Earth as a System

What is Earth Science?What are the Earth System’s four Spheres?What are cycles and how do they work?

System: A kind of model often used to describe the natural world.

Closed System: ENERGY enters and may leave, but MATTER does not leave

Open System: ENERGY and MATTER are free to enter and leave

Is the Earth an Open or Closed System?

Earth is considered closed, there are a few exceptions: hydrogen escapes & meterorites enter.

Volcano Energy is released, matter released as lava Light bulb Electrical Energy enters, light is released Tree Sunlight, water, & Carbon Dioxide in, water and oxygen

released, seeds and leaves drop to ground Ocean Sunlight enters, water enters through runoff and

precipitation, water leaves through evaporation Boiling Water Heat enters, heat and vapors are released

OPEN or CLOSED?

PopulationResourcesImpact

Science helps educate us and find solutions!!!

Humans and the planet Earth

Atmosphere: gaseous envelope surrounding the Earth. Provides Oxygen & Carbon Dioxide, also absorbs and blocks harmful radiation. Where all weather occurs.

Geosphere: all physical features of the Earth (except water) such as rocks, mineral resources, metals, mountains, beaches, and lithospheric plates.

Hydrosphere: Includes all of Earth’s water including oceans, rivers, lakes, and groundwater, it is continually recycled. 97% salt water, 3% fresh water, 1% usable.

Biosphere: All living things

Discuss interactions among the Spheres

The Earth System’s four Spheres

Identify the 4 Spheres

Carbon Cycle

Carbon in our Earth

The movement of Energy into and out of the Earth System

A.K.A. The Energy Budget Balance is the Key: equal energy in and out

The Energy Cycle

Solar Energy

99.985% of total energy

It comes from nuclear reactions in the sun

Drives winds, ocean currents, waves, and weather.

Geo means Earth Thermal means Heat

0.013%

Drives the movement of Earth’s crust, Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Geysers

Important role in the Rock Cycle

Geothermal Energy

0.002% of the energy budget

Results from the moon’s pull on the Earth’s oceans

Powerful enough to slow down the Earth

Tidal Energy