Download Lesson 3.3 - Earth`s Spheres

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Lesson 3.3 - Earth’s Spheres
Vocabulary Review. Define each vocabulary term in your own words.
A) Crust –
B) Mantle –
C) Core –
D) Tectonic Plate –
E) Landform –
F) Deposition –
G) Evaporation –
H) Transpiration –
I) Condensation –
J) Aquifer –
K) Groundwater The Geosphere. Complete the following paragraph with terms from the word bank.
asthenosphere
core
crust
geosphere
mantle
tectonic plates
The geosphere is made up of all the rocks and minerals on or below Earth’s surface. The outer part
of the geosphere is called the crust, which forms the land we live on as well as the ocean bottom.
The hot rock beneath this layer is known as the mantle and includes the uppermost lithosphere as
well as the softer asthenosphere. As this layer moves, it drags large sections of lithosphere, called
tectonic plates, across Earth’s surface. Earth’s center is called the core and is made up of molten
and solid metals.
2. How does plate tectonics influence the characteristics of Earth’s surface?
As plates move, they combine, separate and recombine creating the landforms and
continents that affect soil and climate.
3. Define the three different types of plate boundaries.
Convergent – when two plates collide, forming mountains or volcanoes
Divergent – when two plates move apart, forming ridges (ex: Mid-Atlantic Ridge)
Transform – when two plates slide past one another, forming earthquakes
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The Biosphere and Atmosphere.
4.
Why is Earth’s biosphere called “the living Earth”?
The living things (and the non-living things with which they interact) live only in this
sphere, the biosphere.
5.
Define ozone and explain its purpose.
Ozone is O3, three oxygen molecules combined; the role is to protect our planet from
UV radiation.
6.
How do the greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere affect our environment?
Greenhouse gases trap heat and make our planet warm enough to live on.
The Hydrosphere. For the following questions, match each term with the statement that best
describes it.
_____ 7.
Evaporation A
a.
the process by which water in a lake becomes water vapor
_____ 8.
Transpiration D
b. the upper limit of fresh water stored underground
_____ 9.
Precipitation E
c.
the process by which water vapor in the air becomes dew
_____ 10. Condensation C
d. the process by which blades of grass release water vapor
_____ 11. Aquifer F
e.
rain or snow
_____ 12. water table B
f.
the place where fresh water collects underground
Organize Information. Complete the chart by filling in at least two characteristics about each
sphere.
Sphere
Geosphere
Characteristics
Contains crust, mantle, core
Made of rocks and minerals
Tectonic plates result in landforms
Atmosphere
All of Earth’s gases
Keep Earth warm enough for living things to survive
Biosphere
All the living or once-living species
Gases expelled by these organisms become part of the atmosphere
Hydrosphere
All the water found on planet Earth
97.5% of it is salt, the rest is fresh, but only 0.5% is unfrozen
Water cycles through all spheres of Earth
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