Research Question 1 The Earth's systems can be divided into four major spheres: the lithosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), biosphere (living things), and atmosphere (air). These four subsystems are interconnected and overlap to create the Earth's environment. The lithosphere includes the continents and oceans, as well as soil and rocks; the hydrosphere includes all water systems, from oceans to rivers and groundwater; the biosphere includes all living organisms from microorganisms to plants and animals; and the atmosphere includes all the gases that surround Earth. These four spheres interact with each other in complex ways, shaping Earth's climate, ecosystems, and geological processes. Images supporting Geographers and scientists typically break down the Earth's systems into four spheres: the geosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), biosphere (living things), and atmosphere (air). These four spheres interact with each other and are connected, forming what is known as the Earth system. However, some scientists also include the cryosphere (ice) as a fifth sphere of the Earth. ghh Question 2 Venus Venus is the second planet from the sun and is often referred to as Earth's sister planet due to its similar size and composition. However, Venus has some distinct differences from Earth, such as its extremely high surface temperature and thick atmosphere. n our solar system, Venus is often considered a "mysterious planet" due to its extreme heat, thick and hazy atmosphere, and unusual rotation. Another planet that often captures people's imagination is Mars, which has been the focus of many space missions and has features such as ancient dry riverbeds and polar ice caps. Here are some properties and facts about Venus: - Mass: 4.867 × 10²⁴ kg (81.5% of Earth's mass) - Volume: 9.28×10¹¹ km³ (86% of Earth's volume) - Density: 5.243 g/cm³ (94.9% of Earth's density) - Average distance from the sun: 108.2 million km (67.2 million miles) - Orbital period (length of year): 224.7 Earth days - Length of day: 243 Earth days - Surface temperature: about 864 degrees Fahrenheit (462 degrees Celsius), making it the hottest planet in the solar system - Atmosphere: very dense, mostly carbon dioxide with traces of nitrogen and other gases - Rotation: rotates in the opposite direction of most planets, meaning that the sun rises in the west and sets in the east Venus is also known for its thick layer of clouds, which are composed mainly of sulfuric acid, and its many volcanoes and other geologic features. It has been visited by a number of spacecraft, including NASA's Magellan spacecraft and the European Space Agency's Venus Express mission, which both orbited Venus and studied its surface and atmosphere. Jupiter Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and is the largest planet in the solar system. It is classified as a gas giant, along with Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, and is composed mainly of hydrogen and helium. It has a diameter of roughly 86,881 miles (139,822 kilometres), which is about 11 times the diameter of Earth, and has an average distance from the Sun of roughly 484 million miles (778 million kilometres). Jupiter is notable for its many moons, with over 80 currently known, including the four largest, which were discovered by Galileo Galilei in 1610: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Calisto. These four moons are collectively known as the Galilean moons and are believed to have oceans of liquid water beneath their icy surface. Jupiter also has a strong magnetic field, which is about 20,000 times stronger than Earth's, and is known for its persistent, swirling storm known as the Great Red Spot. This storm, which is about three times the size of Earth, has been observed for over 300 years and is believed to be a high-pressure system in Jupiter's atmosphere. Overall, Jupiter is a fascinating planet that continues to be studied and explored by scientists and space agencies around the world. Question 3 the sun The Sun is a star and the closest one to Earth, consisting mainly of hydrogen and helium gas. It has several interesting properties that make it an important object of study for scientists. Here are some of the basic properties of the Sun: 1. Diameter: The diameter of the Sun is about 1.39 million kilometers, which is more than 100 times the diameter of Earth. 2. Mass: The mass of the Sun is about 1.99 x 10^30 kilograms, which is about 333,000 times the mass of Earth. 3. Temperature: The surface temperature of the Sun is about 5,500 degrees Celsius (9,932 degrees Fahrenheit), while the temperature at its core is estimated to be around 15 million degrees Celsius (27 million degrees Fahrenheit). 4. Energy output: The Sun is a very powerful source of energy, producing about 386 billion megawatts of energy every second through nuclear fusion. 5. Sunspots and solar flares: The Sun has a magnetic field that can cause sunspots and solar flares, which are temporary dark and bright spots on the Sun's surface, respectively. These events can have an impact on Earth and its atmosphere. Overall, the Sun is a critical component of our solar system and has many important properties that continue to be studied by scientists. Question 4 stars and properties There are many different types of stars in the universe, each with their own unique characteristics. Here are some common types of stars and examples of each: 1. Red dwarf stars: These are the most common type of star in the universe and are relatively small and cool in temperature. Examples include Proxima Centauri and Barnard's Star. 2. Yellow dwarf stars: These are stars like our Sun, with temperatures and sizes similar to that of the Sun. Examples include the Sun and Tau Ceti. 3. Blue giant stars: These are very large and hot stars that emit a lot of blue light. Examples include Rigel and Zeta Orionis. 4. Red giant stars: These are evolved stars that have exhausted their hydrogen fuel and expanded to many times the size of their original state. Examples include Aldebaran and Arcturus. 5. White dwarf stars: These are the remnants of smaller stars that have burned out all of their nuclear fuel and collapse into a very small, dense state. Examples include Sirius B and Procyon B. 6. Neutron stars: These are the extremely dense remnants of larger stars that have undergone supernova explosions. Examples include the Crab Nebula pulsar and the Vela pulsar. Each type of star has its own unique properties and characteristics, and scientists continue to study and learn about these fascinating celestial objects.