3rd Quarter Vocabulary - Earth Science - 7th Grade

Solution

A mixture where one substance is completely dissolved in another.

Lunar Phases

The different shapes of the Moon we see during the month.

Waxing

When the Moon looks like it’s getting bigger.

Waning

When the Moon looks like it’s getting smaller.

Gibbous

When the Moon looks more than half full, but not completely full.

Crescent

When the Moon looks like a tiny sliver, it is less than half full.

Tide

The rise and fall of the ocean caused by the Moon’s gravity.

Eclipse

When one object in space blocks the light from another.

Earth's Tilt

The way Earth leans on its side, causing the seasons.

Revolution

One full trip around something, like Earth going around the Sun.

Rotation

When something spins, like Earth turning on its axis.

Axis

The imaginary line Earth spins around.

Seasons

The four parts of the year caused by Earth’s tilt.

Equator

The imaginary line around the middle of Earth.

Indirect/Direct Rays

Direct rays hit Earth straight on (warmer); indirect rays hit at an angle (cooler).

Ecosystem

A community of living and nonliving things that work together.

Hydrologic Cycle

The movement of water through the air, land, and sea.

Precipitation

Water that falls from the sky as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

Evaporation

When water turns into vapor and rises into the air.

Condensation

When water vapor cools and forms clouds.

Run-off

Water that flows over the ground into rivers and lakes.

Transpiration

When plants release water vapor into the air.

Watershed

An area of land where all the water drains to the same place.

Solar Energy

Energy that comes from the Sun.

Divide

A high area of land that separates two watersheds.

Reservoir

A lake that stores water for people to use.

Tributary

A smaller stream that flows into a larger river.

Infiltration

When water soaks into the ground.

Groundwater

Water that fills the spaces under Earth’s surface.

Porosity

How much empty space is in a rock or soil.

Water Table

The top level of groundwater in the soil.

Permeable

Allows water to pass through easily.

Impermeable

Does not let water pass through.

Aquifer

An underground layer that holds water.

Greenhouse Effect

When Earth’s air traps heat and keeps the planet warm.

Composition of Air

What air is made of: mostly nitrogen and oxygen.

Density

How tightly packed the matter in something is.

Ozone Layer

The part of the stratosphere that blocks harmful sunlight.

Weather

The day-to-day conditions outside (sunny, rainy, windy, etc.).

Climate

The usual weather in a place over a long time.

Salinity

How salty the ocean water is.

Gulf Stream

A warm ocean current that flows from the Gulf of Mexico across the Atlantic.

Thermal Energy

Energy from heat.

Temperature

How hot or cold something is.

Humidity

How much water vapor is in the air.

Air Pressure

The weight of air pressing down on Earth.

Currents

Flows of air or water moving in one direction.

Catastrophic Event

A very big natural disaster that causes damage.

Climate Change

Big, long-term changes in Earth’s weather patterns.

Fossil Fuel

Energy sources like coal, oil, or gas made from ancient plants and animals.

Energy

The ability to make things move or change.

Convection Current

Movement within a fluid caused by differences in heat and density, driving plate motion.