Unit 3 Lesson 1 Study Notes Earth’s Spheres
Earth System- all of the matter, energy, and processes within the earth’s boundary
Atmosphere- air
Cryosphere- ice
Geosphere- mostly solid, rocky part of Earth
Biosphere- living things and the areas they are found
Hydrosphere- water
Geosphere
Crust- thin outermost layer, least dense
Mantle- middle, hot layer of rock, denser
Core- center, densest, iron and nickel
Hydrosphere
Earth’s water- 97% salt water
Cover 71% of Earth’s surface
Clouds, rain, groundwater, water moving through living things are part of the
hydrosphere
Cryosphere
Snow, ice, sea ice, glaciers, ice shelves, icebergs, frozen ground
In most areas it changes with the seasons
Atmosphere
Mostly invisible gases (air) that surrounds the Earth
Main gases, nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), other (1%)
Parts of the atmosphere absorb and reflect harmful UV rays
Biosphere
All living things and the areas where they are found
Matter and energy can be exchanged between spheres