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Earth as a System

Earth as a System. Essential Question: How does the Earth work to be a system?. System. Definition: A group of interdependent parts enclosed within a certain boundary.

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Earth as a System

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  1. Earth as a System Essential Question: How does the Earth work to be a system?

  2. System • Definition:A group of interdependent parts enclosed within a certain boundary. • The objective of Earth System Science is to understand how the Earth is changing and the effects for life on Earth, with a focus on enabling prediction and alleviation of undesirable effects. • Within the boundary of the earth is a group of four interdependent parts called subsystems.

  3. Biosphere • Definition:The part of the earth's crust, waters, and atmosphere that supports life. • Within the biosphere, living things form ecological communities based on the physical surroundings of an area. These communities are referred to as biomes. • The term "biosphere" was coined by geologist Eduard Suess in 1875, which he defined as; "The place on Earth's surface where life dwells.“ He like many other scientists engaged in the study of the biosphere, or ecology.

  4. Geosphere • Definition:The solid portion of the earth (distinguished from atmosphere, hydrosphere). • The word "lithosphere" will be used in reference to all land in Earth's system. • The solid, semi-solid, and liquid land of the lithosphere form layers that are physically and chemically different. • The word "lithosphere" can take on different meanings depending on the speaker and the audience.

  5. Hydrosphere • Definition:The watery part of the earth's surface, including oceans, lakes, water vapor in the atmosphere, etc. • Ninety-seven percent of Earth's water is salty. These large collections of salty water are referred to as oceans. • Some scientists place frozen water--glaciers, icecaps, and icebergs--in its own sphere called the "cryosphere."

  6. Atmosphere • Definition:The gaseous envelope surrounding the earth; the air. • It extends from less than 1 m below the planet's surface to more than 10,000 km above the planet's surface. • The upper portion of the atmosphere protects the organisms of the biosphere from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. • It also absorbs and emits heat. When air temperature in the lower portion of this sphere changes, weather occurs.

  7. Cryosphere • Definition: Some places on Earth are so cold that water is a solid—ice or snow.Scientists call these frozen places of our planet the "cryosphere." • The word "cryosphere" comes from the Greek word for cold, "kryos.“ • Snow, ice, or both are key ingredients in every aspect of the cryosphere, including sea ice, glaciers, ice shelves, icebergs, and frozen ground.

  8. Citations • http://www.cotf.edu/ete/ESS/ESSmain.html • http://education.gsfc.nasa.gov/esssproject/ess_definition.htm • http://nsidc.org/cryosphere/allaboutcryosphere.html • http://www.cotf.edu/ete/ESS/ESSspheres.html

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