Earth's Structure & Surface
What is the thin, outer layer of the Earth called?
Crust
What do we call materials from Earth that people use, like water, soil, and minerals?
Natural resources
Name one element of weather.
Temperature, wind, precipitation, or clouds
What causes day and night on Earth?
Earth’s rotation on its axis (the sun and moon)
What were the three mentioned slow changes that affect the Earth?
Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition
Name one type of common landform
Mountains, rivers, plains, oceans, valleys, or deserts
What is the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources?
Renewable resources can be replaced or regenerated (like trees or sunlight), while nonrenewable resources cannot be replaced quickly (like fossil fuels).
What instrument is used to measure temperature?
Thermometer
What object orbits Earth and goes through phases?
The Moon
Name a fast change that can quickly affect land or people.
Earthquakes, volcanoes, or floods
What are the tiny bits of rock, sand, dirt, or even shells that break off from bigger rocks or living things? (HINT: these can make up to form a certain type of rock)
Sediments
Name the three main steps of the water cycle.
Evaporation, condensation, precipitation (and collection)
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather is short-term conditions in a place, while climate is long-term patterns over time.
What are the eight planets in the solar system?
How do earthquakes, volcanoes, and floods change the land?
They can reshape the land by creating mountains, valleys, lava flows, or flooding areas
What is the process called when rocks change from one type to another over time?
The rock cycle
Which four natural elements are essential for life on Earth?
Sun (energy), water, air, and soil
What causes the seasons on Earth?
The tilt of Earth’s axis and its orbit around the Sun.
What do we call planets, moons, and stars together?
The solar system
What is the difference between weathering, erosion, and deposition?
Weathering breaks down rocks, erosion moves the pieces, and deposition drops them in a new place
What are the three main types of rocks?
Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic
Why is conserving natural resources important for the future of the planet?
To ensure resources are available for future generations and to protect the environment
What are the three main climate zones?
Tropical, Temperate, and Polar
How does the Earth’s tilt affect the amount of sunlight different places get during the year?
It causes different seasons and changes how much sunlight areas receive
How can natural disasters affect plants, animals, and humans?
They can destroy habitats, harm living things, and damage homes and communities