1. The Energy Systems of the Earth

2. Facts about Energy Energy is the existence of heat and/or light.
Energy can not be created or destroyed
Energy can be transferred from one system to another
Matter and energy are constantly being exchanged between the spheres

3. Where does the energy come from?
External sources of energy.
The Sun:
heat from the sun warms the Earth’s atmosphere and the Earth’s surface.
The Sun’s heat causes movement of air and water through convection.
Moon’s gravitational pull
causes water movement in the form of tides.

4. Where does the energy come from?
Internal Sources of Energy
Heat is generated inside the earth.
Radioactive decay – atoms losing their protons and neutrons will generate heat
Gravitational contraction – gravity pulling in causes heat
This heat is moved to the mantle of the earth and moves throughout the mantel by convection.

5. One System transfers energy to another system

6. Atmosphere & Hydrosphere/Cryosphere
Solar energy is absorbed by water (matter) on the earth’s surface and becomes a gas (water vapor).
As water vapor (matter) is condensed into water (precipitation) high in the atmosphere, energy (heat) is released to the atmosphere

7. Hydrosphere & Geosphere
Moving water (energy) can change the shape of the geosphere (matter)
Heat from the geosphere (energy) can be absorbed by water on the earth’s surface and the water will become water vapor (matter)

8. Atmosphere & Geosphere
Moving air, wind, (energy) change the shape of the geosphere (matter)
Heat from the geosphere (energy) is released into the atmosphere along with dust particles and gases (matter)

9. Radiation
Energy that travels from the Sun to the Earth by means of invisible waves
Radiation requires no medium
Our ozone layer of the atmosphere absorbs the ultraviolet radiation from the sun
Radiation is reflected, scattered or absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere and surface
The Earth re-radiates or emits the absorbed radiation.

10. Conduction Heat transfer in solids or from one solid to another
When molecules of a solid become heated they move faster and bump into the next molecule causing that to move faster. This is the transfer of heat.
Good conductors: substances that have their molecules closer together.

11. Convection
Convection is the transfer of heat energy through fluids – liquids and gases
Heated gases or liquids will become less dense and rise.
Heated gases or liquids that rise will expand and cool, then sink back to the surface.
This creates a circular movement of the gas or liquid.