Geoscience CPC
CLARE
The Earth System of Interacting Spheres
Study Guide
Format: multiple choice, short answer, fill in the blank, true-false (correct the
false), open response
The Earth System & Spheres
Vocabulary: System, Atmosphere, Geosphere, Hydrosphere, Biosphere,
Open System, Closed System
 How is Earth a “system”? What does it mean to be a system?
 What is the difference between an OPEN and CLOSED system in terms of
matter? Give an example of an OPEN SYSTEM and a CLOSED SYSTEM.
 Why is Earth considered an almost closed system?
 Why is a lake considered an open system?
 What are the four spheres that make up the Earth system?
 Be able to define and give examples of each of the spheres.
 Give examples of how matter and/or energy are transferred from one sphere
to another in the Earth system (You will have a cycle diagram to for this
task).
Open-Ended Questions on the Quiz
OCEAN ACIDIFICATION: Explain the problem in terms of a SYSTEM.

How has a change in one sphere caused a change in another sphere? (See
the flow chart from your assignment).
o What is ocean acidification?
o What causes it?
o What are the results of ocean acidification in other spheres?
RARE EARTH VIDEO: Provide examples from Earth’s history of how a change
in one sphere caused a change in another sphere.