Earth's Systems & Interactions-KB

What are the four major Earth systems?

• Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Biosphere, Geosphere
• Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere
• Land, Water, Ice, Wind
• Clouds, Rivers, Mountains, Soil

How does the Sun’s energy reach Earth?

• Convection
• Conduction
• Radiation
• Absorption

If Earth’s atmosphere suddenly reflected all incoming solar energy, what would happen?

• Earth would cool drastically.
• Earth's climate would not change.
• Earth would heat up.
• The ocean currents would speed up.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

Which of the following best describes how the greenhouse effect warms Earth?

• The ozone layer absorbs heat.
• Greenhouse gasses trap outgoing infrared radation.
• The sun emits more energy toward Earth when greenhouse gasses are present.
• Greenhouse gasses absorb the sun's heat.

How does the hydrosphere interact with the atmosphere to influence weather?

• The hydrosphere absorbs sunlight, causing the land to cool.
• The hydrosphere blocks heat from reaching Earth's surface, causing more snow.
• The hydrosphere prevents energy transfer between systems, so there is no weather.
• The hydrosphere stores heat and releases water vapor, forming clouds and precipitation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

How does energy from the Sun impact the geosphere? (hint: use process of elimination)

• It directly heats Earth's core.
• It causes processes like erosion and weathering.
• It has no effect on the geosphere, it only affects the biosphere.
• It causes volcanoes and geysers to erupt.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Which statement best describes how the biosphere and geosphere interact?

• The geosphere blocks sunlight from reaching the biosphere.
• The biosphere does not depend on the geosphere for survival.
• Plants grow in soil and break down rocks over time.
• The geosphere creates storms that impact the biosphere.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

A volcanic eruption sends ash into the atmosphere. How could this event affect multiple Earth systems?

• The air (atmosphere) would absorb more sunlight, causing warming.
• Living things (biosphere) adapt easily, so a volcanic eruption would only impact the water (hydrosphere).
• The oceans (hydrosphere) are unaffected, but the island (geosphere) is impacted by polluted air.
• The ash blocks sunlight (atmosphere), affects plant growth (biosphere), and may cool surface temperatures (geosphere).

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A hurricane forms over warm ocean water. Which system interactions explain the energy transfer among Earth's systems?

• The Sun heats ocean water (hydrosphere), which evaporates and fuels the storm (atmosphere), affecting land and ecosystems (geosphere & biosphere).
• The wind (atmosphere) starts to blow and the hurricane spins.
• The ocean currents (hydrosphere) get stronger due to earthquakes (geosphere) and cause the hurricane to form.
• The hurricane only moves energy in the hydrosphere. It does not transfer energy to other systems.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What waves have short wavelengths, more energy and can cause sunburn.

• Gamma Rays
• Ultraviolet Rays
• Tsunamis
• Infrared Waves