EARTH AND LIFE SCIENCE

Lesson 4 | ABM-1 | A.Y 2022 – 2023 | SEM 1

Earth’s Subsystem
ENERGY – The Earth system is powered by one
external source: the Sun
EARTH AS A SYSTEM
And two internal ones
 System – A set of interconnected components
that are interacting to form a unified whole.  Radioactive decay
 Gravitational energy (heat still being lost from
The Earth System is essentially a CLOSED SYSTEM planetary formation)
A closed System is a system in which there is only an CYCLE – Material in the earth system is continually
exchange of heat or energy and no exchange of matter. recycled in numerous overlapping cycles.
The Earth receive energy from the sun and returns some EARTH’S 4 SUBSYSTEM
of this energy to space.
1. Biosphere

 Includes all life forms on earth

COMPONENTS OR SUBSYSTEMS OF THE
EARTH SYSTEM It covers all ecosystems – from the spoil to the
rainforest, from mangroves to coral reefs, and from the
plankton – rich ocean surface to the deep sea.

2. Hydrosphere

 Dynamic mass of water that is continuously on

the move
MAJOR THEMES
1. About 70% of the earth us covered with liquid water
SCALE – Process that act on length scales of microns to
(hydrosphere) and much of it is in the form of ocean
thousands of kilometers, and on time scale of
water.
milliseconds to millions of years.
EARTH AND LIFE SCIENCE
Lesson 4 | ABM-1 | A.Y 2022 – 2023 | SEM 1
2. Only 3% earth’s water is fresh: two – thirds are in the 4. Geosphere
form of ice, and the remaining one-third is present in the
streams, lakes, and groundwater.  The solid Earth
 Extends from the surface to the center

Lithosphere – The lithosphere includes the crust and the

upper part of the mantle.

CRUST – The light and very thin outer skin of the Earth.

MANTLE – Made up of silicate rocks, mostly made of

the element’s silicon, oxygen, iron and magnesium

CORE – strengthens the idea that the Earth’s outer core

is molten/liquid.

3. Atmosphere

 The atmosphere is the thin gaseous layer that

envelopes the lithosphere.

The present atmosphere is composed of 78% of nitrogen

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