1. Chapter 2 Earth-System
Systems- a set of particles or interacting components considered to be a distinct physical entity for the purpose of study.
All systems are linked
Systems are interrelated
All systems have boundaries
Earth System is a result of interaction between two basic components:
Matter- anything that has mass and takes up space.
Energy- the ability to do work.
A system can be described by the way matter and energy are transferred within a system.

2. Earth System
The three main components of the Earth are the atmosphere, its gaseous envelope, the hydrosphere, the surface coating of water, and of course, the solid earth. All three are subdivided into subsystems. The atmosphere and hydrosphere get their energy mostly from the Sun, and the solid earth gets its energy from internal heat, some of which is produced by radioactive decay and some is left over from the formation of the earth. A tiny amount of energy also comes from gravitational interactions between the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun.

3. Types of Systems
Closed System- system in which energy, but not matter, is exchanged with the surroundings.

4. Types of Systems
Open System- a system in which both matter and energy are exchanged with the surroundings.

5. Earth System
Technically, all systems that make up the Earth’s system is open. Though, the Earth’s system is almost a closed system because matter exchange is limited.
Atmosphere

6. Plate Tectonics as a System
Earth’s Systems
Plate Tectonics as a System

7. Earth Systems
External vs. Internal

8. Earth’s Spheres Atmosphere- mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth.
Hydrosphere- portion of Earth that is water.
Geosphere- mostly solid, rocky part of the Earth.
Biosphere- part of the Earth where life exists.

9. Earth’s Energy Budget

10. Earth’s Energy Budget
Internal Source- heating on the inside of the Earth caused by radioactive decay and gravitational contraction.

11. Carbon Cycle Nitrogen Cycle
Cycles
Carbon Cycle
Nitrogen Cycle

12. Carbon Cycle Carbon (C) – element with 6 protons
Building blocks for hydrocarbons = organic compounds
Organic compounds – leads to processes and structures that support life on Earth

13. Carbon Cycle
Carbon moves through the environment on a daily bases. Cause, affect and demise.

14. Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen (N) – element with 7 protons
Nitrogen based compounds essential to protein building in animal tissue

15. Free nitrogen in the air
Primary consumers eat and incorporate nitrogen
Secondary and Tertiary consumers eat primary consumers
Decomposers break down waste, detritus, and decay
Nitrogen is absorbed by primary producers (plant life)
Bacteria release some free nitrogen into the air
Some nitrogen would remain in the ground
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules of plants

16. Hydrologic Cycle
Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation and Run-off.

17. Chapter 2 Ecology
Ecology- the study of the complex relationships between living (biotic) things and their nonliving, or abiotic environment.
Science that links life science with earth science.
Ecosystem- a community of organisms and their abiotic environment.
Producers- plants- use energy from the sun to produce their own food.
Consumers- organisms that get their energy from eating other organisms.
Decomposers- organisms that get their energy by braking down dead organisms.

18. Ecology Balancing Forces In Nature
Organisms use energy and matter in their ecosystem.
Energy and matter in an ecosystem are limited
Carry capacity- largest population that an environment can support at any given time.
Food Chains and Food Webs
Chains- sequence Webs-Relationships