Earth's Processes
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
Quantity that represents the rate at which an object covers distance.
s _ _ _ _
speed
The smallest particle of matter made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
a _ _ _ _
atoms
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
The chemical process in which carbon dioxide and water combine, using energy from the Sun, to make sugar and oxygen.
p _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
photosynthesis
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
Quantity that describes both the speed and the direction of motion of an object.
v _ _ _ _ _ _ _
velocity
A measurement of how much mass is in a certain volume.
d _ _ _ _ _ _
density
A natural resource that is replenished by natural processes at a rate comparable to its rate of consumption.
r _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ r _ _ _ _ _ _ _
renewable resource
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
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
Path that can allow electricity to flow, if closed.
c _ _ _ _ _ _
circuit
More than one atom combined to form a substance (e.g., oxygen – O2).
m _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
molecules
A resource that will not return, or renew, or will only return after a long period of time.
n _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ r _ _ _ _ _ _ _
nonrenewable resource
Process or reaction that absorbs energy from its surroundings.
e _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ reaction
endothermic reaction
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
Materials that electricity can easily flow through.
c _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
conductor
Substances that are combined to form products in a chemical reaction.
r _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
reactants
Prevention of wasteful use or protection of natural resources.
c _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
conservation
Process or reaction that releases energy, usually in the form of heat, to its surroundings.
e _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ reaction
exothermic reaction
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
Materials that electricity cannot easily flow through.
i _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
insulator
A chemical that makes a chemical reaction happen faster.
c _ _ _ _ _ _ _
catalyst
Substances that are not produced by nature but rather are made by humans using natural materials.
s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ m _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
synthetic materials
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