Chapter 1: Earth as a System Earth Science Chapter 1: Earth as a System

Chapter 1.1 – A New View of Earth

Past vs. Present Approaches Scientist studied Earth as a series of parts Specializing in specific areas

Past vs. Present Approaches Scientist studied Earth as a series of parts Specializing in specific areas Recently scientist began studying Earth as a whole - called: Earth System Science

Describe how Earth System Science is different from past approaches

Models Scientists use models as a representation of an object, process or phenomenon. Especially when something is really big or small. i.e. globes, maps, atomic structure.

Give another example of a model

Systems A kind of model 2 Types Open and Closed

Systems A kind of model 2 Types Open and Closed Open System: Both energy and matter enter and leave

Systems A kind of model 2 Types Open and Closed Open System: Both energy and matter enter and leave Closed System: energy may enter but matter doesn’t enter or leave

Earth as a Closed System Energy enters from the sun and is reflected back Hydrogen atoms enter space Meteorites enter the atmosphere However Earth’s mass remains relatively the same

Use the Venn Diagram to compare and contrast an open and closed system Why do scientists consider Earth an essentially closed system?

Chapter 1.2: The Earth System’s Four Spheres

The Earth System’s – Four Spheres Atmosphere Geosphere Hydrosphere Biosphere

Atmosphere Gaseous envelope Provides Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Blocks harmful radiation Water vapor creates humidity and clouds Atmospheric pressure cause wind

Geosphere Earth itself The Crust Mantle and core Includes: rocks, mountains, beaches, ocean basins Mantle and core

Hydrosphere All the water at or near the Earth’s surface Includes: oceans, lakes, rivers, groundwater, ice, and snow Most is salty 3% is fresh water – most is frozen ½ % is usable fresh water All water is continually recycled

Biosphere All living things on Earth Depends on the other spheres

Interactions among the Spheres Four sphere are constantly moving, changing, and interacting. Volcanoes, Plants, Humans, Erosion, Temperature changes

Chapter 1.3 – Cycles and the Earth

Water Cycle Continuous circulation of water through the hydrosphere The energy from the sun drives the cycle

Carbon Cycle A biogeochemical cycle Carbon – building block of life Is present in all living things Enters atmosphere as CO2 Plants remove CO2  release oxygen - phytoplankton in ocean

Energy Cycle Energy enters and leaves 3 Types

Energy Cycle Energy enters and leaves 3 Types 1. Solar – 99% of earths energy come from the sun

Energy Cycle Energy enters and leaves 3 Types 1. Solar – 99% of earths energy come from the sun 2. Geothermal – decay of radioactive materials – drives the movement of Earth’s lithosphere (volcanoes, geysers, earthquakes)

Energy Cycle Energy enters and leaves 3 Types 1. Solar – 99% of earths energy come from the sun 2. Geothermal – decay of radioactive materials – drives the movement of Earth’s lithosphere (volcanoes, geysers, earthquakes) 3. Tidal – pull of the moon and sun on ocean waves

Laws of Thermodynamics How heat energy is converted into other forms of energy.  How energy flows

1st Law Energy can never be created or destroyed.  Only change from one form to another Example: Solar energy can be stored in plants Plants die  fossil fuels

2nd Law When energy changes, it is converted from a more useful, more concentrated form to a less useful, less concentrated form.

Why is the energy budget more appropriately described as a balance, while the water and carbon cycles are more accurately described as circles?

1. An example of a biogeochemical cycle is the ____________?

An example of a biogeochemical cycle is the ____________? Carbon Cycle

2. Human being are part of the _____________, one of the four spheres of Earth.

2. Human being are part of the _____________, one of the four spheres of Earth. Biosphere

The largest source of energy for the Earth system is ______________?

The largest source of energy for the Earth system is ______________? Solar Energy

4. To understand how something works, scientists may create a ______________ of it.

4. To understand how something works, scientists may create a ______________ of it. Model

5. The name give to the study of Earth that looks at the planet as a whole is called _______________?

5. The name give to the study of Earth that looks at the planet as a whole is called _______________? Earth system science

6. A _______________ is a sequence of events that repeats.

6. A _______________ is a sequence of events that repeats. Cycle

7. A river and a pond are both parts of the ________________?

7. A river and a pond are both parts of the ________________ 7. A river and a pond are both parts of the ________________? Hydrosphere