1. Earth as a System

2. In the past, Earth Science was broken up into individual areas
Biology
Life
Geology
Earth (Rocks)
Oceanography
Oceans
Meteorology
Weather
Vulcanology
Volcanoes

3. Scientists realized that no area is in isolation.
Instead, they interact in a complex system

5. Humans can pollute the atmosphere and the oceans

6. Volcanoes can throw ash miles into the air

7. Sea-floor vents have become homes for ocean life

8. Earth System Science All of these separate areas interact
Earth cannot be looked at as different parts
How do they interact?
We need to create a model of the Earth’s Systems
We need:
Technology
Satellites
Computers
Submarines

9. Systems vs. Models
System: A piece of the Universe that can be studied separately from everywhere else.
Models are the way we describe a system. Models can be used to predict the past and future of systems.

10. Open vs. Closed Systems
There are two types of systems:
Closed
Open

11. Closed Systems Energy may enter, but mass must remain constant
Examples:
Closed Jars
Submarines

12. Open Systems Open systems may exchange both energy and matter
Examples:
Boiling water
Islands

13. Systems Open Closed Refrigerator City Classroom Light bulb Oceans
Earth

14. Earth is a (essentially) a closed system
Energy enters as light from the sun and stars
Energy leaves as heat and light
Matter enters as meteors
Matter leaves as Hydrogen atoms, satellites, rockets

15. Earth System Science is studied:
As individual and isolated parts
As a complex system involving many interactions

16. A system is…
A piece of the Universe that can be studied separately from everywhere else.
The way we describe a complex interaction.

17. A model is…
A piece of the Universe that can be studied separately from everywhere else.
The way we describe a complex interaction.

18. A closed system means that…
Energy may enter and leave, but mass must remain constant
Both energy and mass can enter and leave

19. An open system means that…
Energy may enter and leave, but mass must remain constant
Both energy and mass can enter and leave

20. Your body is a(n) ________ system.
Open
Closed