1. Earth in Space Preview Section 1: The Solar System
World Geography Today
4/30/2019
Earth in Space
Preview
Section 1: The Solar System
Section 2: Earth-Sun Relationships
Section 3: The Earth System
Chapter Wrap-Up
Chapter 2

2. Section 1: The Solar System
Read to Discover
What is Earth’s position in the solar system?
How do rotation and revolution affect Earth?

3. Section 1: The Solar System
Question
What planets and stars make up our solar system?

4. Section 1: The Solar System
Mercury
Earth
Jupiter
Uranus
Sun
Venus
Mars
Saturn
Neptune

5. Section 1: The Solar System
Earth’s Position in the Solar System
One of eight planets
Third planet from the Sun
Fifth-largest planet
In elliptical orbit around the Sun

6. Section 1: The Solar System
Rotation and Revolution
Rotation and revolution affect the amount of solar energy Earth receives at different locations.
Rotation of Earth on its axis produces day and night.
Revolution around the Sun takes one year.
Revolution and the tilt of Earth on its axis determine seasons.

7. Section 2: Earth-Sun Relationships
Read to Discover
How does the angle of the Sun’s rays affect the amount of solar energy received at different locations on Earth?
What are solstices and equinoxes?

8. Section 2: Earth-Sun Relationships
Angle of the Sun’s Rays
Direct vertical rays of sunlight concentrate solar energy in a smaller area, making more heat.
Angled rays spread solar energy out, making less heat.
Earth’s tilt makes direct rays most common near the equator and less common at high latitudes.
Change in the Earth’s tilt creates seasons.

9. Section 2: Earth-Sun Relationships
Question
What are the Earth’s solstices and equinoxes?

10. Section 2: Earth-Sun Relationships
Solstice
Equinox
Time twice a year when Earth’s poles point at their greatest angle toward or away from the Sun
Time twice a year when Earth’s poles are both at a 90° angle from the Sun

11. Section 2: Earth-Sun Relationships
World Geography Today
4/30/2019
Section 2: Earth-Sun Relationships
Solstices and Equinoxes
Solstices—About December 21 and June 21
Earth’s poles tilted toward or away from the Sun
Longest or shortest days of the year, depending on
hemisphere
Equinoxes—About March 21 and September 2
Earth’s poles not tilted toward or away from the Sun
Equal amount of sunlight in both hemispheres
Chapter 2

12. Section 3: The Earth System
Read to Discover
What are Earth’s four spheres?
How is Earth’s environment unique in the solar system?

13. Section 3: The Earth System
Question
What are the four parts of the Earth system?

14. Section 3: The Earth System
Earth’s Four Spheres
Atmosphere—Envelope of gases surrounding Earth; least dense and outermost sphere
Lithosphere—Solid crust of the planet; forms continents, islands, and ocean floor
Hydrosphere—Earth’s water; 70 percent of Earth’s surface, including water in liquid, solid, and gaseous forms
Biosphere—All life-forms; overlaps other three spheres

15. Section 3: The Earth System
Earth’s Unique Environment
No other planet in the solar system has such a complex environment.
Earth’s environment is the key to human survival and quality of life.

16. Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas
World Geography Today
4/30/2019
Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas
What term describes Earth’s shape?
How long does it take Earth to make one complete rotation on its axis? One complete revolution around the Sun?
When do the Sun’s most direct rays strike in the Northern Hemisphere? What effect does this have on temperatures there?
During the solstices, where do Earth’s poles point in relation to the Sun?
What is the Earth system?
Chapter 2