| A | B |
|---|
| atmosphere | mixture of gases that forms a layer around Earth |
| biosphere | Earth system that contains all living things |
| cryosphere | the frozen portion of water on Earth?s surface. |
| geosphere | solid part of Earth |
| groundwater | water that is stored in cracks and pores beneath Earth?s surface |
| hydrosphere | system that contains all Earth?s water |
| mineral | naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and definite chemical composition |
| rock | naturally occurring solid composed of minerals and sometimes other materials such as organic |
| climate | average weather pattern for a region over a long period of time |
| condensation | process by which a gas changes to a liquid |
| evaporation | process by which a liquid changes into a gas |
| precipitation | moisture that falls from clouds to Earth?s surface |
| rock cycle | series of processes that transport and continually change rocks into different forms |
| transpiration | process by which plants release water vapor through their leaves |
| water cycle | continuous movement of water on, above, and below Earth?s surface |
| weather | state of the atmosphere at a certain time and place |
