Models of Geosystems - Middle School Earth and Space Science
Card 1 of 25
Which process transfers carbon from dead organisms into soils and sediments over time?
Which process transfers carbon from dead organisms into soils and sediments over time?
Tap to reveal answer
Decomposition and burial. Decomposers break down organic matter, storing carbon in soil.
Decomposition and burial. Decomposers break down organic matter, storing carbon in soil.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which process moves sediments downhill into rivers, lakes, or oceans?
Which process moves sediments downhill into rivers, lakes, or oceans?
Tap to reveal answer
Erosion. Water, wind, ice, or gravity transport loose materials away.
Erosion. Water, wind, ice, or gravity transport loose materials away.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option best completes a model arrow: "Ocean surface water $
0$ to water vapor in air"?
Which option best completes a model arrow: "Ocean surface water $ 0$ to water vapor in air"?
Tap to reveal answer
Evaporation (hydrosphere to atmosphere). Heat transforms liquid ocean water into atmospheric vapor.
Evaporation (hydrosphere to atmosphere). Heat transforms liquid ocean water into atmospheric vapor.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which process converts atmospheric $CO_2$ into sugars in the biosphere?
Which process converts atmospheric $CO_2$ into sugars in the biosphere?
Tap to reveal answer
Photosynthesis. Plants use sunlight to convert $CO_2$ and water into glucose.
Photosynthesis. Plants use sunlight to convert $CO_2$ and water into glucose.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which process returns $CO_2$ from organisms to the atmosphere?
Which process returns $CO_2$ from organisms to the atmosphere?
Tap to reveal answer
Cellular respiration. Organisms break down glucose for energy, releasing $CO_2$ as waste.
Cellular respiration. Organisms break down glucose for energy, releasing $CO_2$ as waste.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which process removes $CO_2$ from the atmosphere by forming carbonate rocks in the geosphere?
Which process removes $CO_2$ from the atmosphere by forming carbonate rocks in the geosphere?
Tap to reveal answer
Chemical weathering and carbonate formation. $CO_2$ reacts with rocks to form limestone and other carbonates.
Chemical weathering and carbonate formation. $CO_2$ reacts with rocks to form limestone and other carbonates.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the geosystem transfer: Burning fossil fuels releases $CO_2$ into air.
Identify the geosystem transfer: Burning fossil fuels releases $CO_2$ into air.
Tap to reveal answer
Geosphere to atmosphere. Fossil fuels from geosphere release carbon to air when burned.
Geosphere to atmosphere. Fossil fuels from geosphere release carbon to air when burned.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option is an example of matter transfer (not energy transfer) between geosystems?
Which option is an example of matter transfer (not energy transfer) between geosystems?
Tap to reveal answer
Water evaporating from the ocean into the atmosphere. Water molecules physically move from ocean to air, transferring matter.
Water evaporating from the ocean into the atmosphere. Water molecules physically move from ocean to air, transferring matter.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the correct definition of a reservoir (storage) in a geosystem cycle model?
What is the correct definition of a reservoir (storage) in a geosystem cycle model?
Tap to reveal answer
A place where matter is stored for a period of time. Reservoirs hold matter temporarily before it moves elsewhere.
A place where matter is stored for a period of time. Reservoirs hold matter temporarily before it moves elsewhere.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which process moves water from land plants (biosphere) to the atmosphere as water vapor?
Which process moves water from land plants (biosphere) to the atmosphere as water vapor?
Tap to reveal answer
Transpiration. Plants release water vapor through leaf pores during photosynthesis.
Transpiration. Plants release water vapor through leaf pores during photosynthesis.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is infiltration in the water cycle, stated as a geosystem transfer?
What is infiltration in the water cycle, stated as a geosystem transfer?
Tap to reveal answer
Surface water soaking into soil and rock (hydrosphere to geosphere). Water moves downward through pore spaces in soil and rock.
Surface water soaking into soil and rock (hydrosphere to geosphere). Water moves downward through pore spaces in soil and rock.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is runoff in the water cycle, stated as a geosystem transfer?
What is runoff in the water cycle, stated as a geosystem transfer?
Tap to reveal answer
Water flowing over land into streams and oceans (geosphere to hydrosphere). Gravity moves surface water downslope to water bodies.
Water flowing over land into streams and oceans (geosphere to hydrosphere). Gravity moves surface water downslope to water bodies.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the geosystem transfer: Rainwater dissolves minerals and carries ions to the ocean.
Identify the geosystem transfer: Rainwater dissolves minerals and carries ions to the ocean.
Tap to reveal answer
Geosphere to hydrosphere. Dissolved minerals move from rocks into ocean water.
Geosphere to hydrosphere. Dissolved minerals move from rocks into ocean water.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What term describes the movement of Earth materials between geosystems?
What term describes the movement of Earth materials between geosystems?
Tap to reveal answer
Cycling (or cycling of matter). Matter moves continuously between Earth's spheres in repeating patterns.
Cycling (or cycling of matter). Matter moves continuously between Earth's spheres in repeating patterns.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What process moves water from the surface into the ground to become groundwater?
What process moves water from the surface into the ground to become groundwater?
Tap to reveal answer
Infiltration. Water seeps through soil pores and cracks.
Infiltration. Water seeps through soil pores and cracks.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which process returns $CO_2$ from organisms to the atmosphere and hydrosphere?
Which process returns $CO_2$ from organisms to the atmosphere and hydrosphere?
Tap to reveal answer
cellular respiration. Organisms break down glucose, releasing $CO_2$ as waste.
cellular respiration. Organisms break down glucose, releasing $CO_2$ as waste.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which process transfers carbon from the biosphere to the geosphere by burial over long time periods?
Which process transfers carbon from the biosphere to the geosphere by burial over long time periods?
Tap to reveal answer
Burial and fossilization (sedimentation). Dead organisms become fossil fuels over millions of years.
Burial and fossilization (sedimentation). Dead organisms become fossil fuels over millions of years.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the correct sphere-to-sphere transfer: evaporation moves water from which sphere to which sphere?
Identify the correct sphere-to-sphere transfer: evaporation moves water from which sphere to which sphere?
Tap to reveal answer
Hydrosphere to atmosphere. Water changes from liquid to gas phase during this transfer.
Hydrosphere to atmosphere. Water changes from liquid to gas phase during this transfer.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the correct sphere-to-sphere transfer: weathering and erosion move rock material from which sphere to which sphere?
Identify the correct sphere-to-sphere transfer: weathering and erosion move rock material from which sphere to which sphere?
Tap to reveal answer
Geosphere to hydrosphere. Rock particles dissolve or wash into water bodies.
Geosphere to hydrosphere. Rock particles dissolve or wash into water bodies.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the geosphere in an Earth-systems cycling model?
What is the geosphere in an Earth-systems cycling model?
Tap to reveal answer
Solid Earth: rocks, minerals, soil, and landforms. Includes all solid materials from Earth's crust to core.
Solid Earth: rocks, minerals, soil, and landforms. Includes all solid materials from Earth's crust to core.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the hydrosphere in an Earth-systems cycling model?
What is the hydrosphere in an Earth-systems cycling model?
Tap to reveal answer
All Earth water: liquid, solid, and water vapor. Encompasses water in all three states throughout Earth.
All Earth water: liquid, solid, and water vapor. Encompasses water in all three states throughout Earth.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the geosystem transfer: weathering moves matter from which sphere into which sphere?
Identify the geosystem transfer: weathering moves matter from which sphere into which sphere?
Tap to reveal answer
Geosphere into hydrosphere (dissolved ions) and sediments. Rock breakdown releases minerals into water and creates loose particles.
Geosphere into hydrosphere (dissolved ions) and sediments. Rock breakdown releases minerals into water and creates loose particles.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is a flux (transfer) in an Earth material cycle model?
What is a flux (transfer) in an Earth material cycle model?
Tap to reveal answer
A process that moves matter between reservoirs. Acts as a pathway connecting different storage locations.
A process that moves matter between reservoirs. Acts as a pathway connecting different storage locations.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which process changes rock minerals by reactions with water, oxygen, or acids?
Which process changes rock minerals by reactions with water, oxygen, or acids?
Tap to reveal answer
Chemical weathering. Minerals transform into new compounds through chemical reactions.
Chemical weathering. Minerals transform into new compounds through chemical reactions.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the biosphere in an Earth system model?
What is the biosphere in an Earth system model?
Tap to reveal answer
All living organisms and their organic matter. Includes all life forms and their decaying remains.
All living organisms and their organic matter. Includes all life forms and their decaying remains.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →