Earth Science

Chapter 1: Earth as a System

Science is: Any system of knowledge which tries to observe, identify, understand and describe the nature of the Universe in whole or part.

Earth Science is the study of our entire planet, its past history, and how it has changed, its present activity, and the way that it will change in the future. What is Earth Science??

atmosphere Earth Science is the study of our planet’s interacting systems (the geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere), its place within the solar system, and the universe beyond the earth.

Chapter 1.2 The Earth’s Four Spheres Geosphere

Earth Systems Science

Matter and energy move back and forth between the different Earth Spheres, and the different spheres interact every day, all around you. Can you think of some examples of how this is so?

Geosphere and _______?

Atmosphere and ______?

Geosphere and _______?

_________ and _______?

Interactions among the Spheres Volcanoes (___________) erupt, sending ash and gases into the air (____________), and sending lava and ash down on surrounding forests (____________) and human habitations (____________).

Interactions among the Spheres Hurricanes (____________) Sweep across the ocean (____________), and onto the Land (____________), damaging The dwellings of people (____________) who live along The coast.

Interactions among the Earth’s spheres change the spheres to differing degrees. These impacts can be single events, temporary changes, or ongoing change.

A System is defined as: A part of the Universe that can be studied separately. What is a System? The Solar System

System models can be used to study what happened in the past, what is currently happening, and what might happen in the future. Galactic Collision

Two Types of Systems 1.Closed System: Energy may enter and leave, but matter does not. (examples?) 2.Open System: System and its surroundings freely exchange both matter and energy. (examples?) What is the Earth?

Earth Systems Science studies the flow of matter and energy in and out of the Earth’s open systems, or Spheres.

Cycles and the Earth A Cycle is a series of steps that repeats. Some cycles (water cycle) repeat over relatively short periods of time, while others repeat over millions of years. On Earth, the water cycle, energy cycle, carbon cycle, tectonic cycle and rock cycle “work” together to maintain a dynamic planet.

The Water Cycle

What is Happening?

The Carbon Cycle The Carbon Cycle is the biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged between the Biosphere, Geosphere, Hydrosphere, and Atmosphere of the Earth. The Carbon Cycle includes four major interconnected reservoirs that exchange Carbon. These reservoirs include the Atmosphere (mostly carbon dioxide), the terrestrial Biosphere, the Oceans, and Sediments and Fossil Fuels.