Unit 1 Lesson 1 - Earth's Spheres

Module E Unit 1 Lesson 1 Earth's Spheres​

The Earth System

• Systems can vary from subatomic to the universe.

• Systems have boundaries. 

• Systems can have matter and energy that flow though them.

• The Earth is a large and complex system that works because of the combination of smaller interrelated systems.

The Earth System

• The interactions between matter and energy allow Earth’s systems to function.

• Matter: is anything that has mass and takes up space.

• Energy : is the ability to do work.
  

The Earth System

• Open system: A system is considered open when both energy and matter are exchanged with the systems surroundings.

• Closed system: A system is considered closed when energy but not matter is exchanged with the systems surroundings.

The Earth System

• Earth’s systems: The systems that make up the Earth system are open.  The Earth systems is mostly closed because matter exchange is limited.  Small amounts of dust and rocks can enter Earth’s system, and a small portion of hydrogen atoms in the system escape into space.

Multiple Choice

Matter is .....

• is anything that has mass and takes up space

• is the ability to do work.

• the largest population that an environment can support at any given time

• system a set of particles or interacting components considered to be a distinct physical entity for the purpose of study

Multiple Choice

Energy is .....

• is anything that has mass and takes up space

• is the ability to do work.

• the largest population that an environment can support at any given time

• system a set of particles or interacting components considered to be a distinct physical entity for the purpose of study

Geosphere

• Geosphere: the mostly solid, rocky part of the Earth; extends from the center of the core to the surface of the crust.

• The crust is mostly made of silicate minerals.

• There are two types of crust

  • Continental

  • Oceanic

Geosphere

• The mantle is the layer that lies below the crust.

• The mantle is made of very slow flowing solid rock. Has denser silicate minerals.

• Central part of Earth is the core. About 3,000 km across.

  • Mostly made of nickel and iron - very dense.

Match

Match the following characteristics with their correct Earth layer.

• Thin, rigid outermost layer of Earth.

• Hot layer of rock between Earth's crust and core.

• Earth's centermost layer. Extremely dense and hot.

crust

mantle

core

• crust

• mantle

• core

Multiple Choice

What is the correct order of the layers of the geosphere going from the surface to the center?

• core - mantle - crust

• crust - mantle - core

• mantle - crust - core

• core - crust - mantle

Hydrosphere

• Hydrosphere: the portion of the Earth that is liquid water.

• 97% of the earth’s water is salt water.

• 3% of the earth’s water is fresh water.

• The water on Earth is constantly moving into and out of living things.

Open Ended

Water can move into and out of living things, give an example of how this happens?

Poll

Why can't people drink most of Earth's water?

• Can't find it

• Can't access it

• It's salty

• It exists as water vapor

• Includes all of the frozen water on Earth.

• Snow, ice, sea ice, glaciers, ice shelves, icebergs, and permafrost.

• This sphere plays a crucial role in Earth's survival.

​

​Cryosphere

Open Ended

How are the hydrosphere and cryosphere different?

How are they the same?

Open Ended

Give two examples of how the cryosphere interacts with other Earth spheres?

Atmosphere

• Atmosphere: a mixture of gases that surrounds a planet, moon, or other celestial body.

• •The atmosphere contains the air we breathe and protects the Earth from the sun’s harmful radiation.

• •Atmosphere is made up of: •78% Nitrogen •21% oxygen •1% other gases

Atmosphere

• Minor gasses include argon, CO2, and water vapor.

• All the air we breathe.

• Traps energy from the sun that helps to regulate climate and keep living things alive.

• Also burns up space debris that enters the atmosphere.

Biosphere

• Biosphere: The part of Earth where life exists; includes all the living organisms on Earth

• Contains all forms of life found in the geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere

• Contains organic matter that has not yet decomposed

• Extends from the deepest parts of the ocean into the atmosphere a few kilometers above Earth’s surface

• Matter and Energy flow through all of the Earth's spheres.

• This is a constant dance - a stable transfer of energy and matter creates balance.

​

​Interactions between Earth's Spheres

Open Ended

Look at the image. Choose two of the spheres that are interacting in the image and explain the transfer of energy or matter that is happening.

Open Ended

Explain a way you interact or effect a sphere of Earth.

Draw

Trace the flow of some energy in this image.

Be ready to explain the path of the energy.

Unit 1 Lesson 1 - Review Questions

Please answer all of the questions. You may use your book as a resource.

Multiple Choice

Ice caps in the Antarctic and Artic are a part of the ________.

• geosphere

• cryosphere

• biosphere

Multiple Choice

Most of the water on Earth can be found in the ____________.

• biosphere

• hydrosphere

• geosphere

Multiple Choice

The _________ protects the organisms that live on Earth by blocking out harmful UV rays from the sun.

• hydrosphere

• geosphere

• atmosphere

Match

Match the following

• Forms a thin layer of gasses around Earth

• Extends from Earth's core to Earth's surface

• Extends from inside Earth's crust to lower atmosphere

• Includes all of the frozen water on Earth

• Includes all of the liquid water on Earth

atmosphere

geosphere

biosphere

cryosphere

hydrosphere

• atmosphere

• geosphere

• biosphere

• cryosphere

• hydrosphere

Multiple Select

What does the Earth system include?

• The exchange of energy between living things

• All of the matter, energy, and processes within Earth's boundary.

• The exchange or energy between non-living things

• The movement of heat energy from the core of Earth to the surface.

Multiple Choice

Which spheres are interacting when a volcano erupts and releases gasses into the air?

• geosphere and cryosphere

• hydrosphere and atmosphere

• hydrosphere and geosphere

• geosphere and atmosphere

Multiple Select

What are the two most abundant gasses in the atmosphere?

• oxygen

• carbon dioxide

• nitrogen

• xenon

• water vapor

Open Ended

How do Earth's spheres interact?

Multiple Choice

Which parts of the graph would increase if Earth's polar ice caps melt?

• Blue

• Green

• Orange

• Red

Multiple Choice

Which parts of the graph would decrease if Earth's polar ice caps melt?

• Blue

• Green

• Orange

• Red

Open Ended

Name two ways the Earth system relies on energy from the sun?

(Hint: What does the sun do for the Earth to help maintain a stability between or within the spheres?)

Multiple Select

Select examples from the image on how the biosphere relies on the other spheres for survival.

• the decomposing deer gives nutrients to the soil

• the ice melts and adds liquid water to the ocean

• Elk graze on the grass

• grass sucks up water from the soil

Poll

Most of Earth's water is in the oceans but we can't drink it. What must be done to the water so it is drinkable?

• It needs to be boiled

• The salts must be removed

• We can never drink it

• It must be cleaned