Earth’s Spheres & Branches of Earth Science

Module E Intro Unit 1 Lesson 1Pages 4-7

What is a System?

• Systems– a group of interacting

parts that work to together to do a job or to form a whole. • Open Systems• Closed Systems

I will be able to describe and identify the two types of systems.

What is a System?

• Systems– Open System• Matter and energy

can flow into and out of the system.– Uncovered pan of

boiling water.– Vegetable Garden– Natural

Environment

I will be able to describe and identify the two types of systems.

What is a System?

• Systems– Closed System• Matter cannot enter

or leave, energy can.– Covered pan of

boiling water.– Terrarium– Greenhouse

I will be able to describe and identify the two types of systems.

Open or Closed Systems?

I will be able to describe and identify the two types of systems.

A B

C D

What is the Earth’s System?• Earth System– A complex system made up

of:• Matter

– Living Things– Nonliving things.

• Energy• Processes within Earth’s

– Matter and energy continuously cycled through the smaller systems that make up Earth’s spheres.

I will be able to describe the parts of Earth’s System and explain how matter and energy are transferred through it.

What is the Earth’s Geosphere?

• Geosphere– Mostly solid, rocky

part of the Earth.– Divided into 3 Layers

1. Crust2. Mantle3. Core

a. Inner Coreb. Outer Core

I will be able to define and describe the five main spheres that make up the Earth.

What is the Earth’s Hydrosphere?• Hydrosphere

– Part of the Earth that is liquid water.

– Always moving, through all spheres.

– 71% of Earth’s surface is the ocean.• Lakes• Rivers• Marshes• Rain• Underground water• Droplets in clouds.

I will be able to define and describe the four main spheres that make up the Earth.

What is the Earth’s Cryosphere?

• Cryosphere– Made up of all frozen

water on Earth.• Ice• Sea Ice• Glaciers• Ice Shelves• Ice Bergs• Snow

I will be able to define and describe the five main spheres that make up the Earth.

What is the Earth’s Atmosphere?• Atmosphere– Mostly made of invisible

gases that surround the Earth.

– Contains the air we breathe.– Composition

• 71% Nitrogen• 23% Oxygen• 1% Trace Gases.

– Traps Heat Energy from the sun.• Greenhouse effect, keeps

the planet warm.

I will be able to define and describe the five main spheres that make up the Earth.

What is the Earth’s Biosphere?• Biosphere

– Made up of living things and their habitats.

– Must Have:• Oxygen• Carbon Dioxide• Liquid Water• Moderate Temperatures• Source of Energy

– Sun– Plants and Algae

(photosynthesis)

I will be able to define and describe the five main spheres that make up the Earth.

How Do Earth’s Spheres Interact?

• Matter and Energy– 1. By exchange of matter.

• Water Cycle– Water evaporates into the

atmosphere.– Water condenses forming clouds.

• Nitrogen Cycle– Bacteria release nitrogen into the

soil from the atmosphere.– Plants use nitrogen to grow.

I will be able to describe the parts of Earth’s System and explain how matter and energy are transferred through it.

How Do Earth’s Spheres Interact?

2. By exchange of energy• Moves back and forth between

spheres.• Plants use solar energy to make

food.• Animals eat plants for energy.• Solar Energy

– Drives winds and Weather

I will be able to describe the parts of Earth’s System and explain how matter and energy are transferred through it.

What is the Source of Earth’s Energy?

• Earth’s Energy– Most comes from the Sun.– A tiny fraction• Ocean Tides• Geothermal– Lava & Magma

– Moves or Changes form– Not created or destroyed.– Transferred between spheres

I will be able to describe the parts of Earth’s System and explain how matter and energy are transferred through it.

What is the Source of Earth’s Energy?

• Energy Budget– A way to keep track of

energy transfers into and out of Earth’s system.

– Unbalanced budget• Can increase or

decrease Earth’s temperatures.

I will be able to describe the parts of Earth’s System and explain how matter and energy are transferred through it.

What can disturb Earth’s Energy Budget?

• Disturbed Energy Budget– 1. Increasing Greenhouse

gases.

– 2. Melting Polar Ice Caps

I will be able to describe the parts of Earth’s System and explain how matter and energy are transferred through it.

What are the Branches of Earth Science?

• 5 Branches

I will be able to define matter and describe the properties of matter.

Oceanography

Environmental

Geology

Astronomy

Meteorology

What are the Branches of Earth Science?• Astronomy– The study of the

universe beyond Earth.– Astronomers study:• Stars• Planets• Galaxies• History of the

Universe.

I will be able to define and describe the five branches of Earth Science.

Reason for tides

Different Galaxies

The Sun

Mars

Planets

Stars

Reason for Seasons

Telescopes

Reason for night/day

Astronomer

What are the Branches of Earth Science?• Environmental Science– The study of Earth’s

environment and resources and the effect of human activities

– Environmentalists or ecologist study problems like:• Pollution• Global Warming

I will be able to define and describe the five branches of Earth Science.

Global Warming

Conservation of Earth’s resources.

Effects of oil spills

Effects of landfills

Effects of fertilizer on

ground water.

Melting Ice Caps Air Pollution

Greenhouse effect

Ecologist

What are the Branches of Earth Science?

• Geology– The study the solid

Earth.– Geologists study the

forces that shape Earth.

I will be able to define and describe the five branches of Earth Science.

Volcanoes Seismic Waves

Formation of Mountains

Predicting Earthquakes

Effects of Soil Erosion

MineralsInside of Earth

Natural ResourcesGeologist

What are the Branches of Earth Science?

• Meteorology– The study of Earth’s

atmosphere.• Meteorologists

gather information about conditions in the atmosphere from around the world.• Forecast weather.

I will be able to define and describe the five branches of Earth Science.

Meteorologist Chasing Tornadoes

The Ozone Layer

The Layers of the

Atmosphere

Wind Patterns in North

WalesPredicting the

Weather

Predicting Hurricanes

What are the Branches of Earth Science?• Oceanography– The study of

Earth’s oceans.• Oceanographers

study:– Chemistry of

the ocean.– Shape of the

ocean floor.– Organisms

living in them.

I will be able to define and describe the five branches of Earth Science.

Studying Tsunamis

Cold/Warm Ocean Currents

Ocean life zones

Recording tides

Wave patterns at the beach

Studying the Intertidal Zone

Studying what makes up

ocean water.

Coral reefs

Ocean floorOceanographer