Chemistry & Matter
The basic unit of matter that consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.
What is an atom?
This sphere consists of all the layers of gases surrounding our planet.
What is the atmosphere?
Circular movements of magma in the asthenosphere that drive the movement of tectonic plates.
What are convection currents?
The fundamental law stating that matter can be transformed, but cannot be created or destroyed.
What is the Law of Conservation of Matter?
A type of feedback loop that stabilizes a system, like body temperature regulation or predator-prey cycles.
What is a negative feedback loop?
Large organic compounds essential to life, including proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.
What are macromolecules?
The rigid outer layer of Earth made up of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle.
What is the lithosphere?
The type of plate boundary where rising magma pushes tectonic plates apart.
What is a divergent boundary?
Process by which plants release water vapor into the atmosphere through their leaves.
What is transpiration?
Soil removal by wind, water, ice, or gravity, which acts as a positive feedback loop.
What is erosion?
The chemical bond formed when atoms share electrons, such as in a water molecule (H2O).
What is a covalent bond?
The softer, hot layer of rock in the middle mantle upon which tectonic plates move.
What is the asthenosphere?
The process at a convergent boundary where one plate slides underneath another.
What is subduction?
The process in the carbon cycle where organisms use oxygen to release energy from sugars, releasing CO2 back into the atmosphere.
What is cellular respiration?
The primary gas in Earth's atmosphere, making up 78% of it by mass.
What is nitrogen?
Compounds like petroleum that contain only hydrogen and carbon atoms.
What are hydrocarbons?
Underground rock and soil layers that hold groundwater reservoirs.
What are aquifers?
The type of boundary where plates slip and grind alongside each other, such as the San Andreas Fault.
What is a transform boundary?
The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas into ammonia so it can be used by living organisms.
What is nitrogen fixation?
The chemical process plants use to pull carbon dioxide out of the air: 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + sunlight right arrow C6H12O6 + 6 O2.
What is photosynthesis?
A solution with a high concentration of H+ ions and a pH value below 7.
What is acidic (or an acid)?
The solid metal innermost center of Earth surrounded by a liquid metal outer core.
What is the inner core?
The settling or depositing of eroded soil at a new location.
What is deposition?
The overgrowth of producers (like algae) in water caused by runoff of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers.
What is eutrophication?
A feedback loop that causes a system to move toward an extreme, such as unchecked soil erosion.
What is a positive feedback loop?