Category 1
A natural process where atmospheric gases—primarily water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane trap heat from the sun, keeping Earth warm enough to sustain life.
pick a number
Greenhouse effect
Part of Earth’s crust that is under the oceans
11
Oceanic Crust
Force of attraction between to objects. The more mass an object has the greater the force of _______. _______ holds the moon in orbit. The sun’s _________ holds Earth and the other planets in orbit.
21
Gravity
The crust that is under land (continents)
19
Continental crust
A giant ball of hot, glowing matter
22
Star
Plates that move side by side in opposite directions
6
Transform Boundary
Plates that move towards each other
13
The solid portion of Earth, encompassing all rocks, minerals, soil, and sediments from the surface crust down to the metallic core
15
Geosphere
The outermost, solid, and thinnest layer of the planet
5
Crust
Plates that move away from each other
10
Divergent Boundary
The layer below the crust and above the core. Makes up most of Earth’s volume.
1
Mantle
All water on Earth, covering over 70% of its surface in liquid, solid, and gaseous forms. It includes oceans, glaciers, lakes, rivers, and groundwater.
16
Hydrosphere
The protective, layered blanket of gases surrounding Earth, primarily composed of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%). It extends roughly 300 miles up, shielding life from harmful space radiation, holding moisture, and regulating temperature.
4
Atmosphere
Extends from approximately 31 miles to 53 miles above the Earth's surface. It sits above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere, with a thickness of roughly 22 miles, and is known for burning up most meteors.
12
The layer below the mantle and above the inner core. It is entirely liquid. It is where Earth’s magnetic field is.
2
Outer Core
Begins approximately 5 - 9 miles above Earth's surface - just above the troposphere and extends to about 31 miles high. It is known for containing the ozone layer and is often where planes fly because the air is less dense – saving on fuel.
8
Stratosphere
Primarily solid iron-nickel with a temperature of approximately 9,392°F, comparable to the Sun's surface. It is a solid due to the immense pressure of the other layers and the atmosphere.
20
Inner Core
Earth's outermost atmospheric layer, extending from roughly 400 miles up to 6,000 miles, acting as a transition zone to space.
17
Exosphere
The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere where weather occurs, is generally 5 to 9 miles thick. It is the densest layer, containing approximately 75–80% of the atmosphere's mass.
9
Troposphere
Extends from about 50 miles to between 500 miles above Earth's surface. This layer houses the International Space Station and auroras. Temperatures increase with altitude.
18
Thermosphere
A group of stars that appear to form a shape or picture
Pick a number
Constellation
The four outer planets that are made of ice and gases
Pick a number
Gas Giants
The scientific theory that Earth's outer shell is divided into several large, rigid plates that glide over a molten mantle layer. These plates move small amounts annually, causing earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain building at their boundaries.
3
Plate Tectonics
A thin shield in the stratosphere, that absorbs ~98% of the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It protects human health, ecosystems, and crops from excessive radiation.
14
Ozone Layer
The amount of salt in water
7
Salinity