3. SYSTEM - A set of interconnected components that are
interacting to form a unified whole.
4. EXAMPLE of a system- ECOSYSTEM.
(Organisms are interrelated and interacting)
5. The Earth system is essentially a CLOSED SYSTEM.
A closed system is a system in which
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.
9. 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.
Major Themes
10. 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).
Major Themes
11. Cycles
Material in the Earth system is continually
recycled in numerous overlapping cycles.
Major Themes
15. Includes all life
forms on Earth
Biosphere
It covers all ecosystems—from the soil to the
rainforest, from mangroves to coral reefs,
and from the plankton-rich ocean surface to the
deep sea.
19. Precipitation, Evaporation, Runoff, Infiltration, etc...
The Hydrologic (Water) Cycle
1. About 70% of the Earth is covered with liquid
water (hydrosphere) and much of it is in the
form of ocean water.
2. Only 3% of Earth's water is fresh: two-thirds
are in the form of ice, and the remaining
one-third is present in streams, lakes, and
groundwater.
21. The atmosphere is the
thin gaseous layer
that envelopes the
lithosphere.
Atmosphere
The present atmosphere is composed of 78%
nitrogen (N), 21% oxygen (O2), 0.9%
argon, and trace amount of other gases.
22. One of the most important processes by
which the heat on the Earth's surface is
redistributed is through atmospheric
circulation.
24. Connect to Earth
Create a concept map which explains how
the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere,
and biosphere are interconnected.
Use arrows and simple illustrations.
