Transcript Vocabulary 4th grade

canyon
canyon: a deep ravine between cliffs often carved
from the landscape by a river over a long period
of time
delta
delta: a large, flat area of land at the mouth of a
river
landform
landform: a natural structure on Earth’s surface
dune
dune: a hill of sand that is deposited by the wind
weathering
weathering: the various processes that
cause exposed rock to break down
physical weathering
physical weathering: the breakdown of rocks and
soils through direct contact with heat, water, or ice
erosion
erosion: the movement of weathered materials by
water, wind, or ice
deposition
deposition: the process in which materials eroded
by water, wind, or ice are dropped in a new place
mass movement
mass movement: the downhill movement of rock
and soil because of gravity
sedimentary rock
sedimentary rock: a rock that formed when
sediments were pressed and cemented together
cementing
cementing: sediments glued together by minerals
dissolved in water
fossil
fossil: a remnant or trace of an organism from long
ago, such as a skeleton or leaf imprint, embedded
and preserved on the Earth’s crust
fossil fuel
fossil fuel: a fuel that formed from the decayed
remains of ancient plants and animals
alternative energy
alternative energy: any energy from a source that
does not use up the Earth’s natural resources or
endanger our environment
solar energy
solar energy: energy from the sun that is converted
into thermal or electrical energy
wind energy
wind energy: air in motion
hydroelectric energy
hydroelectric energy: electricity that is generated
by water power
geothermal energy
geothermal energy: energy from within the Earth
biofuels
biofuels: fuels that can be produced using organic
materials made from plants and animals
force
force: a push or pull
gravity
gravity: the force that pulls objects toward each other
friction
friction: a force between two surfaces rubbing
against each other; friction works against motion
magnetism
magnetism: a force that pulls magnetic materials
across a distance