| A | B |
|---|
| system | an organized group of related objects or components that interact to create a whole system |
| matter | anything that has mass and takes up space |
| energy | the ability to do work |
| closed system | a system in which energy, but not matter, is exchanged with the surroundings |
| open system | a system in which both energy and matter are exchanged with the surroundings |
| atmosphere | the blanket of gases that surrounds the Earth's surface |
| hydrosphere | all the Earth's water except the water that is in gaseous form |
| geosphere | the mostly solid part of the Earth |
| biosphere | all of the forms of life in the geosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere |
| first law of thermodynamics | energy cannot be created or destroyed, just transferred |
| energy budget | additions in energy are balanced by subtractions |
| second law of thermodynamics | matter becomes less organized with time |
| convection | the process by which hot material moves to the top |
| reservoir | place where matter or energy is stored |
| cycle | a group of processes where matter and energy repeatedly move through reservoirs. |
| fixed | made usable |
| nitrogen cycle | the process of moving nitrogen from one reservoir to another |
| carbon cycle | the process of moving carbon from one reservoir to another |
| phosphorous cycle | the process of moving phosphorous from one reservoir to another |
| water cycle | the process of moving water from one reservoir to another |
