Earth's Spheres Test Review Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for reviewing key concepts related to Earth's Spheres, including atmosphere, heat transfer, air movement, hydrosphere, weathering, erosion, the water cycle, and groundwater.

Atmosphere

A mixture of chemical elements and compounds, otherwise known as air.

What does the atmosphere do for life on Earth?

Helps us to moderate global temperatures

Heat transfer

The movement of thermal energy from one object or substance to another.

Conduction

Transfer of heat through direct contact between substances.

Convection

The transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (i.e. liquids or gases)

Radiation

The transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves (e.g. infrared radiation).

Weathering

The breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces, called sediments.

Chemical weathering

The breakdown of rocks and minerals into smaller pieces by chemical actions, changing chemical composition.

Physical weathering

The breakdown of rocks and minerals into smaller pieces without a change in chemical composition.

Erosion

The process where sediments are transported by wind, gravity, glaciers, and running water.

Evaporation

Transformation of liquid water into water vapor.

Precipitation

The fall of water from the sky.

Runoff

The movement of water from high to low elevations.

Infiltration

Water that moves from Earth's surface into the ground.

Absorption

Water in soil is taken up by plants.

Transpiration

The evaporation of water out of the leaves of plants.

Zone of saturation

Porous rock saturated with groundwater.

Zone of aeration

Porous rock/soil not saturated with groundwater.

Capillary action

The force that draws water up into tiny spaces