Earth's Spheres
The 4 Earth's Spheres
Geosphere, Biosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere
Principle that states geologic features from slowly over long periods of time by a continuous sequence of almost unnoticeable processes (example: erosion)
Gradualism
A combination of interacting parts that form a complex whole.
A continuous process that repeats itself over and over again
Cycle
How did the layers of the Earth form?
As young, molten Earth cooled the layers separated out by density (most dense sunk to the core, least dense floated to the crust)
The 4 layers of the Geosphere in order
Crust, Mantle, Outer core, Inner core
Principle that states geologic features from from sudden, violent processes (example floods)
Catastrophism
The term for what causes (drives) matter and energy to move through a system
Flux mechanism
Describes how carbon moves through Earth's spheres
What is the equation that solves for density?
Density = mass/volume, D=m/v
The 5 layers of the Atmosphere in order
Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere
The principle that states scientific processes that shape the world today also happened the same way in the past. "The present is the key to the past"
Uniformitarianism
What does it mean that energy and matter are conserved within a system?
Energy and matter are not created or destroyed.
The flux mechanism that moves carbon from fossil fuels to the atmosphere
Burning/combustion
As you go from the outermost layer of the atmosphere (Exosphere) to the innermost layer of the Earth (inner core) what one factor is increasing the entire time?
Density
Part of the hydrosphere specifically the glaciers and frozen sources of water on Earth
Cryosphere
Occur when small, barely noticeable changes build up over time until a certain point is reached, then change becomes dramatic and rapid.
threshold effects
What are the 4 parts of Earth's System called?
Biosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Geosphere
The flux mechanism that moves carbon from the atmosphere to plants
Photosynthesis
What is the density of a 130g object with a volume of 50cm3?
mass = 130g
volume = 50cm3
density = ?
D = m/v
D = 130g/50cm3
D = 2.6g/cm3
A volcano erupting and filling the air with volcanic ash and gases is an interaction between which two spheres?
Geosphere, Atmosphere
Explain how warming temperatures and its effects on glaciers and ice caps is an example of a positive feedback loop.
As temperatures warm, more ice melts and with less ice to reflect sun's heat, more heat is absorbed by the earth than reflected and temperatures warm even further and the cycle continues. Albedo Effect.
The ability of Earth's oceans to absorb CO2 naturally over time without having much an effect on the system, until the ocean can no longer absorb any more CO2 and catastrophic change occurs is an example of a
threshold effect
What are 3 ways the process of drilling and burning fossils fuels has caused changes to the whole carbon cycle?
1. More carbon in atmosphere
2. Less carbon in the geosphere (fossil fuels)
3. More carbon in the hydrosphere (oceans)
What is the mass of an object that measures 5cm (length) x 10cm (width) x 2cm (height) and has a density of 1.8g/cm3?
mass = ?
density = 1.8g/cm3
volume = ?
length = 5cm
width = 10cm
height = 2cm
volume = length x width x height
volume = 5cm x 10cm x 2cm = 100cm3
volume = 100cm3
D=m/v
m=v x D
m = 100cm3 x 1.8g/cm3
mass = 180g