Lesson 4: EARTH SUBSYSTEMS

BUENA P. CABRERA
SUBJECT TEACHER
 OBJECTIVES:

1. Explain each of the subsystems of the Earth;

2. Discuss the historical development of the concept of
“Earth System”;
3. Improve one’s frugality in using resources
 INTRODUCTION (10 mins.):

What have you remembered about the

concept of Ecosystem?
Label the different processes and phases of water
involved in the water cycle:
ACTIVITY:

Make a list of all living things you

can find outside
 MOTIVATION (5 mins):

What do you know about El Niño?

Have you experienced it?
 EL NIÑO PHENOMENON

 El Niño means Little Boy, or Christ Child in Spanish. South American

fishermen first noticed periods of unusually warm water in the Pacific
Ocean in the 1600s. The full name they used was El Niño de Navidad,
because El Niño typically peaks around December.
 Not just atmospheric conditions - result of hydrosphere-atmospheric
interaction.
 INSTRUCTION (30 mins):

SYSTEM – a set of interconnected components that are

interacting to form a unified whole.
The EARTH SYSTEM is essentially a closed system. It
receives energy from the sun and returns some of this energy
to space.
A close system occurs when there is no exchange of heat or
energy and no exchange of matter.
COMPONENT
S OR
SUBSYTEMS
OF THE
EARTH
SYSTEM:
 GROUP ACTIVITY:

Distributehandouts to each group and let them discuss

among them the information at hand.
 Choose a representative to report their gathered
information to the class.
 ATMOSPHERE:

A thingaseous layer that envelopes the lithosphere;

78% nitrogen (N), 21% oxygen (O), 0.9% argon and trace
amounts of other gases;
Heat of the Earth’s surface is redistributed through
atmospheric circulation;
Constant exchange of heat & moisture bet. atmosphere &
hydrosphere – atmospheric circulation
ATMOSPHERE:
 GEOSPHERE:

Not only the visible layer, extends to the center of the Earth;
Has a depth of 6400 km. - largest/major sphere
Layers: crust, mantle, the metallic liquid outer core and the
solid metallic inner core
Note: Lithosphere only refers to the crust and top portion of
the upper mantle
ATMOSPHERE:
 HYDROSPHERE:

About 70% of the Earth is covered with liquid, much of it

is in the form of ocean water;
Only 3% is fresh water: 2/3 is in ice form; 1/3 is in
streams, lakes and groundwater;
Heat is absorbed and redistributed through ocean
circulation
ATMOSPHERE:
 BIOSPHERE:

Includes all living organisms that can be found 1 km above sea

level to the deepest parts of the oceans;
 Extend to any place where life of any kind might exist;
The base of food chain comprises photosynthetic organisms
where carbon dioxide is withdrawn from the atmosphere,
oxygen is the byproduct;
Carbon dioxide sink – important to the carbon cycle
 BIOSPHERE:

Carbon dioxide sink – important to the carbon cycle

For those that thrive in the deep-sea floor beyond the reach
of sunlight, the base of food chain is called chemosynthetic
organisms. Instead of sunlight, they use energy from
hypothermal vents to produce simple sugars.
ATMOSPHERE:
ADDITIONAL:
 EVALUATION (10 mins):

In your journal, make a creative drawing showing the

interactions of the four (4) subsystems of the Earth. Write
an explanation of your output in 5 to 10 sentences only.
EVALUATION (10 mins):
 ASSIGNMENT:

Prepare for a long test next meeting.