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geosystems intro

Terms in this set (28)

astronomy
the scientific study of the universe; it includes the observation and interpretation of celestial bodies and phenoma
atmosphere
the gaseous portion of a planet; the planet's envelope of air;
biosphere
the totality of life on earth; the parts of the solid earth, hydrosphere, and atmosphere in which living organisms can be found
core
located beneath the mantle, it is the innermost layer of earth. It is divided into an outer and inner
crust
the very thin outermost layer of Earth
earth science
the name for all the sciences that collectively seek to understand earth, including geology, oceanography, meterology, and astronomy
geology
the science that examines Earth, its from and composition and the changes it has undergone or is undergoing
hydrosphere
the water portion of our planet
lithosphere
the rigid outer layer of the Earth, including the crust and upper mantle
mantle
the 2900-kilometer-thick layer of Earth located below the crust
meteorology
the scientific study of the atmosphere and atmospheric phenomena; the study of weather and climate
nebular hypothesis
the basic idea that the sun and the planets from from the same cloud of dust and gas in interstellar space
oceanography
the scientific study of the oceans and oceanic phenomena
closed system
a system that is self-contained with regards to matter (only energy enters or leaves)
Earth science system
an interdisciplinary study that seeks to examine Earth as a system composed of numerous interacting parts of subsystems
environment
everything that surrounds and influences an organism
hypothesis
a tentative explanation that is tested to determine if valid
model
a term often used synonymously with hypothesis but is less precise
negative feedback mechanism
a feedback mechanism that tends to maintain a systme as it is (maintains status quo)
nonrenewable resources
resources that from or accumulate over such a long span that is must have been considered as fixed in total amount
open system
one in which both mather and energy flow into and out of this system (most natural systems)
paradigm
theory that is held with a very high degree of confidence and is comprehensive in scope
physical environment
the part of the environment that encompasses water, air, soil, and rock, as well as conditions such as temperature, humidity and sunlight
positive feedback mechanism
a feedback mechanism that enhances or drives change
renewable resource
a resource that is virtually inexhaustible or that can be replenished over relatively short time spans
system
any size group of interactin parts that form a complex whole
theory
a well-tested and widely accepted view that explains certain observable facts
athenosphere
the outer layer of the mantle
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