-
crust
the thin and solid outermost layer of Earth above the mantle
-
mantle
the layer of rock between Earth's crust and core
-
core
the central part of Earth below the mantle
-
asthenosphere
the asthenosphere is a solid, plastic layer upon which the tectonic plates move
-
lithosphere
the lithosphere is 15 to 300 km thick. This rigid layer of Earth is divided into pieces called tectonic plates
-
mesosphere
The mesosphere is the lower, solid layer of the mantle
-
convection
the movement of matter due to differences in density; the transfer of energy due to the movement of matter
-
convection current
any movement of matter that results from differences in density; may be vertical, circular, or cyclical
-
temperature
a measure of how hot(or cold) something is; specifically, a measure of the average kenetic energy of the particles in an object
-
heat
the energy transferred between objects that are at different temperatures
-
thermal energy
the kinetic energy of a substance's atoms
-
conduction
the transfer of energy as heat through a material
-
radiation
the transfer of energy as electromagnetic waves
-
heat flow
term for heat transfer, the transfer of energy from a warmer object to a cooler object
-
electromagnetic spectrum
all of the frequencies or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation
-
rock cycle
the series of processes in which rock forms, changes from one type to another, is destroyed and forms again by geologic processes
-
water cycle
the continuous movement of water between the atmosphere, the land, and the oceans
-
carbon cycle
the movement of carbon from the nonliving environment into living things and back
-
nitrogen cycle
the process in which nitrogen circulates among the air, soil, water, plants and animals in an ecosystem
-
How energy and matter flow through Earth's four spheres
Geosphere - solid rock layer, slowly moves causing heat transfer between the layers which warms the earth surface and impacts the atmosphere.
Atmosphere - the sun radiates the main source of energy. solar radiation heats Earth's surface unevenly which causes the air to move. The movement distributes the energy. Called convection.
Hydrosphere - the sun heats the ocean unevenly which causes the water density to change and move. Called convection current.
|
|