1. Physical Processes of Earth
Unit 1
Physical Processes of Earth

2. Section 1
Physical Systems

3. Hydrosphere – watery areas of the Earth
Atmosphere – layer of gases extending about 6,000 miles above the planet’s surface
Biosphere – part of Earth that supports life
Lithosphere – land areas of the Earth
Continental Shelf – part of a continent that extends underwater

4. 6. Continental Drift – theory that the continents slowly separated from Pangaea
7. Plate tectonics – activities that occur causing the Earth’s surface to change
8. Erosion – wearing away of the Earth’s surface by wind, water, and glaciers
9. Evaporation – changing of liquid water into vapor or gas
10. Condensation – water vapor turns into liquid water

5. Brainstorming
On a scrap piece of paper write down 3 things you already know about the following:
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Hydrosphere
Lithosphere
There should be a total of 12 facts!

6. What are Physical Systems?
create, maintain, and modify features that make up the Earth’s surface
Four Systems generate the surface
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Hydrosphere
Lithosphere

7. What makes up the atmosphere?
gases above the planet’s surface
78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, 1% other small gases

8. What is the Biosphere? supports life on Earth
All people, plants, and animals live here

9. Description of the Hydrosphere
any watery area of Earth
Includes oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, and other bodies of water

10. What is the Lithosphere?
Land areas of Earth
makes up 30% of the Earth
Mountains, plains, forests, etc.

11. Checking for Understanding
Create a 4x4 chart using the physical systems we just discussed in class
First row should include the names of the systems
Rows 2-4 should include one characteristic about the systems above
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Hydrosphere
Lithosphere 1 2 3

12. What is Earth made of? 3 Layers Core (very hot) Mantle
Crust (Where we live)

13. How did the continents form?
Crust is broken up into more than a dozen slabs called plates
Plates were once all together making up a supercontinent known as Pangaea
Plates began to drift apart (continental drift) and this started millions of years ago

14. What are the effects of this movement?
The major effect of this movement is the transformation of the Earth’s surface
Examples of these transformations are:
Volcanoes
Mountains
Rivers
Tsunami’s
Earthquakes

17. Earthquake

18. Fault Lines/Folds

19. Assignment Answer the following questions in paragraph form:
Paragraph 1 – Describe, in detail, how plate tectonics has caused major changes in the earth’s surface. Give examples
Paragraph 2 – Explain how the changes mentioned in paragraph one are dangerous to humans. Be specific
Paragraph 3 – What things have humans done to be more prepared for such changes? Give 3 examples

20. What are the three Rock types?
Igneous – crystalizing and solidifying of hot molten magma
Sedimentary – formed from pre-existing rock pieces or organisms
Metamorphic – rocks that have been changed by heat and/or pressure

21. Earth’s Water Cycle water is constantly moving:
ocean to the air (evaporation)
air to the clouds (condensation)
clouds to the ground (precipitation)
ground back to oceans (run-off)

23. Predictions
What is the process for getting fresh drinking water?

24. Ocean Water to Freshwater
ocean water is too salty!
process of making freshwater from ocean water is called, desalination
97% of the world is Salt Water, 3% of the world is Freshwater

25. What do you know? Get out a half sheet of paper:
You have 20 seconds to write down one fact about the physical processes
Repeat 8 times: Rotate the papers with people around you
You are NOT allowed to have the same thing twice on a piece of paper

26. End of Section 1
Quiz Tomorrow!