1. Earth Systems Vocabulary

2. earth the third planet from the sun in the solar system

3. minerals a solid substance found in nature that has never been alive Examples: copper, sulfur, gold

4. rock cycle an ongoing process when rocks are changed from one type into another

5. magma molten (melted) rock below the surface of the earth; on the surface, we call it lava

6. igneous rock rock formed when magma/lava cools and hardens

7. volcano An opening in earth’s surface through which lava, gases, and ash pour out

8. weathering the breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces

9. erosion the third planet from the sun the planet where we live

10. sediment material that settles at the bottom of a liquid

11. deposition the wearing and carrying away of rocks and soil

12. sedimentary rock rock formed when layers of sediment are pressed together

13. pressure force produced by pushing or pressing on something

14. metamorphic rock new rock formed when a rock deep in the earth is changed by heat and pressure

15. water cycle ongoing movement of water between the atmosphere and earth’s surface

16. evaporation change from a liquid to a gas

17. transpiration plant leaves giving off water vapor

18. condensation gas changes to a liquid as it cools; Example: forming a cloud

19. precipitation water in the atmosphere that falls to earth Examples: rain, snow, sleet, hail

20. runoff water that flows over earth’s surface (does not evaporate or soak into ground)

21. biogeochemical cycles the cycling of matter through earth’s water, air, land, and living things

22. carbon cycle

23. oxygen cycle

24. nitrogen cycle