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Discover Earth's interconnected systems and cycles through atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, biosphere interactions. Learn about energy sources, system models, and ways to conserve our planet.
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Earth Science Ch-1
Earth system science • Brought all of the specialties together to try to explain things • Ex) Katrina
Four Branches of Earth Science • Astronomy • The study of the Universe • Studies everything above the atmosphere • Stars, galaxies,…. • Geology • Study of Earth’s surface and interior • Study of the ground but not the water • Erosion, minerals, earthquakes,...
Meteorology • Study of the processes that govern Earth’s atmosphere • Weather, Ozone,….. • Oceanography • The study of the ocean and seas • Currents, chemistry of the water, …….
Models • Used to make things easier to see and understand • Two and three dimensional
Two types of systems • Open system • Free exchange of materials • new is brought in to replace the old • ex) an island • new rain, seeds
Closed system • Where nothing new enters except sunlight • energy in must equal energy out • Keeps the same as what it started with • Need to conserve because what you start with is all you have • Earth is mostly a closed system • does lose hydrogen to space and gain matter from meteors
Impacts of a closed system • Things we need to do • Recycling • search for alternative energy sources • conservation of the environment • protection of endangered species
The Four Spheres of Earth • Atmosphere • Hydrosphere • Geosphere • Biosphere
Atmosphere • Gaseous layer • Provides • oxygen & carbon • absorbs harmful rays • Weather • Unique • only one in solar system that contains oxygen
The earth itself but no water Layers Crust – thin & solid Mantle - solid Outer core – liquid & very hot Inner core – solid but hot enough to be liquid but too much pressure Provides living space magnetic pull minerals we use It is ever changing volcanoes, erosion, mountain building, etc. Geosphere
Hydrosphere • all the water on Earth (all states) • only 3% is fresh water • 70% of that is frozen in the ice caps • ½ of 1% usable to us • Recycled • water cycle
Biosphere • the living things on earth • All the spheres interact to produce one system
Cycles of Earth • Water Cycle • Carbon Cycle • Energy Cycle
Carbon cycle • Carbon is the building block of life • What goes in must come out • Unbalances caused global temperature changes • Enters the atmosphere by • Volcanoes, Fires & burning fossil fuels, breathing etc. • Leaves atmosphere by • Phytoplankton, plants, dissolves in ocean
Energy Cycle • In must equal out • More in than out • Hotter • More out than in • Colder
Solar energy (99.895%) Source nuclear fusion on the sun Drives Winds, ocean currents, waves, weathering of rocks, etc. How much do we receive? Planet – 16000 times more energy per day than used (45 years worth per day) Roof – About three times more energy per day than used Three main sources of energy
Geothermal energy (0.013%) Source radioactive decay Drives Movement of Earth’s plates, earthquakes, volcanoes, rock cycle, etc. Tidal energy (0.002%) Source Pull of the moon Drives slows down earth’s rotation
How to balance the budget • 40% reflected back into space unchanged • called albedo • allows us to see earth • different surfaces and cloud types reflect it • low albedo means it absorbs most of it • ex) forests = 5% - 10% reflection • ex) fresh snow = 80% - 90% • the planet averages 30% • moon = 11% venus = 75%
60% is used here • runs the water cycle and all others listed above • some is transferred to heat which is radiated back to space • some is stored as coal, oil, or other energy sources • fossil fuel energy is really old solar energy • every time energy changes form some is lost to heat which is radiated out
How we change things • Changing the albedo • Buildings, deforestation, dams, etc. (Changes the energy budget for the area) • Burning fossil fuels • Put more carbon dioxide into the air which decreases the amount of energy allowed to leave • Planting more vegetation • Pulls carbon dioxide out of the air • Damming rivers • changes the length of time it takes for water to go through the water cycle