Geosphere
What is the geosphere?
The solid part of the Earth, including rocks, soil, and landforms.
What does the hydrosphere include?
All the water on Earth, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and glaciers.
What is the cryosphere?
The frozen water part of the Earth includes ice caps and glaciers.
What is the atmosphere?
The layer of gases surrounding the Earth.
What is the biosphere?
The part of Earth where life exists, including land, water, and air.
Name one way the geosphere interacts with the hydrosphere.
Rivers erode rocks and soil from the geosphere.
How does the hydrosphere influence the climate?
Water absorbs heat and distributes it, affecting temperatures and weather patterns.
How does the cryosphere affect sea levels?
Melting ice contributes to rising sea levels.
What role does the atmosphere play in protecting life on Earth?
It filters harmful solar radiation and maintains temperature.
How do plants in the biosphere interact with the atmosphere?
Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis.
How do tectonic plates in the geosphere affect the biosphere?
Tectonic activity can create mountains or valleys, changing habitats.
What is the water cycle?
The continuous movement of water through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
Why is the cryosphere important for Earth's climate?
It reflects sunlight, helping to cool the planet.
Define greenhouse gases and their function.
Gases like carbon dioxide trap heat in the atmosphere, keeping the Earth warm.
Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis.
Deforestation reduces habitats for wildlife.
What are minerals, and why are they important to the geosphere?
Minerals are natural substances that form rocks; they are essential for building structures.
Name a way living organisms depend on the hydrosphere.
Organisms need water for drinking, growing, and living.
Name one animal that lives in the cryosphere.
Polar bears or seals.
How does the structure of the atmosphere change as you rise in altitude?
The air becomes thinner and cooler as you go higher.
How does biodiversity contribute to the health of the biosphere?
A diverse range of species helps ecosystems function and recover from disturbances.
Explain how volcanic eruptions impact the atmosphere.
Volcanic eruptions release ash and gases, affecting air quality and climate.
Describe the impact of pollution in the hydrosphere on the biosphere.
Pollution can harm aquatic life and contaminate drinking water, affecting ecosystems.
Explain how changes in the cryosphere can affect the biosphere.
Melting ice can reduce habitats for polar species and affect food chains.
Describe how human activities impact the atmosphere.
Pollution from cars and factories increases greenhouse gases, affecting the climate.
Explain the concept of an ecosystem and its components.
An ecosystem includes all living organisms and their physical environment, interacting as a system.