| A | B |
|---|
| nutrient cycle | recycle nutrients in various chemical forms from the nonliving part of the environment to the living part of the environment |
| hydrolic cycle | water cycle |
| atmospheric cycle | cycles various gases |
| sedimentary cycle | cycles elements in the crust |
| absolute humidity | amount of water vapor in a certain mass of air |
| relative humidity | amount of water vapor in a certain mass of air expressed as a percentage |
| dew point | point at which water condensates |
| aquifier | water-laden rock that allows water to easily be transmitted |
| rock cycle | processes that change rocks from one type to another |
| igneous rock | rock formed from magma or lava |
| sedimentary rock | rock formed from preexisting rocks that are weathered and eroded |
| mechanical weathering | breaks down materials into smaller forms, does not change the chemical composition of the rock |
| chemical weathering | breaking down of rock with chemicals, chemically changes the rock |
| metamorphic rock | rock formed from high temperature and pressure |
| soil | complex mixture of eroded rock, minerals, decayed matter, water, air, and living organisms |
| soil horizons | layers in soil |
| humus | partially decomposed organic matter |
| infiltration | downward movement of water in soil |
| leaching | dissolved soil components that are moved from upper to lower layers of soil |
| loam | equal mixture of clay, silt, sand, and humus |
| soil porosity | measure of volume of pores per unit volume |
| soil permeability | rate at which water and air move from upper to lower layers |
| clay | good nutrient holding capacity and water holding capacity |
| silt | medium for all soil characterisitics |
| sand | good water infilitration, aeration, and workability |
