| A | B |
|---|
| hypothesis | A possible explanation for a set of observations or answer to a scientific question |
| variable | a factor that can change in an experiment |
| crust, mantle, outer core, inner core | the four divisions of the earth |
| lithosphere | the earth's solid rocky outer layer |
| hydrosphere | the earth's oceans, lakes, rivers and ice |
| biosphere | all living things, whether in the air, oceans or on and beneath the land surface |
| atmosphere | earth's outermost sphere which consists of a mixture of gases that surround the planet |
| energy | the ability to do work and cause change |
| constructive forces | forces that shape the earth's surface by building up mountains and landmasses |
| weathering | forces that slowly wear away mountains and every other feature on earth's surface |
| elevation | the height above sea level |
| relief | the difference in elevation between the highest and lowest parts of an area |
| topography | the shape of the land which includes the areas of elevation, relief and landforms |
| plains, mountains, plateaus | 3 main types of landforms |
| plain | landform made up of nearly flat land with low relief |
| coastal plain | a plain that lies along a seacoast |
| interior plain | a plain that lies away from the coast |
| mountain | a landform with high elevation and high relief |
| plateau | a landform that has high elevation and a more or less level surface (low relief) |
| topographic map | a map that shows surface features of an area |
| contour lines | lines that connect points of equal elevation on a topographic map |
| contour interval | the change in elevation from contour line to contour line |
| mineral | a naturally occurring inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition |
| calculating density | only true way to identify a mineral |
| cleavage | characteristic of a mineral that splits easily along flat surfaces |
| fracture | happens when a mineral does not split easily along flat surfaces |
| crystallization | process by which atoms are arranged to form a material with crystal structure |
| solution | a mixture in which one substance is dissolved in another |
| gemstone | a hard, colorful mineral that has a brilliant or glassy luster |
| vein | a narrow channel or slab of a mineral that is different from the surrounding rock |
