Chapter 1 Notes
Use these notes to fill in your
worksheets: 1.1, 1.2, & 1.3
Section 1.1
A New View of Earth
Explain how scientists view Earth. How
might this view of Earth change our
daily habits?
• Scientists view Earth as a generally
closed system. This means its
resources are finite.
Such a view suggests that people
must conserve energy and resources
as more will not form.
After You Read
Cause and effect:
• Technology such as:
•
•
•
Satellites
Submersibles
Computers
Leads To 
2. Earth system science:
The study of Earth as a system of
interconnected aspects.
3. Models:
Representations of an object, process, or
phenomenon
4. Systems:
Models showing a distinct part of the
universe.
5. Open system: matter and energy
exchanged between system and
surroundings.
6. Closed system: energy enters, but no
matter enters or leaves the system.
1.2 The Earth System’s Four
Spheres
• Atmosphere: gaseous envelope;
provides oxygen and carbon dioxide;
shields Earth from solar radiation; only
one in solar system to sustain life.
• Geosphere: rocks, mountains,
beaches; inner core of Earth; mineral
resources; always shifting.
Hydrosphere: all water on Earth; only 3
percent is fresh; water continually
recycled
Biosphere: all living things
After You Read
Give an example of a way each sphere can
influence another sphere. Name the sphere
that is affected.
• Geosphere: Volcanic eruption fills lake
(hydrosphere).
• Biosphere: Human beings blast tunnels
through mountains (geosphere) to build
roads.
• Hydrosphere: Heavy rains erode hillsides
(geosphere)
• Atmosphere: Tornadoes touch down and
destroy crops (biosphere)
1.3 Cycles in the Earth
1. Into Atmosphere: Evaporation from bodies
of water; transpiration in plants; formation of
water vapor.
2. Back to Ocean: Precipitation; runoff;
groundwater.
3. Into Atmosphere: Living things exhale;
decaying organic matter; burning carbonbased material; volcanic eruptions; diffused
from ocean water.
4. Out of Atmosphere: Plant photosynthesis;
phytoplankton photosynthesis; wave action
conversion.
After You Read
Compare and contrast the carbon cycle
and water cycles with the energy
cycle.
• In the carbon and water cycles, matter
is never lost or gained. In the energy
cycle, however, some energy is lost as
it moves through the cycle. Where
does it go? …SPACE.
After You Read
What is albedo? What happens to the
Earth’s energy budget when the albedo
in the area changes?
2. Albedo is the amount of energy
reflected by a part of Earth’s surface.
Changing albedo can unbalance the
energy budget by reflecting more
energy away from Earth or by absorbing
more into it.