EARTH
SUBSYSTEMS
Evaporation
Evaporation is the primary pathway
that water moves from the liquid state back into
the water cycle as atmospheric water vapor.
is the process by which water changes from a
liquid to a gas or vapor.
Condensation
is the process by which water vapor in the air is
changed into liquid water.
the conversion of a vapor or gas to a liquid
Precipitation
is water released from clouds in the
form of rain, freezing rain, sleet, snow,
or hail.
It is the primary connection in
the water cycle that provides for the
delivery of atmospheric water to the
Earth.
Transpiration
isthe process by which moisture is
carried through plants from roots to
small pores on the underside of leaves,
where it changes to vapor and is released
to the atmosphere.
Transpiration is essentially
evaporation of water from plant leaves.
Surface runoff
is water, from rain, snowmelt, or sources,
that flows over the land surface, and is a
major component of the water cycle.
Runoff is the movement of landwater to the
oceans, chiefly in the form of rivers, lakes, and
streams. Runoff consists of precipitation that
neither evaporates, transpires nor penetrates
the surface to become groundwater.
Infiltration
is the process by which water
on the ground surface enters
the soil
OBJECTIVES
A. I can identify and explain each of
the subsystems of the Earth;
B. I can explain how these
subsystems interact.
C. I am familiar with the historic
development of the concept of
"Earth System”
ECOSYSTEMS
SYSTEM???
SYSTEM
- A set of interconnected
components that are
interacting to form a unified
whole.
Subsystems of the Earth System
ATMOSPHERE
Is a thin gaseous layer that envelopes the listhosphere.
Composed of:
78 % nitrogen
21 % oxygen
0.9 % argon
Trace amount of other gases
lithosphere.
includes the rocks of the crust and mantle, the
metallic liquid outer core, and the solid metallic
inner core
biosphere
is the set of all life forms on Earth.
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.
• For the majority of life on Earth, the base of the food
chain comprises photosynthetic organisms. During
photosynthesis, CO2 is sequestered from the
atmosphere, while oxygen is released as a byproduct.
The biosphere is a CO2 sink, and therefore, an
important part of the carbon cycle.
• Sunlight is not necessary for life.
hydrosphere
About 70% of the Earth is covered with liquid water
(hydrosphere) and much of it is in the form of ocean
water
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.
PRACTICE (20 MINS)
1. Using the illustration diagram (option 1 or 2),
identify how energy and mass is exchanged among the
subsystems. Maybe use different types of line .boxes
to differentiate between matter / materials and
energy? 2. Use arrows to indicate interaction between
components.
GROUP ACTIVITY:
Recall the subsystems of Earth. Identify characteristics
of each subsystem that supports life.
Reporting per group.
