Earth as a System WHAT IS A SYSTEM? A system is any ordered, interrelated set of things and their attributes, linked by flows of energy and matter, as distinct from the surrounding environment outside the system. WHAT IS EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE? The view of Earth as a “collection of parts” The study of the interactions between and among events and Earth’s spheres A relatively new science (1988)

There Are Two Types of Systems: OPEN SYSTEMS: Both ENERGY and MATTER are exchanged with the surroundings CLOSED SYSTEMS: Only ENERGY, but NOT MATTER, is exchanged with the surroundings Review: What is matter?  Anything that has mass and takes up space

Earth as a Closed System

Earth is a system of MATTER and ENERGY (ability to do work) Earth is a closed system because MATTER DOES NOT enter or exit the system, but ENERGY DOES enter or exit Example: Sealed jar vs. Aquarium

Earth’s Spheres Matter on Earth is Liquid, Solid, or Gas Earth’s 4 Spheres “store” matter: 1.Atmosphere 2.Hydrosphere 3.Geoshpere 4.Biosphere -sphere The names of Earth’s four spheres are derived from the ancient Greek language. The Greek word for “ball” is spharia, from which the word sphere is derived. *Atmos = vapor *Hydro = water *Geo = Earth *Bio = Life

Atmosphere Gases that surround the Earth’s surface Provides the air we breathe Protects from sun’s harmful radiation Burns up meteoroids (rocky or icy fragment from space) Keeps us warm

Hydrosphere Earth’s water (97% salt water, 3% freshwater) Oceans, lakes, rivers, glaciers, polar ice sheets, etc. Water continually recycled

Geosphere Mostly solid part of Earth Rock and soil on Earth’s surface and on ocean floor Mineral resources, such as iron and copper, are mined from the geosphere

Biosphere All forms of life in geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere Extends from deepest part of oceans to atmosphere

Interactions of Earth’s Spheres Earth itself is a closed system Four spheres are open systems – Matter and energy are constantly exchanged between the spheres Matter and energy move between spheres in order to complete certain cycles in Earth’s system Spheres are closely connected – Birds (biosphere) fly through air (atmosphere) – Water (hydrosphere) flows through soil (geosphere) – Dogs (biosphere) drink water (hydrosphere) – Other examples?