Earth as a SYSTEM

SYSTEM - A set of interconnected components that are interacting to form a unified whole.

EXAMPLE of a system- ECOSYSTEM.(Organisms are interrelated and interacting)

Water Cycle

The Earth system is essentially a CLOSED SYSTEM.

A closed system is a system in which

there is only an exchange of heat or

energy and no exchange of matter.

The Earth receives energy from the sun and

returns some of this energy to space.

Components or subsystems of the Earth

system

THE EARTH SUBSYSTEMSBiosphere Hydrosphere

Geosphere Atmosphere

Major Themes

SCALE ENERGY CYCLE

Scale Processes in the Earth system act on length scales of microns to thousands of kilometers, and on time scales of milliseconds to millions of years.

Major Themes

Energy The Earth system is powered by one external

source: the Sun

and two internal ones:

- radioactive decay- gravitational energy (heat still being lost

from planetary formation).

Major Themes

Cycles Material in the Earth system is continually

recycled in numerous overlapping cycles.

Major Themes

TheCarbonCycle

TheRockCycle

The Hydrologic (Water) Cycle

Includes all life forms on Earth

Biosphere

It covers all ecosystems—from the soil to the rainforest, from mangroves to coral reefs, and from the plankton-rich ocean surface to the deep sea.

Photosynthesis

The Carbon Cycle

James Lovelock used the "Daisy World Model" to illustrate how the biosphere is capable ofregulating its environment.

It’s Film showing Time !

The Albedo Effect …

Dynamic mass of water that is continuously on the move

Hydrosphere

Precipitation, Evaporation, Runoff, Infiltration, etc...

The Hydrologic (Water) Cycle

1. About 70% of the Earth is covered with liquid water (hydrosphere) and much of it is in theform of ocean water.2. Only 3% of Earth's water is fresh: two-thirds are in the form of ice, and the remaining one-third is present in streams, lakes, and groundwater.

Hydrologic Cycle

Condensation, Precipitation, Evaporation, Transpiration, Infiltration, Surface Runoff.

The atmosphere is the thin gaseous layer that envelopes the lithosphere.

Atmosphere

The present atmosphere is composed of 78% nitrogen (N), 21% oxygen (O2), 0.9% argon, and trace amount of other gases.

One of the most important processes by which the heat on the Earth's surface is redistributed is through atmospheric circulation.

The Solid Earth

extends from the surface to the center

Geosphere

Connect to Earth

Create a concept map which explains how the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere are interconnected.

Use arrows and simple illustrations.

Geosphere

Atmosphere

BiosphereHydrosphere

4.6 Billion Years of Interaction

The lithosphere includes the crust and the upper part of the mantle.

LITHOSPHERE

Layers of the Earth

CRUST (continental & oceanic)

MANTLE (upper & lower)

CORE (outer & inner)

Which layer is it?

CRUST

- It’s the light and very thin outer skin of the Earth.

- The outermost layer where energy and mineral resources are derived.

Different elements that compose the Earth’s CRUST

Oxygen 46.60

Silicon 27.72

Aluminum 8.13

Iron 5.00

Calcium 3.63

Sodium 2.83

Potassium 2.59

Magnesium 2.09

Titanium 0.40

Hydrogen0.14

MANTLE

- Less dense layer- Made up of silicate rocks,

mostly made of the elements silicon, oxygen, iron and magnesium.

CORE

- Denser layer- the Earth’s magnetic field - strengthens the idea that the

Earth’s outer core is molten/liquid.

Historical Development of the concept of EARTH

SYSTEM

Sources:1. Ms. Laguda ppt. (Regional SHS Mass Training of Grade 11 Teachers)2.TG Earth & Life Science