Chapter 3: THE EARTH SYSTEM
Learning Target
Vocabulary Word
Definition
Facts or Examples
System
A group of parts that
work together to perform
a function or produce a
result
There is a constant flow
of matter through
different parts of the
Earth, like the water
cycle and rock cycle.
Energy
The ability to do work.
Energy that drives the
Earth system has two
main sources: heat from
the sun and heat flowing
out of Earth as it cools.
Atmosphere
Relatively thin envelope
or layer of gases that
forms Earth’s outermost
layer.
78% nitrogen, 21%
oxygen, 1% other gases
Geosphere
The metal core, solid
middle layer and rocky
outer layer of the Earth.
Hydrosphere
All of the Earth’s water
including ground water
and surface water
Lesson 1
I can identify and
describe the main
components of the
Earth system . . .
Surface water: 3% Fresh
water in rivers, lakes,
streams, ponds, and
glaciers, 97% salt water
in oceans.
Symbol/Picture
I can summarize the
effects of constructive
and destructive
forces . . .
Biosphere
The parts of Earth that
contain living organisms.
Constructive
forces
Forces that shape the
land’s surface by
building up mountains
and other land masses.
Ex. Volcanoes spew lava
that hardens into rock;
Earthquakes can lift up
mountains and rocks.
Destructive
forces
Forces that destroy and
wear away landmasses
by weathering or
erosion.
Ex. Erosion – wearing
down and carrying
away of land by water,
ice or wind.
Lesson 2
I can explain how
geologists learn
about Earth’s inner
structures . . .
Rock samples
Seismic waves
Samples of rock brought
up from drilled holes 12.3
km deep or from
volcanoes blasting rock
from 100 km deep.
Waves produced by
earthquakes, the speed
& paths they take give
clues about Earth’s
interior
This is direct evidence.
This is indirect evidence.
I can identify the
characteristics of
Earth’s crust, mantle,
and core, & describe
how temperature and
pressure change
inside Earth. . .
Pressure
A force pressing down
on an area
The deeper down inside
Earth, the greater the
pressure. (Temperature
also increases)
Crust
Layer of rock that forms
Earth’s outer skin
Basalt
Dark, fine-grained rock
Oceanic crust is much
like basalt
Granite
Light, coarse-grained
rock
Continental crust is
much like granite
Mantle
A layer of hot, solid rock
found under the crust.
About 3,000 km thick,
made up of layers.
Lithosphere
Crust and uppermost
part of the mantle
Strong, hard, rigid rock.
Main elements are
Oxygen & Silicon, varies
from 5-40 km for most
areas, up to 80 km for
mountains, thinnest on
ocean floor.
Asthenosphere
Below the lithosphere,
hotter and more
pressure
Less rigid area of rock,
can bend
Mesosphere
Below the
asthenosphere, includes
the lower mantle
Hot and more rigid
Outer Core
Layer of molten (melted)
metal surrounding the
inner core, below the
mantle.
Liquid - 2,558 km thick
Inner Core
Dense ball of solid metal
(iron & nickel)
Radius of ball is 1,222 km
thick.
Radiation
Transfer of energy that is
carried in
electromagnetic rays like
light
Ex. Outside of car gets
hot from sun’s rays
Lesson 3
I can explain how
heat is transferred . . .
Conduction
Convection
Heat transfer between
materials that are
touching each other
Ex. When you touch the
door handle of the car,
the heat is felt by your
hand.
Heat transfer by the
movement of a fluid
(liquid or gas)
Ex. When you open the
car door, hot air rushes
out to warm you.
I can describe
convection currents
in Earth’s mantle . . .
Convection
currents
The flow that transfers
heat within a fluid.
Heating and cooling a
fluid changed the
density and the force of
gravity to cause a
convection current to
have motion.
Heat from the core and
mantle cause
convection currents in
the mantle. Warm rock
rises (less density) & cool
rock sinks (greater
density)
Learning Targets Chapter 3
Lesson 1
I can identify and describe the main components of the Earth system. . .
The Earth system has four main spheres: the _________________________, the _________________, the ______________________m
and the _____________________________.
As a major source of energy for Earth processes, the _______ can be considered part of the Earth system as well.
I can summarize the effects of constructive and destructive forces . . .
Lands are constantly being created and ______________ by competing forces. _________________________ forces shape the
land’s surface by building up ________________________ and other landmasses. _________________________ forces destroy and
wear away landmasses through processes like ___________________ and ________________________.
Lesson 2
I can explain how geologists learn about Earth’s inner structures . . .
Geologists have used two main types of evidence to learn about Earth’s interior: direct evidence from
_________________________________ and indirect evidence from _______________________________.
I can identify the characteristics of Earth’s crust, mantle, and core, and describe how temperature and pressure change
inside Earth . . .
The deeper down inside Earth, the ________________ the pressure. The ______________________ inside Earth _______________ as
depth increases.
The three main layers of the Earth are the ______________________, _____________________ and ____________________. The
________________ is a layer of solid rock that includes dry ______________ and ocean ________________. The ________________ is
about 3,000 km thick and is made of very _________, _____________ rock. The ________________ is mostly _______________ and
nickel. It consists of a _________________ outer core and a _________________ inner core.
Lesson 3
I can explain how heat is transferred . . .
There are three types of heat transfer, _________________________, ___________________________ and
__________________________.
I can describe convection currents in Earth’s mantle . . .
Heating and cooling of a fluid, changes the fluid’s _________________________ and the force of _________________ combine to
set ______________________ ____________________ in motion
Heat from the _____________ and the ________________ itself causes convection currents in the mantle.