Hydrosphere
The hydrosphere is the combined mass of water found on, under, and above the surface of a planet. It includes water in the form of liquid, ice, and vapor and plays a crucial role in supporting life on Earth.
Composition of the Hydrosphere
The hydrosphere is composed of the following:
- Oceans
- Rivers
- Lakes
- Glaciers
- Groundwater
- Atmospheric water vapor
Functions of the Hydrosphere
The hydrosphere performs several important functions, including:
- Regulating the Earth's climate
- Supporting various ecosystems
- Providing a source of freshwater for human consumption and agriculture
- Playing a role in the water cycle
Human Impact on the Hydrosphere
Human activities such as pollution, deforestation, and industrialization have a significant impact on the hydrosphere, leading to water pollution, depletion of freshwater sources, and disruption of aquatic ecosystems.
Study Tips
Here are some tips for studying the hydrosphere:
- Understand the different components of the hydrosphere and their roles.
- Learn about the water cycle and its significance in the hydrosphere.
- Explore the impact of human activities on the hydrosphere and potential solutions.
- Review examples of how the hydrosphere supports life on Earth.
◂Science Worksheets and Study Guides Sixth Grade. Plate Tectonics
Worksheet/Answer key
Plate Tectonics 
Worksheet/Answer key
Plate Tectonics Worksheet/Answer key
Plate Tectonics Vocabulary/Answer key
Plate Tectonics Vocabulary/Answer key
Plate Tectonics Vocabulary/Answer key
Plate Tectonics Vocabulary/Answer key
Plate Tectonics
Worksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyVocabulary/Answer keyVocabulary/Answer keyVocabulary/Answer keyVocabulary/Answer keyThe resources above cover the following skills:
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
Earth’s Systems
Use evidence to explain how different geologic processes shape Earth’s history over widely varying scales of space and time (e.g., chemical and physical erosion; tectonic plate processes; volcanic eruptions; meteor impacts; regional geographical features, including Alabama fault lines, Rickwood Caverns, and Wetumpka Impact Crater).
Provide evidence from data of the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to explain past plate motions.
Use models to explain how the flow of Earth’s internal energy drives a cycling of matter between Earth’s surface and deep interior causing plate movements (e.g., mid-ocean ridges, ocean trenches, volcanoes, earthquakes, mountains, rift valleys, volcanic islands).