Matter and Energy in Earth's System

Front

Atmosphere Noun

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[at-muh-sfeer]

Back

Atmosphere

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The thin envelope of gases forming Earth's outermost layer, which contains air, weather systems, and dust particles.

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Example: The image shows Earth's atmosphere layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.

Front

Geosphere Noun

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[jee-uh-sfeer]

Back

Geosphere

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The solid part of the Earth, which consists of rock and metal found in the crust, mantle, and core.

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Example: The image shows Earth's geosphere layers: crust, mantle, and core, with labels for each part.

Front

Hydrosphere Noun

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[hy-druh-sfeer]

Back

Hydrosphere

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All of Earth's water in its various forms, including liquid water, ice, and the water vapor in the atmosphere.

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Example: This image shows the hydrosphere with water in rivers, lakes, clouds, and rain, illustrating the water cycle.

Front

Cryosphere Noun

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[kry-uh-sfeer]

Back

Cryosphere

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The frozen component of the hydrosphere, which is made up of all ice and snow on land and sea.

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Example: The image shows different parts of the cryosphere, like icebergs and permafrost, illustrating Earth's frozen water.

Front

Biosphere Noun

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[by-uh-sfeer]

Back

Biosphere

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The parts of the Earth, including land, water, and air, that contain and support all living organisms.

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Example: The image shows the biosphere as the interaction of air, water, and land supporting life.

Front

System Noun

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[sis-tuhm]

Back

System

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A group of individual, interacting parts that work together to form a complex and unified whole.

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Example: The solar system is a group of planets orbiting the sun, forming a unified whole.

Front

Feedback Noun

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[feed-bak]

Back

Feedback

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A process where a system's output returns as an input, causing either change or stabilization within that system.

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Example: A system's output is fed back as input to maintain or change the system's state.

Front

Magma Noun

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[mag-muh]

Back

Magma

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The hot, molten, and semi-molten rock material that is found beneath the surface of the Earth's crust.

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Example: The image shows magma in a volcano's magma chamber, illustrating its location beneath the Earth's surface.