1. The Systems Concept
River
Lake
Watershed
Ridgetop
Sediment
Sed. Rock
A system is any part of the universe that can be separated to make observations.
Lindsley, 8/99

2. Isolated System - no exchange of energy or matter
Closed System - energy may be exchanged.
Open System - both energy, matter exchanged.
Lindsley, 8/99

3. Open System: sunlight and water enter from outside, heat and water leave the island
Lindsley, 8/99

4. Earth approximates a closed system
The resources we have are ALL we will ever have.
Energy enters as solar radiation, leaves as heat
Almost no matter enters or leaves
Lindsley, 8/99

5. 4 Main Subsystems of Earth
Biosphere = life
Atmosphere = air (gases)
Lithosphere = outer rigid shell of rock
Hydrosphere = water
Lindsley, 8/99

6. Earth is unique because of its water
Earth is the only terrestrial planet whose temperature cycles around the freezing point of water.
Lindsley, 8/99

7. Water
and its
Phases
Lindsley, 8/99

8. Conditions on Earth allow water to exist in all 3 of its phases
Lindsley, 8/99

9. Lindsley, 8/99

10. Lindsley, 8/99

11. Lindsley, 8/99

12. Lindsley, 8/99