Earth's Systems
layer of gas surrounding the planet Earth, held in place by gravity
atmosphere
Created from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava
Igneous
The settling out of sediments.
Deposition
A change that involves one substance being pulled apart or combined with another substance to form a completely different substance.
Chemical Change
When the Earth's rocks change from one type into another over time due to various Earth processes.
Rock Cycle
The total amount of water on the planet: lakes, rivers, streams, oceans, groundwater, etc...
hydrosphere
Existing rock that is subjected to very high heat and pressure.
Metamorphic
Compaction and Cementation
A change to a substance that occurs without forming a new substance.
Physical Change
Water from precipitation that drains into a gully that flows into a stream which in turn flows into a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, or the ocean.
surface water
Solid Earth made of rocks and minerals that exist ono the surface and interior.
geosphere
Created from deposition, compaction, and cementation of sediments in layers over time.
Sedimentary
Pumice, obsidian, granite
Igneous
The formation of highly ordered solid structures from particles in a solution
Crystallization
A group of interconnecting or interdependent elements forming a complex whole
System
The place where life exists in all forms on Earth including plants, animals, and bacteria.
Biosphere
The creation of smaller pieces of rocks through physical or chemical means.
Weathering
Shale, Sandstone, Conglomerate
Sedimentary
The ability to do work in a system
Energy
Circular movement of fluids caused by the rising of hotter, less dense fluid and the falling of cooler, more dense fluid.
Convection Current
The moving of weathered products from their original position.
Erosion
Metamorphic
Water that collects in cracks and pores in underground soil and rock layers.
Groundwater
A depression of Earth's surface in which an ocean lies.
Ocean Basin