Environmental Science Vocabulary Flashcard Chapter 3

Front

Any material that has mass and occupies space.

Back

Matter

Front

The basic unit of matter, the smallest unit that maintains the chemical properties of an element.

Back

Atom

Front

All of the rock at and below Earth's surface.

Back

Geosphere

Front

Sphere of Earth made up of the hard rock on and just below Earth's surface, the outermost layer of both Earth and its geosphere.

Back

Lithosphere

Front

The Earth and all of its organisms and environments.

Back

Biosphere

Front

The thin layer of gases that surrounds Earth.

Back

Atmosphere

Front

What is the term for all of the water - salt water and fresh water - in the form of liquid, ice or vapor - above and below Earth's surface and in the atmosphere?

Back

Hydrosphere

Front

The thin layer of rock that forms Earth's outer surface on land and in the ocean.

Back

Crust

Front

The layer of very hot but mostly solid rock beneath Earth's crust.

Back

Mantle

Front

The layer of Earth below the mantle

Back

Core