Our Planet—Earth

Chapter Introduction Chapter Introduction Lesson 1: Earth Systems Lesson 2: Interactions Among Earth Systems Chapter Wrap-Up

What are Earth systems and how do they interact?

What can you see? From space, it’s easy to see why Earth is called the blue planet. But there is more to Earth than oceans of water. What other parts of Earth can you see in the photo? How would you describe Earth to a friend? Image courtesy Jacques Descloitres - MODIS Land Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC

Chapter Project Campers in the Mist Design Pics/David Chapman/Getty Images In this activity you will develop a terrarium to model the water cycle. Get Started! Begin by discussing the water cycle with your group. Use the following questions to guide your discussion. What is the water cycle? What processes make up the water cycle? Define each one in your own words. What changes of state does water go through in the water cycle? What factors drive the water cycle? How do Earth systems interact in the water cycle?

Chapter Wrap-Up Lesson 1: Earth Systems Earth is made of the biosphere, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, and the geosphere. The atmosphere has a layered structure that includes the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, the thermosphere, and the exosphere. It is made of nitrogen, oxygen, and trace gases. Water is found on Earth in oceans, lakes, and rivers and as ice and groundwater. The geosphere is made of soil, metal, and rock. It has a layered structure that includes the crust, the mantle, and the core.

Lesson 2: Interactions Among Earth Systems Chapter Wrap-Up Lesson 2: Interactions Among Earth Systems The water cycle shows how water moves between reservoirs of the hydrosphere, the atmosphere, the geosphere, and the biosphere. Weather and climate are influenced by transfers of water and energy among the atmosphere, the geosphere, and the hydrosphere. Rocks continually change form as they move through the rock cycle. Processes such as weathering and erosion are examples of interactions among Earth systems.

Earth, Our Planet When we talk about our planet Earth, what parts are we describing? Circle the answer that best describes our planet, Earth. A. Only the land parts. B. Only land and air parts. C. All of the land and water parts.

Earth, Our Planet D. The land, water, ice, and air parts. E. The land parts and some of the water parts. F. The land and ice parts, and some of the air parts.