2.  System An organized group of parts that work together to form a whole Think of a game system  What is needed for the game system to work  If I take away the power cord will the system still work  Closed system Something that matter can not enter or exit through (without extreme force) but energy can enter and exit Earth is an example of a closed system

3.  The closed system of Earth is made up of 4 open systems  Open System Something that both matter and energy can enter or exit through  Atmosphere Earth’s air  Hydrosphere Earth’s Water  Biosphere Earth’s Living Things  Geosphere Earth’s interior and its rocks and soil

4.  All water on Earth Oceans, lakes, glaciers, rivers, streams and underground  Almost ¾ of Earth is water  About 3% is fresh About 70% of this is frozen in glaciers and ice caps  Studied with Deep-sea vehicles Special buoys Satellite images Diving suits

5.  Mixture of gases and particles that surrounds and protects the surface of the Earth  About 78% Nitrogen  About 21% Oxygen  The rest contains carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other gases  Scientists study with Weather balloons Special planes Views from satellites

6.  Includes all features on Earths surface Continents, islands, sea floor, crust, mantle, inner and outer core  Scientists study with Satellite images Sound waves Computer modeling to develop pictures

7.  Includes all life on Earth, in air, on land, and in water  Studied with a variety of technology Satellite images Special tree platforms

8.  Biosphere interacts with different systems Forests act as “lungs” by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere  This is the carbon cycle Dead trees decay and return nutrients into the soil which is the geosphere  This is the nitrogen cycle  Atmosphere interacts with other systems Complex weather patterns (severe weather)

9.  Hydrosphere interacts with other systems Currents interact with wind patterns and affect the weather  Geosphere is constantly changing and interacting with other systems Volcano explodes and releases harmful gases into the Atmosphere