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Chapter 1.2

Chapter 1.2. Earth’s Spheres. Earth. The only planet currently known to support life. This capacity is due to the interactions among its 4 spheres… Atmosphere Hydrosphere Geosphere Biosphere. Sphere #1. THE ATMOSPHERE. What Is the Atmosphere?.

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Chapter 1.2

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  1. Chapter 1.2 Earth’s Spheres

  2. Earth • The only planet currently known to support life. • This capacity is due to the interactions among its 4 spheres… • Atmosphere • Hydrosphere • Geosphere • Biosphere

  3. Sphere #1 THE ATMOSPHERE

  4. What Is the Atmosphere? • A mixture of gases, mostly nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) with smaller amounts of argon, carbon dioxide, and other gases • Held to the Earth by gravity • Thins with altitude

  5. Why Is the Atmosphere Important? • Supports Life • Animals need oxygen • Plants need carbon dioxide (CO2) • Regulates Climate • Retains heat at night • Shields from sun’s radiation during the day • Wind transports heat from Equator and cold from Poles

  6. Sphere #2 Geosphere

  7. The Geosphere • The solid Earth • Rocks, mountains, beaches, ocean basins, magma, mantle • The geosphere is slowly changing • Volcanic eruptions form new land • Mountains are uplifted • Continents are in slow but constant motion

  8. Sphere #3 THE HYDROSPHERE

  9. What Is the Hydrosphere? • All the earth’s water • Most of this water is salt water • 3% of the hydrosphere contains fresh water • Most of this water is frozen in glaciers • Remaining water is found in groundwater, lakes, water vapor, and river water. • All the water on Earth is recycled… • No new water is ever created!

  10. Sphere #4 THE BIOSPHERE

  11. What Is the Biosphere? • The zone inhabited by life • Includes the uppermost geosphere, the hydrosphere, and lower atmosphere • Includes all forms of life • Single-celled protozoans, to jellyfish to redwood trees to people.

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