Vocab Study Guide

4.1

100

Hydrosphere

is the total amount of water on Earth, including oceans, rivers, lakes, groundwater, and the water vapor in the atmosphere.

200

Biosphere

includes all living things on Earth.

300

Geosphere

is the layer of Earth made up of solid rock and other rocky materials.

400

Atmosphere

is the layer of gases surrounding Earth.

4.2

100

Latitude

the distance north or south of the equator, measured in degrees.

200

Longitude

the distance east or west of the prime meridian, measured in degrees.

300

Contour Lines

are lines on a topographic map that indicate elevation.

400

Contour Intervals

is the distance in elevation between adjacent contour lines.

4.3

100

Solstices

first day of summer & first day of winter

OR

when the Earth's tilt is most extreme toward or away from the sun, resulting in the longest (summer) or shortest (winter) day of the year

200

Equinoxes

first day of spring & first day of autumn

OR

when the Earth's axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun, resulting in nearly equal hours of daylight and darkness worldwide.

300

Conduction

is the transfer of heat through matter by molecular activity.

400

Convection

is the transfer of heat by mass movement or circulation within a substance.

4.3 Cont

100

Radiation

is the transfer of energy (heat) through space by electromagnetic waves that travel out in all directions.

200

Scattering

produces a larger number of weaker rays that travel in different locations.

300

Reflection

occurs when light bounces off an object.

400

Greenhouse Effect

is the heating of Earth’s surface and atmosphere from solar radiation being absorbed and emitted by the atmosphere, mainly by water vapor and carbon dioxide.