Earth's Processes
Flow of Energy
Chemistry and Matter
Human Impact
Mix
100

The process by which soil, rock, or other particles are gradually worn away, transported, and displaced by natural forces such as water, wind, ice, or gravity.

e _ _ _ _ _ _ 

erosion

100

Quantity that represents the rate at which an object covers distance.

s _ _ _ _ 

speed

100

The smallest particle of matter made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. 

a _ _ _ _

atoms

100

Materials or substances such as minerals, forests, water, and fertile land that occur in nature and are necessary or useful to humans. 

n _ _ _ _ _ _   r _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

natural resources

100

The chemical process in which carbon dioxide and water combine, using energy from the Sun, to make sugar and oxygen. 

p _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

photosynthesis

200

The process of breaking down rocks, minerals, and soils into smaller particles through various physical, chemical, or biological mechanisms. This natural process occurs over time due to exposure to environmental factors.

w _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  

weathering

200

Quantity that describes both the speed and the direction of motion of an object.

v _ _ _ _ _ _ _

velocity

200

A measurement of how much mass is in a certain volume.

d _ _ _ _ _ _

density

200

A natural resource that is replenished by natural processes at a rate comparable to its rate of consumption. 

r _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _    r _ _ _ _ _ _ _

renewable resource

200

Chemical process in which stored energy is broken down so it can be used by an organism to survive when there is no food source available.

c _ _ _ _ _ _ _   r _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

cellular respiration

300

Large, rigid pieces of Earth's lithosphere, which is the outer shell of the Earth composed of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle.

t _ _ _ _ _ _ _   p _ _ _ _ _ 

tectonic plates

300

Path that can allow electricity to flow, if closed.

c _ _ _ _ _ _  

circuit

300

More than one atom combined to form a substance (e.g., oxygen – O2). 

m _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

molecules

300

A resource that will not return, or renew, or will only return after a long period of time.

n _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _   r _ _ _ _ _ _ _

nonrenewable resource

300

Process or reaction that absorbs energy from its surroundings. 

e _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _   reaction

endothermic reaction

400

The theory that Earth's continents were once joined together in a single supercontinent called Pangaea, and over time, they have gradually drifted apart to their current positions on the planet's surface. This movement is driven by the slow motion of tectonic plates beneath the Earth's crust.

c _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _    d _ _ _ _  

continental drift

400

Materials that electricity can easily flow through.

c _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

conductor

400

Substances that are combined to form products in a chemical reaction. 

r _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

reactants

400

Prevention of wasteful use or protection of natural resources. 

c _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

conservation

400

Process or reaction that releases energy, usually in the form of heat, to its surroundings.

e _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _   reaction

exothermic reaction

500

Rock that forms when melted rock (magma or lava) cools and becomes solid.

Formed when layers of tiny particles, like sand, mud, and shells, get pressed and stuck together over a very long time.

Forms when existing rocks, are squeezed and heated deep within the Earth.

igneous

sedimentary

metamorphic


500

Materials that electricity cannot easily flow through.

i _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

insulator

500

A chemical that makes a chemical reaction happen faster.

c _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

catalyst

500

Substances that are not produced by nature but rather are made by humans using natural materials. 

s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _   m _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

synthetic materials

500

Greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, land use changes, industrial processes, natural factors, changes in ocean currents and temperatures, human population growth, feedback loops, and natural climate variability are all key factors contributing to this. 

_______________   _________________

climate change

M
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