When you think of the Earth, what comes to mind?
Learning ObjectivesStudents will:
● Identify and sort images of the four spheres that comprise Earth system science.
● Collaborate to build different models to represent ESS.
● Compare and discuss the usefulness of each model for understanding the interconnections of the four spheres in ESS.
● Use their science notebooks to explain ideas and vocabulary by recording, illustrating and labeling their thinking.
● Identify and sort images of the four spheres that comprise Earth system science.
● Collaborate to build different models to represent ESS.
● Compare and discuss the usefulness of each model for understanding the interconnections of the four spheres in ESS.
● Use their science notebooks to explain ideas and vocabulary by recording, illustrating and labeling their thinking.
Key questions addressed by this unit include:
- What is Earth System Science?
- How can we describe Earth as a system?
- How are energy and matter exchanged among the four main components of the Earth system (atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere)?
- How does the Earth system change over time?
- How is life affected by changes in the Earth system?
| spheres_interactions.ppt |
| the-earths-spheres_2105.pdf |
| intro_earth_system_powerpoint.pptx |
Identity which two earth spheres are interacting in the picture below
The Four Systems of Earth
All things on Earth can be described as belonging to one of four systems: biosphere, hydrosphere,
geosphere, or atmosphere. Each of these systems serves an important function, but also works together
with the other systems.
Biosphere:
The biosphere includes all living things. This includes humans, animals, plants, and even
living bacteria. There is no singular location for the biosphere; wherever there is life, there is part of
our biosphere.
Hydrosphere:
The hydrosphere is all of Earth’s water. As you know, water can be in liquid or frozen
form, or be present at water vapor through evaporation. No matter the form, water makes up the
hydrosphere.
Geosphere:
This system is the inside and physical surface of the earth. We see the crust of Earth’s
surface, but below that is a layer called the mantle, which sits on top of the outer core and inner core.
While we do not see the mantle and core with our own eyes, we can see the geosphere when we look at
the ground and physical landforms around us. Mountains, caves, and rock formations are just some of
the components of the geosphere.
Atmosphere:
Earth’s atmosphere consists of all the gases that surround Earth. This includes air that we
breathe each day. It also includes greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
Interactions:
Each system has some effect or interaction with other systems. For example, we find life
in the ocean with fish. In this way the biosphere interacts with the hydrosphere. There are many ways
each of the systems interact.
ATMOSPHERE: Air (made up of many gases)
HYDROSPHERE: Sea, lagoon, ice-sheets and ice-caps, rainwater, etc
BIOSPHERE: Fish, trees and other life forms
GEOSPHERE : Rocks, mountains, sediments on the sea floor, etc
What is a system?
A system is a term used for any complex whole, with smaller connected parts working together. Usually, a change or malfunction of one part can affect other parts of the system, and also affect the system itself.
The Earth is a system .
It has four major parts all connected and working in harmony to make the planet function properly. These four parts are called Spheres. They are the Atmosphere, Geosphere, Biosphere, and Hydrosphere. Each sphere has its own function and it is constantly changing in a process called Cycles.
A system is a term used for any complex whole, with smaller connected parts working together. Usually, a change or malfunction of one part can affect other parts of the system, and also affect the system itself.
The Earth is a system .
It has four major parts all connected and working in harmony to make the planet function properly. These four parts are called Spheres. They are the Atmosphere, Geosphere, Biosphere, and Hydrosphere. Each sphere has its own function and it is constantly changing in a process called Cycles.
How do the Earth’s spheres interact?All the spheres in the system interconnect and overlap. No sphere works on its own.
Consider this diagram below.
GO BACK
Consider this diagram below.
- Think of the many ways that the hydrosphere and the atmosphere connect. Evaporation from the hydrosphere provides the medium for cloud and rain formation in the atmosphere. The atmosphere brings back rainwater to the hydrosphere.
- In what way do the geosphere and hydrosphere connect? Water provides the moisture and medium for weathering and erosion of rocks on in the geosphere. The geosphere, in turn, provides the platform for ice melts and water bodies to flow back into the oceans.
- The atmosphere provides the geosphere with heat and energy needed for rock breakdown and erosion. The geosphere, in turn, reflects the sun’s energy back into the atmosphere.
- The biosphere receives gases, heat, and sunlight (energy) from the atmosphere. It receives water from the hydrosphere and a living medium from the geosphere.
GO BACK
Hydrosphere
What is a Cycle?
A cycle is something that never stops. It has no beginning and has no end. An example is the water cycle, where the water goes through a basic journey: rains fall and end up in rivers, rivers end in the sea, sea water evaporates and forms rain clouds, and the rains fall again. Other important cycles include the carbon cycle, rock cycle, and nitrogen cycle.In
A cycle is something that never stops. It has no beginning and has no end. An example is the water cycle, where the water goes through a basic journey: rains fall and end up in rivers, rivers end in the sea, sea water evaporates and forms rain clouds, and the rains fall again. Other important cycles include the carbon cycle, rock cycle, and nitrogen cycle.In
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Geosphere - Rock system
