Earth and life science

1. Universe and the Solar System

2.  Solar System –is the gravitational bound
system comprising the sun and the objects
that orbit it, either directly or indirectly. It is
the constant motion, with the planets and
their moons,comets, asteroids and other
space objects revolving around the sun.
 Planet – Any large heavenly body that
revolves around the sun in the solar
system.

3. Solar System
–is the gravitational bound system
comprising the sun and the objects
that orbit it, either directly or
indirectly. It is the constant motion,
with the planets and their
moons,comets, asteroids and other
space objects revolving around the
sun.

4. Planets
– Any large heavenly
body that revolves
around the sun in the
solar system.

5. Different planets in the solar
system

6. MOON
 Also called as SATELLITE.Its basically
a solid body. Only few have
athmosphere. Planetary moons are
formed from discs of gas and dust
revolving around the planets in the
early solar system.

7. COMET
 A cosmic snowball of rocks, dusts, frozen
gases that grow tails as it comes nearer to
the sun.

8. ASTEROIDS
 Basically a chunk of rocks that orbit the
sun.

9. METEORS
 Small chunk of debris and rocks in space.
A meteor commonly called a SHOOTING
STAR fall into the planet of atmosphere.

10. Recognized the uniqueness of earth, being
the only planet in the solar system with
properties necessary to support life.
(S11/12ES-la-e-3)

11. EARTH
 Is characterized by the blue waters, rocky
browns and green land masses with white
clouds set against a black backround.It is a
third planets from the sun and a few hundred
kilometer larger that planet venus in terms of
diameter. Also it is the fifth biggest planet in
the solar system.It is the only known planet
that can support life. Our home planet is
special because 70% of its surface is covered
by water.

12. What are the characteristics
of earth being a planet in
the solar system to support
life?

13. Earth Systems Overview
The Earth is a system consisting of four
major interacting components:
• the atmosphere,
• the biosphere,
• the hydrosphere, and
• the geosphere
Let’s examine each of these four
spheres in detail………

14. The Atmosphere
The Earth is surrounded by a blanket
of air, which we call the atmosphere.
• The atmosphere consists of four
unique layers (the troposphere, the
stratosphere, the mesosphere, and
the thermosphere).
• The atmosphere reaches over 350
miles up from the surface of the
Earth.
• The atmosphere is primarily
composed of nitrogen (about 78%)
and oxygen (about 21%). Other
components exist in small quantities.

15. The Biosphere
The biosphere is the “life zone” of the Earth, and
includes all living organisms (including humans), and all
organic matter that has not yet decomposed.
• The biosphere is structured into a hierarchy known as a
food chain.
• Energy and nutrients, like carbon, are transferred from
one level of the food chain to the next.

16. Hydrosphere
The hydrosphere contains all the water
found on our planet.
• Surface Water: Includes the ocean as well
as water from lakes, rivers and creeks.
• Ground Water: Includes water trapped in
the soil and groundwater.
• Atmosphere: water vapor.
• Frozen water: Includes ice caps and
glaciers. Also called the cryosphere.
• Only about 3% of the water on Earth is
“fresh” water, and about 70% of the fresh
water is frozen in the form of glacial ice.
(0.9% in liquid form)

17. Geosphere
The geosphere is the solid
part of the earth, from the
core to the surface.
• Includes volcanoes, rocks,
minerals, coal, oil etc.
•Mineral resources are mined
from the geosphere.

18. Earth System Science
Earth System Science
is the study of how the
four spheres of the Earth
system interact
continually, each
affecting the others.
Example: A scientist
that studies global
warming is an Earth
System Scientist.

19. System Interactions
Volcanoes erupt, sending ash and
gases into the air and sending
lava and ash down onto
surrounding forests and human
habitations.
Geosphere
Atmosphere Biosphere

20. System Interactions
Hurricanes sweep across the
ocean and onto the land,
damaging the dwellings of people
who live along the coast.
Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
Geosphere
Biosphere

21. System Interactions
Earthquakes can damage buildings which
may kill people, as well as cause fires which
release gases into the air. Earthquakes in
the ocean may cause a tsunami which can
eventually hit land and kill both animals
and people.
Geosphere
Biosphere
Atmosphere
Hydrosphere

22. CFA
1. Name the four main earth systems.
2. Which branch of science studies the
interactions between these earth systems?
3. A forest fire would effect which earth
systems?
Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere and
Geosphere
Earth System Science: Example is a scientist that
studies global warming.
All four: Fires (Biosphere) will destroy plant and animal life
while releasing smoke and other contaminants into the
atmosphere, hydrosphere and geosphere.

23. Tasks:
 Complete the Earth’s sphere worksheet.