Composition of Earth

What makes up Earth’s Sphere’s?

Why is Earth Unique?

• 3rd planet from the sun-perfect for supporting life-biosphere

• Is covered by a blanket of gases-atmosphere

• Is covered by water- hydrosphere

• Has polar ice caps-cryosphere

• Solid ground-geosphere (lithosphere)

The Atmosphere

• Thin blanket of gases that surround the earth

• Consists of layers divided according to temperature

• Consists of water vapor,oxygen, nitrogen, argon and other gases

Structure of Earth’s Atmosphere

Earth’s Atmosphere according to temperature variations

More on the Atmosphere

• The study of the condition of the atmosphere is known as meterology

• Gases thin out with altitude

• Ozone or O3 is found in the stratosphere

• Ozone filters harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun

• The hole in the ozone found over polar ice caps is monitored closely by scientists

The Hydrosphere

Hydrosphere

• All the water that covers the earth• Consists of liquid water, dissolved salts,

including sodium chloride and many others.• 3% fresh, 97% oceanic• Two common resources from ocean water are

table salt, and magnesium• Study of oceans is called oceanography• Sources of salt: weathered rock, volcanoes, and

decaying marine organisms• Salinity, temperature, light intensity of ocean

varies with depth

The Geosphere

Geosphere

• Consists of solid rock

• Is constantly changing

• Wears down by weathering and erosion

• Builds up by crustal activity, volcanic eruptions, mountain building etc

• Compound that form the rock come from within the earth in magma (igneous rock)

The Crysosphere

The Cryosphere

• All the ice or frozen waters

• Moves

• Glacier

• Found at polar ice caps and high altitudes