Earth Systems
What is a system?
System
• A system is a set of connected things
or parts forming a complex whole.
Open vs. Closed System
Open vs. Closed System
Open System – a system in which both energy and
matter are exchanged with the surroundings.
Closed System – a system in which energy, but not
matter, is exchanged with the surroundings.
Earth as Closed System
Earth as Closed System
Earth is a system of matter (stuff)
and energy (ability to do work).
Earth is a closed system because matter
does not enter or exit the system, but energy does.
• Sealed Jar vs. Aquarium
Earth’s Matter ??
• What are some examples of matter on Earth?
Energy on Earth ??
• What are some examples of energy on Earth?
Earth as Closed System
Earth is a closed system because matter
does not enter or exit the system, but energy does.
• What does this MEAN?
Earth’s Spheres
•What does ‘sphere’ mean?
Earth’s Spheres
Sphere: greek word for “ball”.
The names of Earth’s four spheres are derived from
ancient Greek. The Greek word for “ball” is spharia, from
which the word sphere is derived.
What does each Greek root word mean?
Greek Root Word
Sphere
Atmos
Geo
Bios
Cryo
Lithos
Hydro
Meaning
What does each Greek root word mean?
Greek Root Word
Meaning
Sphere
Ball
Atmos
Vapor
Geo
Earth
Bios
Life
Cryo
Icy cold, frost
Lithos
Stone, rock
Hydro
Water
Earth’s Spheres
Remember this?
Earth’s Spheres
• Can you start to name some of
Earth’s spheres?
REFLECTION
1) Describe how the spheres of the Earth connect to your
understanding of matter.
2) The Earth is a closed system. How does this relate to the
Earth’s spheres and matter?
Biosphere (life)
• All forms of life in geosphere/lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere
• Lithosphere: ex. wolves, people, spiders, bacteria
• Hydrosphere: ex. fish, whales, seaweed, coral, phytoplankton, plankton, bacteria
• Atmosphere: birds, bats, butterflies, bacteria
• Extends from deepest part of oceans to atmosphere
Geosphere (earth)
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•
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The mostly solid part of Earth
Sometimes referred to as Lithosphere (so don’t get confused!)
Rock and soil on Earth’s surface and on ocean floor
Solid and molten (liquid) interior
Lithosphere (rock)
• The lithosphere is the solid, outer part of the Earth. Part of the geosphere.
• The Earth consists of three main layers: the core, the mantle, and the crust,
which includes the continents and ocean floor.
• The lithosphere is about 100 kilometers (60 miles) deep in most places;
includes the brittle upper portion of the mantle and the crust.
• The lithosphere is always moving, but very slowly. It is broken into huge
sections called tectonic plates.
Hydrosphere (water)
• Earth’s water (except in gaseous form)
• Oceans, lakes, rivers, ground water glaciers, polar ice sheets, etc.
Cryosphere (frozen)
• Portions of Earth’s surface where water is in solid form
• Includes: sea ice, lake ice, river ice, snow cover, glaciers, ice caps,
ice sheets, and frozen ground (which includes permafrost)
• Included within the hydrosphere (so don’t get confused!)
Atmosphere (vapor)
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•
•
•
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Gases that surround Earth’s surface
Provides air we breathe
Protects from sun’s harmful radiation
Burns up meteoroids
Keeps us warm
Interactions of Four Spheres
• Spheres are closely connected
– Birds (biosphere) fly through air (atmosphere)
– Water (hydrosphere) flows through soil (geosphere)
– Dogs (biosphere) drink water (hydrosphere)
– Other examples?
Interactions of Earth’s Spheres
• Earth itself is a CLOSED system
• (know what that means!)
• Spheres are open systems
Interactions of Earth’s Spheres
• Matter and energy move between spheres in order to complete
certain CYCLES in Earth’s system
Via: Chemical reactions, radioactive decay, radiation (light and heat),
growth and decay of organisms
Energy Cycle, Water Cycle, Nitrogen Cycle, Carbon Cycle,
Phosphorous Cycle, and Rock Cycle
What is a Cycle?
• Cycle:
a series of events that are regularly
repeated in the same order.
Energy Cycle
Carbon Cycle
Water Cycle
Nitrogen Cycle
Rock Cycle