Earth and its subsystems

Question 1

Why is earth a system?

Answer 1

it’s component are interconnected & processes on its own

Question 2

the subsystem of the earth that includes the rocks and minerals on Earth – from the molten rock and heavy metals in the deep interior of the planet to the sand on beaches and peaks of mountains. This also includes the abiotic (non-living) parts of soils and the skeletons of animals that may become fossilized over geologic time.

Answer 2

geosphere

Question 2

(geosphere)
- crust and upper mantle
- part of geosphere

Answer 2

lithosphere

Question 3

events of geosphere

Answer 3

• plate tectonics - important process shaping the surface of earth bc of mantle convection due to earth’s heat
• rock cycle - transformation of rocks
• weathering and erosion
• etc.

Question 4

(geosphere - importance)

what part of geosphere contains rock sediments, nutrients, and water, provides anchorage for plant and habitat, and is a part of nitrogen and phosphorus cycle

Answer 4

soil

Question 5

(geosphere - importance)

why is the geomagnetic field important

Answer 5

it deflects most of the solar wind (extends from earth’s interior to space, due to the movement of iron and nickel from outer core)

Question 6

(Earth’s subsystems) The gaseous layer that envelopes the lithosphere

Answer 6

Atmosphere

Question 7

What are the gases composing the atmosphere (State the %)

Answer 7

78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and one percent other gases.

Question 8

Processes in the Atmosphere

Answer 8

• Weather system
• hydrologic/water cycle
• oxygen, nitrogen cycle

Question 9

Which planets have very violent atmospheric conditions

Answer 9

Jovian Planets (JSUN)

Question 9

Which celestial bodies have a significant atmosphere

Answer 9

Earth, Venus (the problem is its composition, harmful gases), Titan (Saturn’s Moon)

Question 10

the lowest and densest part of the atmosphere - the part we live in. It contains most of our weather - clouds, rain, snow. In this part of the atmosphere the temperature gets colder as the distance above the earth increases (bc most of heat comes from the earth’s surface)

Answer 10

Troposphere

Question 11

layer of the atmosphere that contains much of the ozone in the atmosphere. The increase in temperature with height occurs because of absorption of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun by this ozone. Temperatures in here are highest over the summer pole, and lowest over the winter pole.

By absorbing dangerous UV radiation, the ozone in this layer protects us from skin cancer and other health damage. (importance of atmosphere)

Answer 11

stratosphere

Question 12

the third and coldest layer of Earth’s atmosphere, reaching about 130 degrees below zero. (Temp decreases with height) Where most meteors, or space rocks and metal, burn up before they can crash to the ground.

Answer 12

Mesosphere

Question 13

the region of the atmosphere above the mesosphere and below the height at which the atmosphere ceases to have the properties of a continuous medium. It is characterized throughout by an increase in temperature with height and is the hottest layer of the atmosphere.

Answer 13

Thermosphere

Question 14

the layer of the earth’s atmosphere that contains a high concentration of ions and free electrons and is able to reflect radio waves. It lies above the mesosphere and extends from about 50 to 600 miles (80 to 1,000 km) above the earth’s surface.

Answer 14

ionosphere

Question 14

the uppermost region of the Earth’s atmosphere and has no clear upper boundary since it gradually fades into outer space.

Answer 14

exosphere

Question 15

(earth’s subsystems) the total amount of water on a planet. It includes water that is on the surface of the planet, underground, and in the air. Can be liquid, vapor, or ice.

Answer 15

hydrosphere

Question 16

What % of Earth is water? And where does it mostly come from?

Answer 16

About 70% and it mostly comes from the oceans

Question 16

What % of Earth is water? And where does it mostly come from?

Answer 16

About 70% and it mostly comes from the oceans

Question 17

How many percent of water in the Earth is fresh water?

Answer 17

Only 3% (2/3 ice, 1/3 liquid) (97% salt water)

Question 18

Processes in Hydrosphere

Answer 18

• Water Cycle
• Ocean Circulation ( a key regulator of climate by storing and transporting heat, carbon, nutrients and freshwater all around the world.)
• Weathering and Erosion

Question 19

Importance of Hydrosphere

Answer 19

Water is:
- the most abundant molecule in cell (about 70% of cell mass)
- aids in transport of nutrients
- photosynthesis
- habitat
- carbon sink

Question 19

Only Earth’s surface has water, but which celestial body has underground ice (sub-surface is water)

Answer 19

Mars (the problem is its size, geomagnetic field?) & Some moons

Question 20

Earth’s subsystem that is made up of the parts of Earth where life exists. The biosphere extends from the deepest root systems of trees to the dark environment of ocean trenches, to lush rain forests and high mountaintops.

Answer 20

Biosphere

Question 20

What is the base of food chain?

Answer 20

Photosynthetic Organisms (Autotrophs, they can make their own food)

Question 21

Processes of Biosphere

Answer 21

• food chain
• food web
• energy pyramid
• nutrient cycle
• symbiotic rs

Question 22

encompasses the total human presence throughout the Earth system including our culture, technology, built environment, and associated activities. maintains balance among subsystems

Answer 22

anthroposphere

Question 23

Recite characteristics of earth that make it habitable as many as you can

Answer 23

Distance of the Earth from the Sun. (goldilocks/habitable zone
Importance of light on the Earth.
Importance of Earth’s Atmosphere.
Importance of Ozone Layer.
Favourable Climatic Condition.
Water.
Force of attraction (Earth’s gravitational pull)
interaction of the subsystems
geomagnetic field
nutrients
energy