System An organized group of parts that work together to form a whole Think of a game system What is needed for the game system to work If I take away the power cord will the system still work Closed system Something that matter can not enter or exit through (without extreme force) but energy can enter and exit Earth is an example of a closed system
The closed system of Earth is made up of 4 open systems Open System Something that both matter and energy can enter or exit through Atmosphere Earth’s air Hydrosphere Earth’s Water Biosphere Earth’s Living Things Geosphere Earth’s interior and its rocks and soil
All water on Earth Oceans, lakes, glaciers, rivers, streams and underground Almost ¾ of Earth is water About 3% is fresh About 70% of this is frozen in glaciers and ice caps Studied with Deep-sea vehicles Special buoys Satellite images Diving suits
Mixture of gases and particles that surrounds and protects the surface of the Earth About 78% Nitrogen About 21% Oxygen The rest contains carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other gases Scientists study with Weather balloons Special planes Views from satellites
Includes all features on Earths surface Continents, islands, sea floor, crust, mantle, inner and outer core Scientists study with Satellite images Sound waves Computer modeling to develop pictures
Includes all life on Earth, in air, on land, and in water Studied with a variety of technology Satellite images Special tree platforms
Biosphere interacts with different systems Forests act as “lungs” by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere This is the carbon cycle Dead trees decay and return nutrients into the soil which is the geosphere This is the nitrogen cycle Atmosphere interacts with other systems Complex weather patterns (severe weather)
Hydrosphere interacts with other systems Currents interact with wind patterns and affect the weather Geosphere is constantly changing and interacting with other systems Volcano explodes and releases harmful gases into the Atmosphere