel.

Tectonic Plates

Large continent-size sections of Earth's crust that move slowly across Earth's surface, driven by internal thermal energy.

Convergent Boundaries

Plate boundaries where tectonic plates move toward each other.

Divergent Boundaries

Plate boundaries where tectonic plates move apart from each other.

Transform Boundaries

Plate boundaries where tectonic plates slip past each other horizontally.

Sedimentary Rock

A type of rock formed from layers of sediment cemented together.

Igneous Rock

A type of rock formed when melted rock (magma) cools and crystallizes.

Metamorphic Rock

A type of rock formed when existing rock is changed by heat and pressure inside Earth.

Weathering

The chemical or physical process by which rocks and materials on Earth's surface are broken down into clay, sand, rock fragments, and soluble substances.

Erosion

The movement of surface materials from one location to another by wind and water.

Deposition

The process by which materials moved by water and wind are dropped or laid down in new locations as sediment.

Fossils

Preserved remains or traces found in rock layers that provide information about life and conditions in the past.

Nonrenewable Energy Sources

Natural resources that cannot be replaced after they are used because they require millions of years to form.

Fossil Fuels

Nonrenewable energy sources formed over millions of years, including petroleum, coal, and natural gas.

Renewable Energy Sources

Energy resources that are replaced naturally and can be used repeatedly, such as wind energy, water behind dams, and sunlight.

Energy Conservation

Practices and actions by individuals and communities to reduce energy consumption, such as turning off devices, taking shorter hot showers, adjusting thermostats, and walking or biking.