1. Chapter 1
Our Planet Earth
Chapter 2
Earth Systems

2. Earth is a complex place
Earth is a complex place. It is made up of air, water, land, and living things.
Earth is divided into five separate “Systems” to help better understand it.
Although each system is very different, they all interact with each other. What happens in one system affects the others.

3. Hydrosphere
Frozen Water
Cryosphere
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Geosphere

4. Atmosphere
A layer of invisible gases, solids and some water vapor that surrounds the planet
It extends from Earth’s surface up to the edge of space and is pulled to Earth’s surface by the force of gravity
It helps regulate Earth’s temperature
by trapping and releasing
thermal energy
from the Sun

5. Composition of Earth’s Atmosphere Gases – 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, 1% trace gases such as argon, carbon dioxide and ozone. Solids – small particles of dust, pollution, salt, ash, pollen

6. Liquids – water vapor ranges from 0-4% depending on the location example: the air over a large body of water will have more water vapor

7. Layers of the Atmosphere
The atmosphere is divided in layers according to differences in temperature
Different layers absorb or reflect the thermal energy from the Sun differently

8. Altitude is the distance from Earth’s surface.
Density describes how tightly packed the molecules are
As altitude increases,
the density of air
molecules decrease.
This means the
air gets “thinner.”

9. Troposphere
The first layer extends to approximately 10km (6 miles) from Earth’s surface
Contains all weather and living things
Temperature decreases (colder) as the altitude increases

10. Stratosphere
The second layer extends to approximately 50 km (30 miles) from Earth’s surface
The gases are stable (calm) and form flat layers

11. The stratosphere contains a gas known as ozone, which protects Earth by absorbing some of the harmful rays of the Sun.
Because ozone absorbs solar radiation, temperatures in the stratosphere increase as altitude in the stratosphere increases

12. The upper three layers of the Atmosphere Mesosphere -middle layer and coldest layer Thermosphere - hottest layer Exosphere - beyond is outer space

13. all the water on Earth’s surface and underground
Hydrosphere
all the water on Earth’s surface and underground
the amount of water on Earth never changes, it just flows from one location to another

14. A reservoir is a natural location of water.
97% of all water on Earth is salty
Fresh water picks up minerals and flows into the ocean making it salty

15. Only 3% of all water is fresh water and able to sustain life
It is found in lakes, rivers and underground

16. Cryosphere All the frozen (solid) water on Earth
79% of all freshwater is trapped in icebergs and glaciers
Snow is also considered a solid

17. Geosphere
The largest of Earth’s systems
All the solid parts of Earth found on the surface, underground and on the ocean floor
Consists of soil, metals, minerals and rocks

18. Biosphere
all living things on Earth
This system has no boundaries, living things are found in all the other systems, such as air, water, and soil