Earth's Spheres Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the outer layer of Earth called?

Core

Mantle

Geosphere

Crust (correct)

What is the layer of very hot but mostly solid rock below the crust?

Mantle

What is the part of Earth beneath the mantle?

Core

What is a large section of lithosphere that moves over Earth's surface?

Tectonic plate Signup and view all the answers

What do we call a mountain, island, continent, or other feature that forms above and beneath the ocean's surface?

Landform Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of depositing eroded soil at a new location called?

Deposition Signup and view all the answers

What is the conversion of a substance from a liquid to a gas?

Evaporation Signup and view all the answers

What is the release of water vapor through the leaves of plants called?

Transpiration Signup and view all the answers

What is water that returns from the atmosphere to Earth's surface called?

Precipitation Signup and view all the answers

What is the change in state from a gas to a liquid called?

Condensation Signup and view all the answers

What is a layer of rock and soil that holds water underground called?

Aquifer Signup and view all the answers

What do we call fresh water found underground?

Groundwater Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for all the rocks and minerals on or below Earth's surface?

Geosphere Signup and view all the answers

What are areas where molten rock pushes tectonic plates apart called?

Divergent plate boundaries Signup and view all the answers

What are areas where tectonic plates slip and grind alongside each other called?

Transform plate boundaries Signup and view all the answers

What are areas where tectonic plates move toward each other called?

Convergent plate boundaries Signup and view all the answers

What gas is made up of oxygen molecules that each have three oxygen atoms?

Ozone Signup and view all the answers

How do greenhouse gases affect our environment?

They keep Earth warm enough to support life. Signup and view all the answers

What is the upper limit of fresh water stored underground called?

Water table Signup and view all the answers

What percent of Earth's water is salt water in oceans and salt lakes?

97.5 percent Signup and view all the answers

What percent of Earth's water is fresh water, with three quarters of it as ice?

2.5 percent Signup and view all the answers

How much of Earth's fresh water can be used for drinking or watering crops?

0.5 percent Signup and view all the answers

Describe two human activities that can affect the water cycle.

Clearing plants from Earth's surface increases runoff, erosion, and evaporation, and decreases transpiration. Unrestrained use of fresh water for farming and industry depletes groundwater. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are characteristics of the geosphere? (Select all that apply)

Composed of rocks and minerals Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are characteristics of the atmosphere? (Select all that apply)

Keeps Earth warm enough to support life Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are characteristics of the biosphere? (Select all that apply)

Affects the composition of gases in the atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are characteristics of the hydrosphere? (Select all that apply)

Contains all of Earth's water Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Earth's Spheres

Crust: The outer layer of Earth, cool and rocky, present on land and beneath oceans.
Mantle: A hot, mostly solid rock layer beneath the crust, plays a role in plate tectonics.
Core: Earth's innermost part, located below the mantle, consists of iron and nickel.

Tectonic Plates and Landforms

Tectonic Plate: Large sections of the lithosphere that move on Earth's surface, influencing geological activity.
Landform: Features like mountains, islands, and continents created above and below sea level.
Divergent Plate Boundaries: Locations where molten rock forces tectonic plates apart.
Transform Plate Boundaries: Areas where tectonic plates slide against each other.
Convergent Plate Boundaries: Zones where tectonic plates collide.

Water Cycle Processes

Deposition: Process where eroded soil is dropped at new locations.
Evaporation: Transition from liquid water to vapor, contributing to the water cycle.
Transpiration: Release of water vapor from plant leaves, part of the water cycle.
Precipitation: Water returning to Earth's surface from the atmosphere, including rain and snow.
Condensation: Change from gas to liquid, forming clouds in the atmosphere.

Water Resources

Aquifer: Underground layers of rock and soil that store usable water.
Groundwater: Fresh water located beneath Earth's surface.
Water Table: The highest level of underground fresh water.
Water Distribution: 97.5% of Earth's water is salt water; only 2.5% is fresh water, with a majority locked in ice.

Fresh Water Availability

Fresh Water Use: Only 0.5% of Earth's fresh water is accessible for drinking and irrigation.
Human Impact on Water Cycle: Clearing vegetation increases runoff and erosion, while excessive water use can deplete groundwater supplies.

Characteristics of Earth's Spheres

Geosphere: Comprises the crust, mantle, and core; includes rocks and minerals. Plate tectonics shape landforms and influence habitats.
Atmosphere: Contains essential gases like oxygen and ozone, acts as a protective layer, and regulates Earth's temperature.
Biosphere: Encompasses living organisms, influencing atmospheric gas composition through respiration and photosynthesis.
Hydrosphere: Consists of all water on Earth, including oceans, lakes, and atmospheric moisture; facilitates water cycling across other spheres.

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Description

Test your knowledge of Earth's layers with these flashcards. Learn key terms such as crust, mantle, core, and tectonic plates. This quiz will help you understand the structure of our planet's geosphere.