What are Earth's Major Systems?
The rock cycle shows how forces can change one type of rock into another. The rock cycle shows which Earth system?
Glaciers in the mountains start to melt when the air temperature increases. This is an example of which two Earth systems interacting?
Hydrosphere and atmosphere
The oceans hold almost all the water on Earth. Which kind of water is found in the oceans?
Which of Earth’s systems contains mountains?
geosphere
Which form of water is there the most of at any time in the water cycle?
liquid salt water
A layer of gases surrounds Earth. Which of these is the name for this layer of gases?
atmosphere
The flow of water can cause soil erosion. This diagram shows soil erosion caused by rain. Which two Earth systems are interacting?
hydrosphere and geosphere
Which location contains the smallest fraction of the water on Earth?
A. oceans
B. glaciers
C. the atmosphere
D. under the ground
C. the atmosphere
In which of these locations is the greatest amount of fresh water stored?
glaciers
Scientists know that Earth’s continents have changed position throughout history. This means that the shape of the continents’ shores have changed as well. This is an example of which two Earth systems interacting?
geosphere and hydrosphere
Which Earth system includes humans?
Which is a result of the interaction of the hydrosphere and geosphere?
earthquake
What is the water like where a river meets the ocean?
A. It is salty.
B. It is fresh.
C. It is polluted.
D. It is slightly salty.
D. it is slightly salty
Water moves back and forth between Earth’s surface and the air. How does liquid water move from the air to the ground?
evaporation
Oceans receive fresh water from precipitation and rivers. Yet the sea levels of ocean do not change very much from these actions. Why are the sea levels affected so little?
Water evaporates over the ocean’s surface
Describe the biosphere. Identify one part of the biosphere.
answers will vary
Which two Earth systems are interacting as the water evaporates from the ocean?
Atmosphere and hydrosphere
The continent of Antarctica is nearly covered with glaciers. Which statement is true about glaciers?
A. Glaciers are frozen salt water.
B. Glaciers are frozen fresh water.
C. Glaciers contain a majority of the water on Earth.
D. Glaciers contain the smallest fraction of water on Earth.
Glaciers are frozen fresh water.
How are ocean and pond water different?
ocean water is more salty
Which best describes the atmosphere?
a thick layer of gases surrounding Earth
Describe Earth’s hydrosphere. Identify one part of the hydrosphere.
answers will vary
Soil takes a long time to form. It takes 500 to 1,000 years to make 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) of soil. Explain how two of Earth’s systems interact to form soil.
Wind in the atmosphere (water in the hydrosphere/plants in the biosphere) weathers rocks, which are part of the geosphere, and the broken-down rocks become part of the soil.
Which statement about fresh water is true?
A. Most fresh water is located underground.
B. Less than 1% of fresh water is surface water.
C. A little less than half of fresh water is frozen.
D. Groundwater makes up less than one-quarter of fresh water.
B. Less than 1% of fresh water is surface water.
The ocean is part of which of Earth’s systems?
hydrosphere
The drawing shows a cycle within Earth’s systems. This cycle mostly includes which Earth system?
geosphere