Ch. 3 Key Terms

Question 1

geosphere

Answer 1

The solid part of Earth that consists of all rock, as well as the soils and loose rocks on Earth’s surface.

Question 2

hydrosphere

Answer 2

Makes up all of the water on or near Earth’s surface.

Question 3

crust

Answer 3

A thin layer composed almost entirely of light elements. It is Earth’s thinnest layer.

Question 4

mantle

Answer 4

The layer beneath the crust, makes up 68% of the mass of Earth.

Question 5

core

Answer 5

The innermost layer is composed of the elements having the greatest density.

Question 6

lithosphere

Answer 6

Earth’s outer layer is cool, rigid and includes the crust and uppermost part of the mantle.

Question 7

asthenosphere

Answer 7

The layer beneath the lithosphere is a pliable, solid layer of the mantle made of rock that flows very slowly and allows tectonic plates to move on top of it.

Question 8

tectonic plate

Answer 8

They glide across the underlying asthenosphere in much the same way a chunk of ice drifts across a pond.

Question 9

chemical weathering

Answer 9

Wears down rocks, making them smoother as time passes.

Question 10

erosion

Answer 10

Transports the materials after weathering elsewhere.

Question 11

atmosphere

Answer 11

The surrounding mixture of gases including nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, ect. on Earth.

Question 12

troposphere

Answer 12

The layer nearest to Earth’s surface, extends to about 18km above Earth’s surface and this is where almost all weather occurs.

Question 13

stratosphere

Answer 13

Above the troposphere is extends from about 18km to 50km and absorbs the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) energy and warms the air.

Question 14

ozone

Answer 14

O3, is a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms, and reduces the amount of harmful UV radiation that reaches Earth.

Question 15

radiation

Answer 15

The transfer of energy as electromagnetic waves.

Question 16

conduction

Answer 16

The transfer of energy in the form of physical contact.

Question 17

convection

Answer 17

The transfer of energy when variations in temperature move the matter making up the air.

Question 18

greenhouse effect

Answer 18

The process which greenhouse gases absorb and reradiate infrared radiation near the Earth.

Question 19

water cycle

Answer 19

The continuous movement of water into the air, onto land, and then back to water sources.

Question 20

evaporation

Answer 20

The process by which liquid water is heated by the sun and then rises into the atmosphere as water vapor.

Question 21

condensation

Answer 21

The process which water vapor forms droplets on dust particles which then form clouds.

Question 22

precipitiation

Answer 22

Droplets continue to get larger which they fall from clouds as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

Question 23

salinity

Answer 23

The concentration of all the dissolved salts within an ocean.

Question 24

fresh water

Answer 24

Approximately 3% of all water on Earth is fresh water, does not contain salt.

Question 25

biosphere

Answer 25

The narrow layer around Earth’s surface in which life can exist.