Sylvia Marquez

9th Grade

Chapter 1

The Earth System

Introduction

Science is like a jigsaw puzzle, you must put the

pieces together to solve it. In Science you ask

questions to gather answers that will help you

understand the theme. Each chapter asks a big

question, you have to find the answer.

Vocabulary

spelunkers-cave explorers

force-a natural power that acts on an object

gravity-the force that makes objects fall toward Earth’s center

particles-very small fragments of a very much larger object

system-a group of parts that work together as a whole

energy-ability to do work

atmosphere-the relatively thin envelope of gases that forms Earth’s outermost layer

geosphere-is the ground; all of Earth’s mass; has three main parts: a metal core, a solid middle layer, and a rocky outer layer

hydrosphere-contains all Earth’s water; about ¾ of Earth is covered by water

biosphere-the parts of Earth that contain living

organisms; the atmosphere

constructive forces-forces that construct, or

build up, mountains; they shape the land’s

surface by building mountains and landmasses

destructive forces-forces that wear down, or

destroy landmasses

Constructive

Forces

Destructive

Forces

Volcanoes

Plate tectonics

Earthquakes

Erosion

Weathering

Changes in

temperature

Main Parts of the Earth System

A system is a group of parts that work together as

a whole. The environment of a specific area is a

system: the Grand Canyon, Sahara Desert, El

Yunque. Air, water, soil, rock, flora, fauna are

parts of the system.

The Earth system involves constant flow of matter

through different parts. There are different cycles

on Earth, for example:

Water cycle

Rock cycle

Water Cycle

Water evaporates from the ocean

Rises to the atmosphere

Falls from the sky as rain

Rainwater flows into and over Earth

It goes back to the ocean

Think about: Why is rain formed by fresh

water when it is salty water the one that

evaporated?

Water Cycle

Rock Cycle Magma rises to the surface

Hardens on land forming a rock

Erosion turns it into pieces

Pieces are washed into the ocean, forming sand

They sink to the bottom as sediment

Small particles collect and glue together

They cement together forming a new rock

Apply Graphic Organizer

Create a graphic organizer of each cycle

You can use color paper, foamies,

stickers, anything you want to complete

the task

Be as creative as you can

To be handed in at the end of the class

Graphic Organizers

Use any kind of

graphic

organizers.

Choose the one

you like the

most.

Remember, you

have to create

two: one for the

water cycle and

another one for

the rock cycle.

Energy

The constant flow, or cycling, of matter through

the Earth system is driven by energy. The energy

has two sources: heat from the Sun and heat

flowing out of Earth as it cools.

• Why is the sun’s heat important to Earth?

• What phenomena on Earth are driven, at

least in part, by energy from the sun?

• What other energy sources can you

mention?

Open Discussion

Earth contains air, water, land, and life. Each of these

parts forms its own part, or “sphere”. The Earth system

has four main spheres.

EARTH’S

SPHERES

Parts of the Earth’s System

Atmosphere-thin envelope of gases that

forms Earth’s outermost layer

Geosphere-land formed by a metal core,

middle layer, and a rocky outer layer

Hydrosphere-all the Earth’s water

Biosphere-parts of Earth that contain living

organisms

For years, the ice in glaciers at Glacier National Park in

Montana has been melting. This is caused by rising

temperatures. As the volume of glaciers has decreased, the

land around gets warmer. The warmer land melts the glaciers

even faster.

Feedback Melting of the glaciers in Glacier National Park is an

example of a process called feedback. When this

happens, a system returns or feeds back to itself data

about a change in the system.

Feedback demonstrates how changes in one part of

the earth system might affect the other parts.

For example, the feedback of melting glaciers affects

the geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

Review Science is a puzzle

where you must find the

answers

A system is a group of

parts that work together

as a whole

There are different cycles

on Earth: water cycle and

rock cycle

The constant flow of

matter through the Earth

system is driven by

energy

There are two main

sources of energy: the

sun and heat flowing

out from Earth

The Earth system is

formed by the Sun and

four spheres:

atmosphere (air),

geosphere (land),

hydrosphere (water),

and biosphere (life)

Feedback is a process

in which a system

returns to itself data

when something tried to

change it.

The melting of glaciers

is an example of

feedback

The feedback of melting

glaciers affects the

geosphere,

atmosphere, and

hydrosphere

Destructive forces

destroy and wear away

landmasses

Erosion, weathering, and

deposition are examples

of destructive forces

Constructive forces

shape the land’s surface

by building up mountains

and landmasses

Volcanoes, earthquakes,

and plate tectonics are

examples of constructive

forces

Destructive forces have

the opposite effect of

constructive forces and

keep them in balance

Assess-complete this activity in your

notebook

The Earth system

consists of the sun and

four main _____

The sphere that contains

humans is called _____

Give one example of how

humans affect the

hydrosphere. Explain

how this change impacts

society.

What happens during

feedback?

Explain what are

constructive and

destructive forces? How

do they change Earth?

In what ways can the

land change as a result

of a hurricane? Explain

your answer.

What is energy?

Why is the Sun’s heat important to Earth?

What are the three main parts of the

geosphere?

What makes the core different from the other

parts?

Where does molten rock occur?

Where can you find sediment (deposition)?

Can humans be destructive forces? Explain

your answer.

NOW YOU ARE READY FOR

THE TEST!