Science - 5.8 Earth's Changes

[5.8] What are the four major systems, or spheres, of Earth?

Atmosphere, geosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere.

[5.8] What is the atmosphere?

The air surrounding Earth.

[5.8] What is the geosphere?

The solid parts of Earth.

[5.8] What is the biosphere?

The living organisms on Earth.

[5.8] What is the hydrosphere?

Earth's water.

[5.8] What are Earth's four main layers?

Crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core.

[5.8] What are the two outer layers of Earth primarily made of?

Rocky material.

[5.8] What are the two innermost layers primarily made of?

Iron and nickel.

[5.8] What happens to pressure and temperature as depth beneath Earth's surface increases?

Both increase.

[5.8] What causes movement of material within Earth?

Earth's thermal energy.

[5.8] What is plate tectonics?

The movement of large plates across Earth's surface.

[5.8] What drives the movement of Earth's plates?

Thermal energy.

[5.8] Where do most earthquakes and volcanoes occur?

At plate boundaries, or faults.

[5.8] What is a convergent boundary?

A boundary where plates move toward each other.

[5.8] What is a divergent boundary?

A boundary where plates move apart from each other.

[5.8] What is a transform boundary?

A boundary where plates slip past each other horizontally.

[5.8] What geological features can plate movement create?

Trenches, mid

[5.8] What is the rock cycle?

The continuous process in which rocks change from one type to another.

[5.8] What are the three main types of rock?

Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.

[5.8] How does igneous rock form?

When melted rock cools.

[5.8] How does sedimentary rock form?

When layers of sediment are deposited and cemented together.

[5.8] How does metamorphic rock form?

When existing rock is changed by heat and pressure.

[5.8] What is weathering?

The breaking down of rocks and other materials at Earth's surface.

[5.8] What are two types of weathering?

Physical and chemical weathering.

[5.8] What is erosion?

The movement of weathered materials by water or wind.

[5.8] What is deposition?

When sediments are deposited in a new location.

[5.8] What can fossils tell scientists?

Information about life and environmental conditions in the past.