Spheres Atmosphere (“air sphere") Biosphere (“life sphere") Hydrosphere ("water sphere") Solid Earth ("rock sphere")

Atmosphere The envelope of air that surrounds the Earth

Atmosphere -what it does… The ATMOSPHERE supports life. absorbs energy from the sun recycles water and other chemicals provides a moderate climate. The ATMOSPHERE also protects us from high-energy radiation and the frigid vacuum of space.

Composition of the Atmosphere Other-1% Argon (Ar) Water (H2O) Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Ozone (O3)

Biosphere Includes all living things For example rainforests in South America grasslands and forests in North America whales in the ocean

Hydrosphere Includes all of the rivers, lakes and oceans on Earth Water in the atmosphere Water in the ground Here we see the ocean in different colors that show the different temperatures found on the ocean's surface. Water near the equator is warm (light blues). Water near the poles are cold (dark purples).

Solid Earth Includes the ground and the inside of the Earth

Spheres in Everyday Life Every time you breathe or fly a kite, you are contacting the ATMOSPHERE. When you play with your pets, you are contacting the BIOSPHERE. When you drink water or go swimming you are contacting the HYDROSPHERE. When you climb a mountain, or dig a hole, you are contacting the SOLID EARTH.

Earth as a System PBS Learning Video

Take out a piece of paper Title it Earth as a System Respond to the discussion question and be prepared to share your answer.

How do we affect each sphere? What are some things we do that impact each sphere? Do we help or hurt the earth?

The Water Cycle at Work

Water Cycle Hydrologic cycle Continuous movement of water from the atmosphere to the earth’s surface and back to the atmosphere.

The Water Cycle Never Stops Condensation Water vapor cools and forms clouds. Precipitation Snow, rain, sleet, and hail fall to the EARTH from clouds. 75% falls into oceans. 25% onto land and becomes runoff or ground water.

Evaporation The water turns from liquid into gas, and moves from oceans and lakes into the ATMOSPHERE 500,000 km3 each year 86% from oceans 14% from soil, lakes, streams

Transpiration Plants give off water vapor to the atmosphere

Other processes Runoff Groundwater Water flows over land into rivers. Water soaks deep into the soil and rock underground

Evaporation + Transpiration Evapotranspiration

The Water Cycle How do these changes happen? The sun is the driving force. Add heat to ice, it melts. Add heat to water, it evaporates. Evaporation turns liquid water into a gas called water vapor. Condensation turns water vapor into a liquid. If heat is taken away from liquid water, it freezes to become ice.

Where is all the water? Salt water in oceans Ice caps and glaciers 97.2% Ice caps and glaciers 2.15% Groundwater 0.62% Surface water 0.009% Soil moisture 0.005%

Another Water Cycle Diagram

Answer the following questions in complete sentences on separate paper. What fraction of the Earth’s water supply is fresh water?

The volume of water precipitated over land every year is 36,000km3 more than the volume that evaporates. Why isn’t all the land flooded?