The Physical Elements of Environments Solar Energy WaterSoilAir Flora and Fauna © Karen Devine 2010

Solar Energy The sun is the earth’s source of heat, light and energy. The sun is the earth’s source of heat, light and energy. © Karen Devine 2010

Solar Energy Insolation is greater in the northern hemisphere in June and in the southern hemisphere in December. Insolation is greater in the northern hemisphere in June and in the southern hemisphere in December. © Karen Devine 2010

Solar Energy The sun’s rays reach the earth at different angles and this contributes to the differences in temperatures and seasons. The sun’s rays reach the earth at different angles and this contributes to the differences in temperatures and seasons. © Karen Devine 2010

Water Water is part of the earth’s hydrosphere. Water is part of the earth’s hydrosphere. © Karen Devine 2010

Water The water cycle is influenced by the energy of the sun. The water cycle is influenced by the energy of the sun. The water cycle experiences precipitation, infiltration, percolation, run-off, evaporation, transpiration and condensation. The water cycle experiences precipitation, infiltration, percolation, run-off, evaporation, transpiration and condensation. © Karen Devine 2010

The Water Cycle © Karen Devine 2010

Water Water is stored on the earth as: Water is stored on the earth as: a) oceans b) lakes c) rivers d) glaciers e) gas (in the atmosphere) © Karen Devine 2010

Soil The earth’s soils are part of the lithosphere. The earth’s soils are part of the lithosphere. The lithosphere consists of: The lithosphere consists of: a) the earth’s crust b) landforms c) rocks d) soils. © Karen Devine 2010

Soil The earth’s natural processes such as wind, ice, solar radiation and water constantly are weathering rocks and soils. The earth’s natural processes such as wind, ice, solar radiation and water constantly are weathering rocks and soils. This causes the erosion of materials and creates the earth’s landforms. This causes the erosion of materials and creates the earth’s landforms. © Karen Devine 2010

Air The earth’s air is a part of the gas which surrounds the planet. The earth’s air is a part of the gas which surrounds the planet. This is known as the atmosphere. This is known as the atmosphere. © Karen Devine 2010

Air Weather, rain, humidity, air pressure and wind are processes which are also part of the atmosphere. Weather, rain, humidity, air pressure and wind are processes which are also part of the atmosphere. © Karen Devine 2010

Flora and Fauna The earth’s flora (plants) and fauna (animals) are part of the biosphere. The earth’s flora (plants) and fauna (animals) are part of the biosphere. The biosphere includes all living matter, such as humans on the planet. The biosphere includes all living matter, such as humans on the planet. © Karen Devine 2010

Question Time? Name the 4 spheres that comprise the earth? Name the 4 spheres that comprise the earth? © Karen Devine 2010