eq:how do the atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere work together to support life on earth? the...

EQ:HOW DO THE ATMOSPHERE, LITHOSPHERE AND HYDROSPHERE WORK TOGETHER TO SUPPORT LIFE ON EARTH?

The Biosphere

What makes our Earth different from other planets?

One difference is our abundance of life.

We have life on Earth due to several reasons:

The “perfect” star (yellow, The Sun)

Revolution around the star

Rotation on our axis23.5 degree tilt The right distance from

the starWATER

The Three Parts of the Biosphere

The biosphere is the part of the Earth that

supports life.“BIO” = Life

“Sphere” = Circle

The Three Parts of the Biosphere

The atmosphere, or the air

The lithosphere, or the land

The hydrosphere, or the water

The Atmosphere

The atmosphere is a thin layer of gases that surrounds the Earth.

It seals the planet and protects us from the vacuum of space.

It protects us from electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun and small objects flying through space such as meteoroids.

Of course, it also holds the oxygen (O2) we all breathe to survive.

The Atmosphere

In the same way that there are layers inside of the Earth, there are also layers in the atmosphere.

All of the layers interact with each other as the gases circulate around the planet.

The lowest layers interact with the surface of the Earth while the highest layers interact with space.

The Atmosphere

The atmosphere is more than just layers of gases surrounding the planet.

It is also a moving source of life for every creature of the planet. While the majority of the atmosphere is composed of nitrogen (N2) molecules, there are also oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) which plants and animals need to survive.

You will also find ozone (O3) higher in the atmosphere which helps filter harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.

The atmosphere also protects us from the vacuum and cold of space.

Without our atmosphere, the Earth would be as barren and dead as the Moon or Mercury.

The Atmosphere

There is no single climate of the planet.

Specialized climates are found in areas all over the planet and might include deserts, rainforests, or polar regions.

The common trait of all of these climates is the atmosphere.

The atmosphere circulates gases and particles between all of these regions.

The Atmosphere

The hot air from the equator eventually moves north or south to other climate regions.

That warmer air combines with cooler air, mixing begins, and storms form.

The constant mixing of the atmosphere maintains a stable system that helps organisms survive.

Oxygen will never run out in one area of the planet and temperatures will not skyrocket in another.

The atmosphere balances the possible extremes of the Earth and creates an overall stability.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsWp25SAPq4

The Lithosphere

The lithosphere is the solid, outer part of the Earth.

The lithosphere includes the brittle upper portion of the mantle and the crust, the outermost layers of Earth’s structure

The Lithosphere

The lithosphere is very important because it is a large reservoir of resources, which are so useful to man.

The majority of the material objects which man requires are supplied by lithosphere.

The Lithosphere

The lithosphere serves as a source of minerals.

The minerals supply the basic materials required for making a variety of commodities, which man uses daily.

The Lithosphere

The lithosphere is also the major source of fuels such as coal, petroleum and a natural gas.

Without these fuels, human life as we know it today, would have been impossible.

The Lithosphere

The lithosphere in combination with the hydrosphere and the atmosphere plays a vital role in the growth of plants and animals.

It provides nutrients to the plants.

The plants are the source of food for man and all other animals.

The Hydrosphere

About seventy percent of the surface of the Earth is covered by water.

If you were an alien visiting the planet, you would see a giant blue sphere from space (especially on the Pacific Ocean side).

Not only is water everywhere, but all life depends on water.

The tiniest bacteria and the largest dinosaurs have all needed water.

The hydrosphere is the world of water that surrounds all of us.

The Hydrosphere

Water is in the air, on the land, between the rocks, and in every living thing.

Water, in its purest form, is the compound H2O. There are two hydrogen (H) atoms bonded to one oxygen (O) atom.

The Hydrosphere

Liquid water makes the Earth a special place.

Our planet has a very nice temperature range that allows water to remain in a liquid state.

If we were a colder place like Pluto, all of the water would be permanently frozen and solid.

On the other hand, if we were on a very hot planet, all of the water would be in a gas state.

Water vapor and solid water are relatively useless to the organisms of Earth.

Assessment Prompt

Think of a HW assignment that follows up this class.

What would this task look like? What would the assignment be?

Why would it be assigned?

The Atmosphere =Air

The atmosphere is a mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth.

It contains the oxygen we need to breathe.

It also protects life on Earth from the Sun’s damaging rays.

It constantly changes as we live on the Earth.

The Lithosphere = Land

The lithosphere is the solid, outer layer of the Earth.

This is where we live.

This is where our food lives and grows.

The Hydrosphere =Water

The hydrosphere covers 70% of our Earth’s surface.

It is fairly stable. No water has been added or subtracted since the age of the dinosaur. It is recycled by the water cycle.

It is essential for life to exist on Earth

http://video.about.com/geography/The-Four-Earth-Spheres.htm

Biome

A large area characterized by its climate, plants and animals.

TundraConiferous ForestDeciduous ForestSavannaPrairieRainforestDesertAquatic