Weis Vocab ENV

Lithosphere

The land, rocks, and physical surfaces of the planet earth

Convergent Boundary

Where two tectonic plates are moving together

Transform boundary

where two tectonic plates are moving past each other

Divergent boundary

where two tectonic plates are moving apart

chemical weathering

the breakdown of rocks by chemical reactions

physical weathering

the breaking down of rocks by pressure, temperature, and /or water action

erosion

the wearing and removal of rock by wind, water, or glacial movement

deposition

the laying down of eroded sediment

hydrosphere

the water located in the ground, on the surface, and in the air of planet earth

atmosphere

the air located in a sphere around the planet earth

Troposhere

The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere where all weather occurs

Stratosphere

The second lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere that contains the ozone layer

biosphere

all living things that exist upon earth

geosphere

the whole of earth, containing all rocks, water, air, and life

Evaporation

the process of liquid water gaining energy and changing into a gaseous state (vapor)

condensation

the process of water vapor loosing energy and changing into a liquid state

precipitation

the process of water falling from the atmosphere to the ground

infiltration

the process of water evaporating from the leaves of plants

aquifer

underground layer of rock that contains liquid water

hydrologic cycle

the movement of water within the environment

nutrient cycle

the movement of organic and inorganic matter within the enviroment