7.2B Rock Cycle Lesson 5

system

a group of related parts that make up a whole and can carry out functions its individual parts cannot.

system model

a model that shows all of the parts and how they work together. It shows the inputs to the system, the outputs to the system, and the boundary of the system. It shows the flow of energy or matter through the system.

input

what goes into the system

output

what comes out of the system

components

the parts of the system (these should be important to understanding how the system works)

boundary

what separates the inside from the outside of the system (so that we can focus on that important part)

weathering

the breaking down of rocks and minerals on the earth's surface by chemical, physical, or biological processes.

erosion

when wind or water moves rock or soil from one place to another

deposition

sediments settle out of a moving air or water and are added to a surface feature, like a beach or shoreline at the mouth of a river

barrier island

a low, narrow, sandy island that develops just off the coast

catastrophic change

sudden, large change to a system that is considered "catastrophic". These changes are easy to observe, and may cause permanent changes to the system (e.g., flooding during a hurricane, landslide caused by heavy rains).

gradual change

small change to a system that is considered "gradual". These changes may not be visible until many years have passed (e.g., weathering of rocks, beach erosion).