Environmental Science Chapter 3 Lecture Notes The Dynamic Earth Name: Hour: Date:

Chapter 3 Targets 1.I can describe the composition and structure of the 4 parts of the. 2.I can define. 3.I can describe how cause erosion and alter the Earth’s surface.

The Earth as a System The Earth is a system made of rock, air, water, and living things all interacting with each other. Scientists divide this system into four parts: 1.The (rock) 2.The (air) 3.The (water) 4.The (living things) T1

The Earth as a System 1.Geosphere: mostly solid, rocky part of Earth extending from of the core to the crust’s surface. 2.Atmosphere: mixture of making up air we breathe. 3.Hydrosphere: on or near Earth’s surface. –Much is in oceans, nearly. – found in atmosphere, on land, and in soil. T1

The Earth as a System 4.Biosphere: part of Earth where life exists. –thin layer at Earth’s surface extending above Earth’s surface down to bottom of ocean. –made up of parts of geosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. T1

Erosion Erosion: process in which are loosened, dissolved, or worn away and transported from one place to another by a natural agent, such as wind, water, ice or gravity. –Wears down rocks and makes them smoother as times passes. –Older mountains are smoother than younger ones. T2

Water & Wind Erosion Water: Erosion by both and –Waves from ocean storms erode coastlines to make a variety of landforms. –Over time, rivers carve deep gorges into the landscape. Wind: can also of planet. –Where few plants grow, such as beaches and deserts, wind blows soil away very quickly. –Soft rocks, such as sandstone, erode more easily than hard rocks, such as granite. T3

Chapter 3 Targets 4.I can describe the of the Earth’s atmosphere. 5.I can describe the of the Earth’s atmosphere. 6.I can explain three mechanisms of in Earth’s atmosphere. 7.I can explain the. 8.I can explain the difference between the and

The Atmosphere Atmosphere: mixture of gases. Earth’s atmosphere contains 3 main gases: – –Oxygen –Carbon dioxide Gases are added and removed from the atmosphere through. Think of 3 examples how this happens. T4

The Atmosphere Volcanic eruptions also to atmosphere. The atmosphere Earth’s surface: –slows rate at which Earth’s surface loses heat –keeps Earth temperature at which living things can T4

Composition of the Atmosphere makes up 78% of Earth’s atmosphere Enters atmosphere when: – volcanoes erupt –dead plants and animals decay. is second main gas in atmosphere, mainly produced by plants. The atmosphere many types of tiny, solid particles, or atmospheric dust (particulates). such as carbon dioxide, argon, methane, and water vapor make up rest of the atmosphere. T4

Layers of the Atmosphere Atmosphere is divided into 4 layers based on temperatures and distance from Earth: 1.The 2.The 3.The 4.The T5

The Troposphere & Stratosphere 1.Troposphere: lowest layer where temperature drops as altitude increases. –Part of atmosphere where conditions exist. 2.Stratosphere: lies above troposphere –Almost all (gas molecule made of 3 oxygen atoms) is concentrated here –Because ozone, it reduces amount of UV radiation that reaches Earth UV radiation that reaches Earth can damage living cells. T5

The Mesosphere & Thermosphere 3.Mesosphere: layer above stratosphere – layer of atmosphere where temperatures have been measured as low as –93ºC. 4.Thermosphere: atmospheric layer located from Earth’s surface –Nitrogen and oxygen absorb solar radiation resulting in temperatures measuring above 2,000 ºC. T5

Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere : energy transferred as electromagnetic waves, such as visible light and infrared waves. : transfer of energy as heat through a material. : movement of matter due to differences in density that are caused by temperature variations an can result in the transfer of energy as heat. T6

Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere T6

The Greenhouse Effect Greenhouse effect: warming of of Earth –occurs when carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor and nitrous oxides in the air absorb and infrared radiation. –Without the greenhouse effect, Earth would be for life to exist. T7

The Greenhouse Effect vs. Global Warming Greenhouse Gases: gases in atmosphere that trap and radiate heat –Most abundant greenhouse gases are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. –Amount of carbon dioxide and methane in atmosphere vary because of natural and industrial processes. Global Warming T8

Chapter 3 Targets 9. I can name the major processes in the cycle.

The Water Cycle Water cycle: constant from ocean to atmosphere to land and back to ocean. Evaporation: change of a substance from. –Water continually evaporates from Earth’s oceans, lakes, streams, and soil, but most evaporates from oceans. Condensation: change of state from a. Precipitation: any form of water to Earth’s surface from clouds. Includes rain, snow, sleet, & hail. Transpiration: process where of plants. T9

Comprehension Check Q: What is the difference between evaporation and condensation? A.Evaporation is the first stage of the water cycle; condensation is the last stage. B.Evaporation is the change from water to vapor; condensation is the change from vapor to water. C.Evaporation is the process where water is heated by the sea; condensation is the process where water droplets fall from clouds. D.Evaporation is the process where water vapor forms droplets; condensation is the process where water vapor forms clouds.