1. Unit 2: Subsytems Austin Lyles, Bret Montgomery, J Najera

2. EQ#1 What makes Earth a System? What makes Earth a System?

3. What is a system? A system is an assemblage of things to create a uniform purpose. A system is an assemblage of things to create a uniform purpose. The Earth can be defined as a system because it is an assemblage of other subsystems that keeps all things on Earth sustained. The Earth can be defined as a system because it is an assemblage of other subsystems that keeps all things on Earth sustained. The subsystems (The Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Biosphere, and Hydrosphere) are interdependent of one another, which means each of them rely on the others. The subsystems (The Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Biosphere, and Hydrosphere) are interdependent of one another, which means each of them rely on the others.

4. The interactions that can occur within the earth system often occur as a series of chain reactions. This means one interaction leads to another interaction, which leads to yet another interaction--it is a ripple effect through the earth's spheres. The interactions that can occur within the earth system often occur as a series of chain reactions. This means one interaction leads to another interaction, which leads to yet another interaction--it is a ripple effect through the earth's spheres.

5. –Most scientists believe that 3.5 billion years ago electrical discharges from lightning interacted with chemical compounds in the oceans to produce cells of living matter. Another vital part of why earth is a system is biosphere because it is part of the earth's crust, waters, and atmosphere that supports life

6. There is a system we have called a closed system which means it is isolated from its surroundings by a boundary that admits no transfer of matter or energy across it. There is a system we have called a closed system which means it is isolated from its surroundings by a boundary that admits no transfer of matter or energy across it.

7. Another main key of why earth is a system is because most of our planet is made up of liquid which is Hydrosphere that contains water on or surrounding the surface of the globe, including the water of the oceans and the water in the atmosphere. The hydrosphere is a Habitat for many of Earth’s creatures. A habitat is an environment in which a creature lives. Another main key of why earth is a system is because most of our planet is made up of liquid which is Hydrosphere that contains water on or surrounding the surface of the globe, including the water of the oceans and the water in the atmosphere. The hydrosphere is a Habitat for many of Earth’s creatures. A habitat is an environment in which a creature lives.

8. EQ#2 What specific traits define each subsystem, and how do the subsystems interact with one another?

9. Lithosphere The lithosphere, (or Geosphere) consists of all of the earth from core to crust. Without it, there would be no hydrosphere, atmosphere, or biosphere. The lithosphere, (or Geosphere) consists of all of the earth from core to crust. Without it, there would be no hydrosphere, atmosphere, or biosphere. The land is home to the dominant species of life on the planet (humans) as well as a decent amount of plant life. This is how the Lithosphere and the Biosphere are interdependent of one another. The life helps maintain the land, and the soil assists in providing food for Earth’s Inhabitants. The land is home to the dominant species of life on the planet (humans) as well as a decent amount of plant life. This is how the Lithosphere and the Biosphere are interdependent of one another. The life helps maintain the land, and the soil assists in providing food for Earth’s Inhabitants.

10. Biosphere The Biosphere encompasses all of the Life on the planet, from the smallest bacteria to the largest Blue Whale. The Biosphere encompasses all of the Life on the planet, from the smallest bacteria to the largest Blue Whale. Forms of life can exist in all of the subsystems. Without the biosphere, the rest of the earth would seem unneccesary, and empty. Forms of life can exist in all of the subsystems. Without the biosphere, the rest of the earth would seem unneccesary, and empty. Mammals exist on the Lithosphere, Fish in the Hydrosphere, while reptiles could exist in both of these. All forms of life depend on the gasses found in the Atmosphere. Mammals exist on the Lithosphere, Fish in the Hydrosphere, while reptiles could exist in both of these. All forms of life depend on the gasses found in the Atmosphere. 90-99% of life exists in the Hydrosphere. 90-99% of life exists in the Hydrosphere.

11. Hydrosphere The Hydrosphere consists of Fish, many reptiles, as well as countless plant life and microorganisms. It is important, because it is a habitat for much of the biosphere, and the majority of the biosphere requires water to survive. The Hydrosphere consists of Fish, many reptiles, as well as countless plant life and microorganisms. It is important, because it is a habitat for much of the biosphere, and the majority of the biosphere requires water to survive. 90-99% of life resides under our water, with much of it still undiscovered. 90-99% of life resides under our water, with much of it still undiscovered. The Hydrosphere interacts with the Lithosphere by means of tidal waves, other tidal activity, etc. The Hydrosphere interacts with the Lithosphere by means of tidal waves, other tidal activity, etc. Much of the Hydrosphere is responsible for erosion as well, which could over time reshape the land mass. Erosion is the movement of already broken down minerals by either wind or water currents. Much of the Hydrosphere is responsible for erosion as well, which could over time reshape the land mass. Erosion is the movement of already broken down minerals by either wind or water currents.

12. The Atmosphere This subsystem is vital to the survival of the Biosphere due to its gasses, which protect the biosphere from harmful UV rays. UV rays are harmful rays of radiation that come from the sun. Without the atmosphere, no human could completely survive them. This subsystem is vital to the survival of the Biosphere due to its gasses, which protect the biosphere from harmful UV rays. UV rays are harmful rays of radiation that come from the sun. Without the atmosphere, no human could completely survive them. The Atmosphere is approx. 600 miles long, and contains many different kinds of gasses. The most common is Carbon Dioxide, filling 85% of the atmosphere. The Atmosphere is approx. 600 miles long, and contains many different kinds of gasses. The most common is Carbon Dioxide, filling 85% of the atmosphere.

13. Videos! M.youtube.com/watch?v=5FooHD0atuc M.youtube.com/watch?v=5FooHD0atuc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlByH w_6ufU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlByH w_6ufU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlByH w_6ufU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlByH w_6ufU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnpF0 ndXk-8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnpF0 ndXk-8