Science

Quarter 1 – Module 2

The Earth’s Subsystems

Source: https://www.csun.edu
Science– Grade 11
Quarter 1 – The Earth’s Subsystems

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Francia R. Cuala

Editors: Emily B. Esmabe

Reviewers: Benjie L. Cadag; Chozara P. Duroy

Illustrator: Frances C. Morales

Layout Artist: Christy R. Dawal

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 Explain that the Earth consists of four
subsystems, across whose boundaries
matter and energy flow.
(S11/12ES-Ia-e-4)

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 The focus of this module is the planet Earth.The Earth is the third planet from
the sun, and it is the only planet in the solar system that supports life. The ability of
the Earth to harbor life makes it unique among other planets. It is equipped with
suitable environment for living creatures to survive. It has a very hospitable
temperature and mix of chemicals that have made life possible.

In this module, you are about to discover the special attributes of the earth that
makes it capable of hosting various life forms. It focusses on the unique properties of
the earth making it suitable for all living creature to survive and Earth’s interacting
subsystems.

After studying this module, you are expected to explain that the Earth consists of
four subsystems, across whose boundaries matter and energy flow.
(S11/12ES-Ia-e-4)

Specifically, you should be able to:

1. describe the Earth’s four subsystems; and

2. cite examples of interactions occur between Earth’s subsystems.

Before you proceed, let us first unlock the terms used in this lesson.

Earth System is a set of all matter both living and non-living, energy, and processes
within Earth’s boundary.
Biosphere is a layer of the Earth where life exists. It came from the word “bios,”
which means life.

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Atmosphere is the gaseous envelope surrounding the Earth. It came from the word
“atmos,” which means air.
Hydrosphere is composed of water surrounding the earth’s surface. It came from the
word “hydro,” which means water.
Geosphere is the solid portion of the earth. It came from the word “geo,” which means
ground.
Subsystem is a self-contained system within a larger system.

Let’s see what you know about our lesson for today by doing the activity.

WORD SEARCH. Find and encircle the words listed below in the puzzle.

RAIN CLOUDS EARTH LIFE NITROGEN

WATER PLANTS BIOSPHERE GEOSPHERE OCEAN
ATMOSPHERE VOLCANO HYDROSPHERE CLIMATE CRUST

H I G H R A I N Z X A C P B B N M Y H J
Q W E R T Y U I O P T A L S D F G H J K
Z X C G H J J K Y T M D A O S S F G H A
A A N D F G H J J U O I N K U R E Y Y G
O I I U Y H F V B F S D T G H D J R D W
Q W T E R T Y U I O P V S G H J S X R F
R T R D G H E T U I H X V O L C A N O F
R T O Y U I A V X G E S G H J K L D S D
D F G G G G R R R R R H H J J K K M P C
T Y E U I O T B J M E C B N M M F C H D
A S N D D D H H I O P M B X X F H K E B
E R T G E O S P H E R E C G H J J A R O
O E T I O B G H C R Y I J L K L Y E E W
Q C E T Y U G U U L C S A D F G H M M M
C R E L I Y U Y B B I O S P H E R E D L
L U U A S D F E F L I M F E R T H U S I
C S S F N G T H U J K U A S V B T N J F
Z T C L I I H M D Y J C D T O C E S G E
F A M K L I T F S C V W A T E R S F G H
H T G U F G H J J K K A S D F O I U X Z

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 Before we dig deeper and unfold Earth’s uniqueness, let us check first what you
have learned about our planet from the previous lesson.

Direction: Write the letter of the correct answer in your notebook.

1. The Earth is the only planet in the solar system that supports life. Which of
these bests explains the statement?
a. The Earth is exposed to the sun’s rays.
b. The Earth has only one moon that orbits around it.
c. The Earth rotates in an elliptical orbit.
d. The Earth has breathable atmosphere.

2. Which of the following contributes to Earth’s ability to sustain life?

a. The Earth is just at the right distance from the sun.
b. The atmosphere is breathable due to the unique mixture of gases.
c. The Earth has a precisely tuned amount of water.
d. All of these.

3. Which of the following situations shows deep appreciation to Earth as the only
planet to support life?
a. Joining clean up drives along coastlines
b. Converting rice fields into industrial park
c. Iron and steel manufacturing and cement production
d. Excessive use of electricity.

4. Below are the unique properties of the Earth, EXCEPT

a. Oxygen-rich environment. c. Presence of the moon.
b. Vast amount of liquid water. d. Tilted axis.

5. How does iron core helps in sustaining life on our planet?

a. It creates magnetic field that protects living things from cosmic rays.
b. It regulates the temperature inside the earth.
c. It facilitates the formation of magma.
d. It supplies the people with enough iron to fight common diseases.

Amazing! You got it all correctly!

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 Activity 1
How Much Do You Know Me?

Write at least one description of each sphere.

GEOSPHERE HYDROSPHERE

Earth’s
Spheres
BIOSPHERE ATMOSPHERE

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 Activity 2
Where Do I Belong?

Identify the sphere where each of the following items below could be found. Choose
you answer from the box. Write the letter of your answer on the blank provided before
the number.

a. Hydrosphere c. Geosphere
b. Atmosphere d. Biosphere

1. Fungi 6. River
2. Plants 7. Ozone
3. Clouds 8. Mountain
4. Rocks 9. Decaying log
5. iceberg 10. Water vapor

Activity 3
Spheres Interactions

Choose the spheres that are working together to create the indicated phenomenon.
Write the letters representing the spheres in the box.

1. Water in the lake seeps into

the cliff walls behind then
dam, becoming underground
water or evaporating into the
air

2. A mountain range blocks

rainfall from reaching an area,
making it dry. A = ATMOSPHERE

3. The ocean supports many

ecosystems from coral reefs to
tide pools.

4. A sudden rainstorm in the

desert can cause flooding and
sever erosion, changing the
landscape.
B = BIOSPHERE

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 5. Volcanic dents in the ocean
creates habitats for creatures
that live in or near the intense
heat.

6. The troposphere is where

evaporating water from the
ocean forms clouds and
precipitation. H = HYDROSPHERE
7. Wave action from the strong
winds causes the coastline to
erode.

8. Warming the oceans with

climate change may be
causing the increase violence
in the storms.

9. Daily rain and equator warmth

creates the perfect weather
and climate in the country. G = GEOSPHERE

10. Plants draw water and

nutrients from the soil and
release water vapor into the
atmosphere.

Now, read and understand the lesson.

The Earth has become so perfect for living organisms because of its interacting
physical, chemical and biological processes called Earth system. The Earth system
is a set of all matter both living and non-living, energy, and processes within Earth’s
boundary. It is powered by energy from two major sources: the sun and the planet’s
internal heat. This enables numerous processes and cycles to take place. Scientists
break down Earth’s major system into four subsystems (also called spheres) such as,
the lithosphere/geosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), biosphere (life), and
atmosphere (air). These subsystems work together to influence the climate, trigger
geological processes, affect life all over the earth.

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Figure 1. Four Spheres of the Earth

Subsystem Illustration Description

Geosphere • Solid portion of the Earth

(lithosphere) • It covers Earth’s interior
composed of rocks,
minerals, and landforms.
• It develops a layer of soil
with nutrients become
available to living
organisms.
Photo taken by Francia R. Cuala • Allows occurrence of
geologic events that shape
the earth and generate
materials need by living
organisms
Hydrosphere • Is composed of water which
covering about 70% of the
planet’s surface and 97% of
which is found in the oceans
• Freshwater accounts for just
2.5% of the hydrosphere
which includes those in
Photo taken by Francia R. Cuala
lakes and rivers,
groundwater, ice and snow
• It provides living organisms
with water that breaks down
food molecules, generate
energy during respiration
process and regulates
metabolism.
Biosphere • It extends as far as 12,500
meters from the surface that
includes the depths of the
ocean.
• It contains all living things on
earth plants, animals,
microbes, humans, insects
and many other life forms.
Photo taken by Francia R. Cuala
• The biosphere maintains the
ecosystems.

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 Atmosphere • It contains water vapor
and other gases which
help to moderate our
daily temperatures.
• It contains 21% of
oxygen necessary for us
for respiration, 78% of
Photo taken by Francia R. Cuala nitrogen, and 1% other
gaseous such as argon,
carbon dioxide, hydrogen
and ozone which are
important in absorbing
harmful solar radiation.
• It also serves as our
protection from meteors
by burning it up before
hitting the Earth's
surface.

Interactions in Earth’s Spheres

Although the four systems have their unique identities, they are closely
connected. For example, many birds (biosphere) fly through the air (atmosphere),
while water (hydrosphere) flows through the soil (geosphere). These close
connections cause changes to take place in Earths spheres. These changes are called
events. This two-way relationship between event and sphere is called interactions.
Below are some examples of events and the interactions that happen.

Volcano. Volcanoes in the geosphere may cause profound direct and indirect effects
on the hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. This happens when volcanoes
(geosphere) emit large amount of particulate matter into the air (atmosphere). These
particles serve as nuclei for the formation of water droplets (hydrosphere). Rainfall
(hydrosphere) often increases often increases following an eruption, stimulating plat
growth (biosphere).

Acid Rain. Acid rain is any form of liquid precipitation (hydrosphere) that contains high
level of nitric and sulfuric acid. Rain (hydrosphere) brings these acids to the Earth,
acidifying soil (geosphere) lakes and rivers (hydrosphere). Acidic water leaches
nutrients from the soil (geosphere) into the water table (hydrosphere, making the soil
less fertile for the plants(biosphere) and the subterranean water (hydrosphere) not
potable for humans (biosphere).

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Forest Fire. Forest fire (an event in biosphere) may destroy all the plants (biosphere)
in the area. This could lead to increase in erosion (geosphere). Increased amount of
soil entering the streams (hydrosphere) can lead to increased turbidity or muddiness
of the water which will affect that plants and animals (biosphere) that live in it.

Other examples of events are typhoon, photosynthesis, El Nińo, ozone change

and many others.

Activity: Connect the Spheres

1. Write down an event in your surroundings that shows interaction between

earth’s spheres.
2. In the box below, encircle the items representing the spheres that interacted
during the event/activity.
3. Using arrows connect the items you encircled.
4. Along each arrow, explain how interaction happened between the identified
spheres.

You are doing just well!

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 1. What do you think will happen if one of the spheres will collapse?
Explain your answer.

2. List down two (5) activities that would show your appreciation to the
Earth as a comfortable home for humans and other various living

Direction: Complete the concept map below. Copy the concept map in your
notebook to write your answer.

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The Earth What is Earth
Events that takes
Subsystem are: system?
place are:

The earth is
powered by the
energy coming
from:

Let us again read the concepts below to fully understand our planet.

• Earth system is a collection of interdependent parts enclosed within a defined

boundary.

• The Earth is made up of four subsystems called spheres.

• The Earth’s spheres include the lithosphere/geosphere (land), hydrosphere

(water), biosphere (life), and atmosphere (air).

• Biosphere, also termed as zone of life, maintains the ecosystems including the
life of organisms and their interactions. It also helps in regulating the climate.

• Without hydrosphere, life could not exist because water plays a very important
role for the cells to carry out their normal functions. It also provides habitat for
many aquatic animals and regulate the climate. Humans use water for drinking,
cleaning and in industry.

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