Earth as a System

What is Earth Science?

What are the Earth Systems four Spheres?
What are cycles and how do they work?

Is the Earth an Open or Closed

System?

System: A kind of model often used to

describe the natural world.

Closed System: ENERGY enters and may

leave, but MATTER does not leave

Open System: ENERGY and MATTER are

free to enter and leave

Earth is considered closed, there are

a few exceptions: hydrogen escapes
& meterorites enter.

OPEN or CLOSED?

Volcano

Energy is released, matter released as lava

Light bulb

Electrical Energy enters, light is released

Tree

Sunlight, water, & Carbon Dioxide in, water and oxygen

released, seeds and leaves drop to ground

Ocean

Sunlight enters, water enters through runoff and

precipitation, water leaves through evaporation

Boiling Water

Heat enters, heat and vapors are released

Humans and the planet

Earth
Population
Resources
Impact

Science helps educate us and find solutions!!!

The Earth Systems four

Spheres

Atmosphere:

gaseous envelope surrounding the Earth.

Provides Oxygen & Carbon Dioxide, also absorbs and
blocks harmful radiation. Where all weather occurs.

Geosphere:

Hydrosphere:

Biosphere: All living things

Discuss interactions among the Spheres

all physical features of the Earth (except

water) such as rocks, mineral resources, metals, mountains,
beaches, and lithospheric plates.
Includes all of Earths water including
oceans, rivers, lakes, and groundwater, it is continually
recycled. 97% salt water, 3% fresh water, 1% usable.

Identify the 4 Spheres

Carbon Cycle

Carbon in our Earth

The Energy Cycle

The movement of Energy into and out of the
Earth System
A.K.A. The Energy Budget
Balance is the Key: equal energy in and out

Solar Energy
99.985% of total
energy
It comes from nuclear
reactions in the sun

Drives winds, ocean

currents, waves,
and weather.

Geothermal Energy
Geo means Earth
Thermal means Heat

0.013%

Drives

the movement of
Earths crust, Volcanoes,
Earthquakes, and Geysers

Important role in the Rock Cycle

Tidal Energy

0.002% of the energy budget

Results from the moons pull on the

Earths oceans

Powerful enough to slow down the Earth