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Major Themes
Earth as a SYSTEM
The Earth system is essentially a CLOSED SYSTEM.

A closed system is a system in which SCALE ENERGY CYCLE

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.

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Components or subsystems
of the Earth system Major Themes

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.

SYSTEM - A set of interconnected components that are

interacting to form a unified whole.

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THE EARTH SUBSYSTEMS

Major Themes
Biosphere Hydrosphere
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).
EXAMPLE of a system- ECOSYSTEM.
Lithosphere Atmosphere
(Organisms are interrelated and interacting)

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Atmosphere
Major Themes Hydrosphere

Dynamic mass of The atmosphere is the

Cycles water that is thin gaseous layer
continuously on the that envelopes the
move lithosphere.
Material in the Earth system is continually recycled in
numerous overlapping cycles.

The present atmosphere is composed of 78%

nitrogen (N), 21% oxygen (O2), 0.9%
argon, and trace amount of other gases.

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Biosphere 1. About 70% of the Earth is covered with liquid

One of the most important processes by
water (hydrosphere) and much of it is in the
form of ocean water. which the heat on the Earth's surface is
Includes all life 2. Only 3% of Earth's water is fresh: two-thirds redistributed is through atmospheric
forms on Earth are in the form of ice, and the remaining circulation.
one-third is present in streams, lakes, and
groundwater.

It covers all ecosystems—from the soil to the

rainforest, from mangroves to coral reefs, The Hydrologic (Water) Cycle
and from the plankton-rich ocean surface to the
deep sea. Precipitation, Evaporation, Runoff, Infiltration, etc...

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LITHOSPHERE
Photosynthesis
The lithosphere rocks
of the crust and
The Carbon Cycle mantle, the metallic
liquid outer core, and
the solid metallic inner
core.

Condensation, Precipitation, Evaporation, Transpiration,

Infiltration, Surface Runoff.

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Connect to Earth MANTLE

Create a concept map which explains how - Less dense layer

the lithosphere, hydrosphere, - Made up of silicate rocks, mostly
atmosphere, and biosphere are made of the elements silicon,
interconnected. oxygen, iron and magnesium.
Use arrows and simple illustrations.

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4.6 Billion Years of

Interaction CRUST CORE
Lithosphere
- It’s the light and very thin outer - Denser layer
skin of the Earth. - the Earth’s magnetic field
- The outermost layer where energy - strengthens the idea that the
and mineral resources are derived. Earth’s outer core is molten/liquid.
Hydrosphere Biosphere

Atmosphere

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Layers of the Earth Different elements that

compose the Earth’s CRUST
CRUST (continental &  Oxygen 46.60
oceanic)  Silicon 27.72
 Aluminum 8.13
MANTLE (upper & lower)  Iron 5.00
 Calcium 3.63
 Sodium 2.83
CORE (outer & inner)
 Potassium 2.59
 Magnesium 2.09
 Titanium 0.40
 Hydrogen 0.14

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