Earth's Surface Systems

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Electromagnetic radiation Noun

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[eh-lek-tro-mag-net-ik ray-dee-ay-shun]

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Electromagnetic radiation

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Energy that travels in waves and can move through the vacuum of space, such as light from the sun.

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Example: The Sun sends energy to Earth as electromagnetic radiation. This energy travels through space and warms the planet's surface, driving surface systems.

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Tectonic plates Noun

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[tek-ton-ik pleyts]

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Tectonic plates

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Large, rigid pieces of Earth's lithosphere that move slowly over the underlying asthenosphere, causing geologic activity.

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Example: This world map shows the Earth's crust is broken into large, distinct sections called tectonic plates, like a cracked eggshell, with each plate labeled.

Front

Radioactive decay Noun

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[ray-dee-oh-ak-tiv dih-key]

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Radioactive decay

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The process where an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation, a primary source of Earth's internal heat.

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Example: This graph shows that during radioactive decay, the amount of a substance decreases by half after each 'half-life' period passes.

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Isotopes Noun

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[ahy-suh-tohps]

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Isotopes

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Atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei.

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Example: This diagram shows isotopes of carbon. All three atoms have the same number of protons (P), but Carbon-13 and Carbon-14 have extra neutrons (N).

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Biogeochemistry Noun

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[bahy-oh-jee-oh-kem-uh-stree]

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Biogeochemistry

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The scientific field studying the cycling of elements and compounds vital to life through Earth's geological and biological systems.

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Example: This diagram shows the carbon cycle, an example of how chemical elements move between living things (bio) and the non-living Earth (geo).

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Geosphere Noun

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[jee-oh-sfeer]

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Geosphere

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The solid parts of the Earth, including all rocks, soil, and sediments that constitute the planet's main body.

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Example: This diagram shows the geosphere is the solid part of Earth by illustrating its main layers: the crust, mantle, and core.

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Atmosphere Noun

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[at-muh-sfeer]

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Atmosphere

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The envelope of gases surrounding the Earth or another planet, held in place by gravity.

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Example: The atmosphere is a blanket of gases divided into distinct layers, each with unique properties, starting from the ground and extending into space.

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Hydrosphere Noun

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[hahy-droh-sfeer]

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Hydrosphere

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All the water on Earth's surface, including oceans, lakes, rivers, and ice, in all its forms.

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Example: This diagram shows the hydrosphere as all the water on Earth, located on the surface between the land (lithosphere) and the air (atmosphere).

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Biosphere Noun

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[bahy-oh-sfeer]

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Biosphere

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The global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships, including their interaction with the other spheres.

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Example: This diagram shows the biosphere as the zone of life on Earth, encompassing the atmosphere (air), lithosphere (land), and hydrosphere (water).

Front

Residence time Noun

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[rez-i-duhns tahym]

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Residence time

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The average amount of time a molecule or particle spends in a particular reservoir or system.

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Example: This diagram shows a lake with water entering (inputs) and leaving (outputs). Residence time is the average time water stays in the lake before it flows out or evaporates.