World Geography
Chapter 2: “Earth in Space”
Chapter 2

In this chapter we will discuss:
The Solar System
 The Earth and Sun Relationships
 The Earth System

Section 1: The Solar System

Stars: most stars are
grouped together in
large clusters called
galaxies.

The Milky Way is the
galaxy in which we
live in.
The Planets

The Sun and the
group of bodies that
orbit around it are
calld the solar
system.

There are four inner
planets and four outer
planets now.
The four inner planets

The inner planets (in
order) are: Mercury,
Venus, Earth, and
Mars.

They are terrestrial:

Meaning that they
have a solid rocky
surface.
The four outer planets

These planets are
much larger and
further from the Sun.
The four outer planets
(in order) are: Jupiter,
Saturn, and Uranus.
What happened to…

Pluto? What happened to Pluto?
Or…
Pluto Activity

Directions:

On the worksheet, you will be given a link
about Pluto, disregard it.

To find the answers to the questions research
on yahoo news, cnn.com, or an encylopedia
website.
The Sun


The Sun is a star.
The Sun, Earth, and
the moon all exert
gravitational forces on
one another that
influence the rise and
fall of ocean tides.
Earth
Rotation – imagine that Earth has a rod
connecting the two poles. The Earth
“spins” and one complete spin is called a
revolution.
 Revolution – Earth makes 1 revolution
every 365 ¼ days. Why the ¼ ?
 Tilt – The Earth’s tilt will affect the seasons
and changes in weather.

Section 2

Earth – Sun Relationships

Solstices – the time that Earth’s poles
point at their greatest angle toward or
away from the Sun is called a solstice.

Equinox – Earth’s poles are not pointed
toward or away from Sun
Seasons

Based on the Sun’s direct rays on the
position in Earth (see p. 30), the seasons,
solstices, and equinox’s occur.
Map portion for Chapter 2 Test
Section 3
These four spheres make up the Earth’s environments, or
surroundings. So how are the four spheres related?
Biosphere
Atmosphere
Earth System
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
The Earth System

Atmosphere – the envelope of gases that
surround the Earth (about 78% of Earth’s
gases are made up of Nitrogen).

Protects the Earth from the Sun’s harmful
radiation
Earth System cont.

Lithosphere – the solid crust of the planet.
Earth System cont.

Hydrosphere – all of the Earth’s water.
About 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is
covered by water.
Earth System cont.

Biosphere – the part of the Earth that
includes all life forms (human, plant, Pauly
Shore in
animal, etc.)
Bio Domeworst
movie
ever!
Arctic Circle, 66.5
degrees North of the
Equator.
An
Antarctic
Circle, 66.5 degrees
Ant
South of the Equator.
Chapter 2 Test

What you need to know:

1. Maps with all continents, oceans, tropics, circles, equator,
meridians, etc.

2. A short answer (essay) question over the 4 spheres of the
Earth System and how they are inter- related.

3. The Solar System with 8 planets in order from distance to the
Sun.

4. Your chapter 2 Packets (key terms and concepts).

5. Current Events including Changes to Pluto and September
11th.