Lecture Notes: Earth Subsystems

Introduction

• Presenter: Teacher Sheen
• Focus on interconnections between land, oceans, atmosphere, and life on Earth.

Review of Last Session

• Acronym TWEEN:
  • T (Temperature): Earth is at the right distance from the sun.
  • W (Water): Liquid water is necessary for life.
  • E (Energy): Light or chemical energy is needed for life processes.
  • A (Atmosphere): Protects from radiation, maintains warmth.
  • N (Nutrients): Essential for organism structure.

Objectives for Today's Lesson

• Identify the four subsystems of Earth.
• Distinguish characteristics of each subsystem.
• Explain how matter and energy flow in the subsystems.
• Trace the flow of matter and energy in the subsystems.

Earth's Systems

• Earth as a closed system: Only exchanges heat/energy, no matter.
• Considered a haven for life forms, with interacting systems supporting life.

Quiz Review

1. Closed System: Only exchanges heat/energy (Answer: A)
2. Biosphere: Set of all life forms on Earth (Answer: B)
3. Interaction Biosphere & Atmosphere: Plants producing oxygen (Answer: B)
4. Abiotic Factor: Air (Answer: B)
5. Flooding: Involves Hydrosphere and Geosphere (Answer: D)

Earth's Subsystems Overview

• System of interrelating physical, chemical, biological processes.
• Major Subsystems (Spheres):
  1. Atmosphere: Earth's gas layer, composed of nitrogen, oxygen, argon.
  2. Geosphere: Solid earth, includes crust, mantle, core.
  3. Hydrosphere: All water forms, including cryosphere.
  4. Biosphere: All living beings and their environments.

Atmosphere

• Composed of layers: Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere.
• Protects from UV rays, maintains Earth's temperature.

Geosphere

• Solid earth, consists of crust, mantle, core.
• Contains rocks, minerals, landforms.

Hydrosphere

• Water on Earth in all forms, including cryosphere.
• Important for solar radiation absorption and redistribution.

Biosphere

• All living things and their interactions.
• Dynamic interactions with other subsystems.

Matter and Energy Flow

• Flows across subsystem boundaries.
• Sphere Interactions: Processes move matter and energy between subsystems.
• Biogeochemical Cycles: Involves biological, geochemical, chemical factors.

Quiz 2 Review

1. Geosphere: Includes mountains, hills (Answer: C)
2. Biotic Factor: Bees (Answer: D)
3. Hydrosphere Function: Absorbs and redistribues solar radiation (Answer: C)
4. Biosphere: Contains all living organisms (Answer: B)
5. Interaction Example: Water evaporation (Geosphere & Atmosphere) (Answer: D)

Conclusion

• Earth's Subsystems: Study of how spheres interact and affect each other.
• Major Systems: Air, water, land, life.
• Spheres: Geosphere, Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere interconnected.

Next Session Preview

• Topic: Earth materials and resources, physical and chemical properties of minerals.

Remember all spheres are connected in a continuous cycle supporting life on Earth.