Earth Systems
What are the two major things that flow into and out of an open system?
Matter and Energy
What can ice core samples from Antarctica reveal about Earth's past?
Changes in the composition of Earth's atmosphere.
What is an example of instability in Earth's atmosphere?
Thunderstorms form and dissipate
What force keeps planets and moons in orbit?
Gravity
What planet is known as the Red Planet?
Mars
What does it mean to say Earth is a system?
Earth is made of interconnected parts/systems that interact with one another.
Coral bleaching is evidence of what change in ocean conditions?
An increase in water temperature.
What does it mean to describe Earth as a dynamic system?
Earth is constantly changing, and its systems interact and respond to changes.
What is the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere?
Nitrogen
How many planets are in our solar system?
8
Why do scientists study multiple Earth systems at the same time?
To observe how parts of different systems affect one another.
What did banded iron formations provide evidence about Earth's atmosphere and oceans 2.6 billion years ago?
Earth's atmosphere and oceans contained much less oxygen.
What is an El Niño event?
El Niño is a periodic warming of ocean water in the tropical Pacific that can influence weather patterns around the world.
What process do plants use to convert light energy into chemical energy?
Photosynthesis
Which planet has the largest number of moons?
Saturn
Earth is classified as what type of system because both matter and energy can flow into and out of it?
Open System
Why is coral bleaching an important piece of evidence for scientists studying Earth's systems?
Coral bleaching provides evidence that changes in ocean conditions, particularly temperature, can affect living organisms
How can an El Niño event affect weather in places far away from the Pacific Ocean?
Changes in ocean temperatures can alter atmospheric conditions and influence precipitation, temperature, and storms in distant locations.
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions; climate describes long-term patterns of weather.
If you could visit any planet in our solar system, which one would have the longest day?
Mercury
A scientist is studying rising ocean temperatures and changes in ocean life. Why must the scientist consider other Earth systems?
Ocean temperatures can affect ocean life, but understanding those changes may require considering other systems and their interactions.
Explain what banded iron formations tell scientists about the amount of oxygen in Earth's ancient atmosphere.
Banded iron formations indicate that Earth's atmosphere and oceans contained much less oxygen about 2.6 billion years ago.
Explain how a change in one Earth system can cause changes in another Earth system. Give an example.
Earth systems are interconnected. For example, changes in the ocean can influence the atmosphere, which can then affect weather and living organisms.
What are the three states of matter, and how does adding or removing thermal energy affect them?
Solid, liquid, and gas. Adding thermal energy can cause matter to change state, while removing thermal energy can cause the reverse changes.
What is the only planet in our solar system known to support life?
Earth