Module 2

Earth`s Subsystems
Objectives
The students should be able to:
a. identify the type of system present on planet earth
b. recognize the Earth as a system composed of subsystems
c. identify how energy and mass are exchanged among the subsystems
d. analyze the impact of the anthroposphere as an additional earth`s system.

Lecture

 Earth System is the study of how the four spheres of the earth system interact continually, each affecting the
others.

 All the spheres in the system interconnect and overlap. No sphere works on its own.

 Spheres are closely connected and the changes they brought are often chain reactions. A change in one sphere
results in changes in the others-called an event.

ANTHROSPHERE is another sphere that scientist is proposing which relates

man`s impact towards the 4 subsystems of the earth.
Activity 1
Name: ___________________________________ Score: ________________________
Section: __________________________________ Date: ________________________

Concept of Interconnected Earth`s Subsystems

A. Directions: Given the diagram below, describe each scene and identify which system is suited in terms of the
exchange of matter and energy. Provide labels to the arrows in each scene.

Earth is a __________________________________________________________________________________________
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B. Directions: How important are the relationships and interactions between the subsystems that make up the earth?
Complete the following mind map to explain your answer.
C. Directions: Deduce ideas from the picture to show the different subsystems are interconnected. Be specific with the
exchange of matter (gases) and energy in expounding your ideas. State your ideas in bullet form. Remember to cite your
reliable science sites.

The phenomenon is ______________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________________

The phenomenon is _______________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________ __________________
PARENT`S SIGNATURE OVER PRINTED NAME DATE
References
Earth Science Teachers Guide for Senior High School (pp. 32-40)
Encyclopedia of Global Environmental Change (ISBN 0-471-97796-9)
Understanding the Earth System, ISBN 978-1-107-00936-3, © Cambridge University Press2012
https://scied.ucar.edu/shortcontent/earths-atmosphere
https://www.soas.ac.uk/cedep-demos/000_P500_ESM_K3736-Demo/module/pdfs/p500_unit_01.pdf
https://www.livescience.com/37057-global-warming-effects.html
Answer Key
Concept of Interconnected Earth`s Subsystems

A. Earth is a CLOSED SYSTEM where there is an exchange of energy but no exchange of matter from earth
t the outer space.

B.

C.
1. Global Warming

 Global warming is expected to have far-reaching, long-lasting and, in many cases, devastating
consequences for planet Earth. Global warming, the gradual heating of Earth's surface, oceans
and atmosphere, is caused by human activity, primarily the burning of fossil fuels that pump
carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere
 Human contributions to greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are warming the earth's surface -
a process that is projected to increase evaporation of surface water and accelerate the
hydrologic cycle. In turn, a warmer atmosphere can hold more water vapor. Some evidence
suggests global warming is already responsible for more extreme precipitation events.
Precipitation in a warming world is also projected to lead to departures from current timing and
patterns of rainfall distribution.
 Variations in global climate over tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of years are due
to modulations within the interior of the. Changes in the shape of ocean basins and the size of
continental mountain chains may influence the energy transfers within and between the
coupled components of the climate system.
 On much shorter time scales physical and chemical processes affect certain characteristics of
the soil, such as moisture availability and water run-off, and the fluxes of greenhouse gases and
aerosols into the atmosphere and oceans