Vocab
What is the outer core?
the outer layer of Earth’s core; surrounds the inner core and is made of liquid nickel and iron.
How do you think scientists know about Earth’s internal layers?
Scientists learn about Earth’s inside by studying how earthquake waves move through it. Different layers change the waves’ speed and direction.
What are the four main spheres of Earth?
atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere
What is plate tectonics?
Plate tectonics is the theory that Earth’s outer shell is divided into large plates that move.
How does the lithosphere relate to plate tectonics?
The lithosphere is divided into tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid mantle beneath and move due to plate tectonics.
What is the Inner Core?
the sphere of solid nickel and iron at the center of Earth surrounded by the liquid outer core.
What are the two different ways to categorize the layers of Earth?
By composition: crust, mantle, core, by physical properties: lithosphere, asthenosphere, mesosphere, outer core, inner core
How do the atmosphere and hydrosphere interact?
the atmosphere and hydrosphere interact through processes like evaporation, precipitation, and weather patterns.
What are the three main types of plate boundaries?
The three types are divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries.
In what ways can plate tectonics affect the biosphere?
Plate movements can cause earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain formation, which can destroy or create habitats for living organisms.
What is a Crust?
the thin, solid, outermost layer of Earth is either continental (landmasses) or oceanic (ocean floors).
Why is the inner core of Earth solid even though it is extremely hot?
The inner core is solid because the pressure is so high that it keeps the metal tightly packed, even though it’s very hot.
What role does the lithosphere play in Earth’s structure?
The lithosphere forms the solid outer layer of Earth, including the crust and upper mantle, and supports the continents and ocean floors.
What happens at a divergent boundary?
Plates move apart, and new crust forms as magma rises.
How does the movement of tectonic plates influence the atmosphere?
Volcanic eruptions from plate boundaries release gases and ash into the atmosphere, affecting air quality and climate.
What is a Mantle?
the solid layer of Earth between the crust and the core made of dense silicates.
Explain how the characteristics of Earth’s mantle allow the continental and oceanic plates to move on the crust.
Earth’s mantle is mostly solid but can slowly flow like thick liquid. This slow movement helps the plates on the crust to move and shift.
How does the biosphere depend on the other Earth spheres?
The biosphere depends on the atmosphere for air, the hydrosphere for water, and the lithosphere for nutrients and habitat.
What occurs at a convergent boundary?
Plates move toward each other, causing one to sink or form mountains.
What impact do earthquakes have on the hydrosphere?
Earthquakes can trigger tsunamis and change the flow of rivers, affecting the water systems in the hydrosphere.
What is a Convection?
heat transfer caused by the rising of hotter, less dense fluids and the falling of cooler, denser fluids.
What two reasons are listed for why Earth may have a magnetic field?
Earth may have a magnetic field because of the movement of molten metal in the outer core and the planet’s rotation.
What happens at the boundaries between different Earth spheres?
At the boundaries, energy and matter transfer occur, leading to interactions like erosion, volcanic eruptions, or storms.
What is a transform boundary?
Plates slide past each other, causing earthquakes.
How do volcanic eruptions show the interaction between the lithosphere and atmosphere?
Volcanic eruptions release gases and ash from the lithosphere into the atmosphere, influencing weather and air composition.