Vocabulary
What is the term for molten rock that is found beneath the Earth's surface?
Magma
What is a system?
a group of smaller parts that work together to perform a function
Where does energy come from that drives the processes on Earth?
the Sun
What is the cycle called that describes how water moves through the environment?
the water cycle
What are two benefits of systems?
organization of processes and support for life
What is the process called when water falls from the sky?
Precipitation
Describe the role of the Atmosphere in Earth's systems.
provides air and weather patterns, creates clouds that produce rain, provides oxygen and CO2
What process allows plants to convert sunlight into energy?
photosynthesis
What is erosion?
the process by which soil and rock are removed from the Earth's surface
What is one challenge that can occur with systems?
a system can be broken by small changes
Name the four ecospheres.
Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Biosphere, and Geosphere
How do the Hydrosphere and Geosphere interact?
through processes like erosion and sedimentation
How does energy flow from plants to animals?
the food chain
What is the Rain Shadow Effect?
when one side of a mountain gets rain and the other side remains dry
How does energy flow through the ecospheres?
through processes like photosynthesis and the food web
What is the term for the movement of water from the ground back into the atmosphere?
Evaporation
What is an example of a human-made system?
500: Why is it important to understand the interactions between the ecospheres?
Answer: What is to see how changes in one sphere affect the others?
school or family
What happens to energy when it is transferred from one living thing to another?
it diminishes
Describe the process of weathering.
breakdown of rocks and soil into smaller pieces
What would happen if there were no systems in nature?
chaos and disorder
What do we call the large slabs of Earth's crust that move over time?
Tectonic plates
Why is it important to understand the interactions between the ecospheres?
to see how changes in one sphere affect the others and to understand how the Earth functions and is able to sustain life
What is an example of a physical change due to energy flow?
water changing from liquid to vapor
Name one example of a chemical change in the ecospheres.
the process of photosynthesis
Why is it important to study how these systems function together?
to understand the balance of life on Earth