Science - Ch. 3

the thin and solid outermost layer of Earth above the mantle

the layer of rock between Earth's crust and core

the central part of Earth below the mantle

the asthenosphere is a solid, plastic layer upon which the tectonic plates move

the lithosphere is 15 to 300 km thick. This rigid layer of Earth is divided into pieces called tectonic plates

The mesosphere is the lower, solid layer of the mantle

the movement of matter due to differences in density; the transfer of energy due to the movement of matter

any movement of matter that results from differences in density; may be vertical, circular, or cyclical

a measure of how hot(or cold) something is; specifically, a measure of the average kenetic energy of the particles in an object

the energy transferred between objects that are at different temperatures

the kinetic energy of a substance's atoms

the transfer of energy as heat through a material

the transfer of energy as electromagnetic waves

term for heat transfer, the transfer of energy from a warmer object to a cooler object

all of the frequencies or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation

the series of processes in which rock forms, changes from one type to another, is destroyed and forms again by geologic processes

the continuous movement of water between the atmosphere, the land, and the oceans

the movement of carbon from the nonliving environment into living things and back

the process in which nitrogen circulates among the air, soil, water, plants and animals in an ecosystem

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.