1-2 What are the main parts of Earth Objective: Name and describe the three main parts of Earth: the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere

Key Terms sphere: round, three-dimensional object lithosphere: solid part of Earth hydrosphere: part of Earth that is water atmosphere: envelope of gases surrounding Earth

The Lithosphere Earth is spherical in shape. The prefix litho- means “stone.” The ground you walk on is part of the lithosphere. Mountains are raised parts of the lithosphere. Valley, found between mountains, are low areas of the lithosphere.

The Lithosphere The lithosphere includes the continents as well as the land under the oceans. Continents are very large land masses. The seven continents found on Earth today are: North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Antarctica, and Australia.

The Seven Continents

What is the solid part of the Earth called? Name: What is the solid part of the Earth called?

The Hydrosphere The hydrosphere includes all of the liquid water and ice on Earth. Salt water makes up about 97 percent of Earth’s water. Most of the salt water is found in the oceans. There are three major oceans on Earth: Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian. These are all interconnected to form one large world ocean.

The Hydrosphere The remaining 3 percent is fresh water. Fresh water is found mostly in rivers, lakes, glaciers, and the polar ice caps.

List the bodies of salt water. 2. Name: List the bodies of salt water.

The Atmosphere The air you breathe is part of the atmosphere. Nitrogen and oxygen make up most of the atmosphere. Organisms need these and other gases to live. The atmosphere also helps protect living things by blocking harmful rays given off by the Sun. These rays, called ultraviolet rays, cause sunburn, skin cancer, and eye damage.

What are the two main gases in Earth’s atmosphere? 3. Identify: What are the two main gases in Earth’s atmosphere?

Checking Concepts The ground you walk on is part of the ___. The air you breather is part of the ___. The ___ includes rivers, lakes, and oceans. Earth is a round, three-dimensional object known as a ___. Salt water makes up about ___ percent of the hydrosphere. There are ___ continents on Earth. There are ___ major oceans on Earth.

Thinking Critically 8. Interpret: Use the picture of the seven continents to answer the following questions: Which is the smallest continent? Which is the largest continent? 9. Analyze: Draw a pie graph that shows the percentage of salt water and fresh water on Earth.