Earth as a System: Structure and Spheres

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Questions and Answers

Which layer of the Earth is known for being the outermost layer?

Crust (correct)

Outer Core

Mantle

Inner Core

What is the primary source of Earth's magnetic field?

Solid rock in the mantle

Flow of molten iron in the outer core (correct)

Movement of tectonic plates

Sun's solar wind

Which of the following is NOT one of Earth's four major spheres?

Lithosphere

Atmosphere

Biosphere

Astronomy (correct)

Which process is a part of how matter and energy cycle on Earth?

Photosynthesis (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is associated with the Earth's mantle?

It is highly viscous and behaves like a syrup over geological timescales. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which component is part of Earth's energy budget?

Radiation from the sun (A) Signup and view all the answers

In which layer of the Earth does the geochemical cycle primarily occur?

Crust (D) Signup and view all the answers

What role does gravity play in Earth's system?

It controls tectonic plate movements. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What are the four spheres of Earth?

Air, Water, Land, Life (B), Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, Lithosphere, Biosphere (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary composition of the Earth's atmosphere?

78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen (A) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Earth’s surface is covered by the global ocean?

70% (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why do scientists rely on indirect observations to study Earth's interior?

Direct access to the interior is impossible. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which sphere of the Earth is known as the solid part of the planet?

Geosphere (D) Signup and view all the answers

What shape is the Earth when viewed from space?

Oblate spheroid (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does the atmosphere support life on Earth?

By acting as a blanket and a filter (D) Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary energy sources in the Earth system?

Solar energy and geothermal energy (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of energy generation is responsible for heating Earth's interior?

Radioactive decay and gravitational contraction (A) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Earth's water is contained in the oceans?

97.5% (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the equatorial circumference of the Earth?

40,074 km (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about Earth is NOT true?

Earth is covered primarily by land. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which sphere is described as a thin layer where all forms of life exist?

Biosphere (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is Earth's pole-to-pole circumference?

40,007 km (D) Signup and view all the answers

What occurs between Earth's spheres that maintains energy balance?

Constant energy and matter exchange (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

It helps regulate climate indirectly (B) Signup and view all the answers

What role do nitrogen-fixing bacteria play in the nitrogen cycle?

They chemically change nitrogen from air into nitrogen compounds. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does carbon move through the short-term carbon cycle?

By plants converting atmospheric carbon dioxide into carbohydrates. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason phosphorus does not exist in the atmosphere?

Phosphorus is a largely solid substance and not gaseous. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which process is involved in the long-term carbon cycle?

The formation of carbonate rocks from living organisms. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What leads to the return of nitrogen compounds to the soil after animals consume plants?

The decay of dead animals and animal excretions. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What part of the phosphorus cycle allows phosphorus to enter soil and water?

Dissolving of phosphorus in water from rock decomposition. (A) Signup and view all the answers

In what way is nitrogen cycling similar to carbon cycling?

Both involve organisms transforming gases into usable compounds. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements correctly describes the phosphorus cycle?

Phosphorus cycles involve significant movement through water and soil. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How do plants absorb phosphorus in the phosphorus cycle?

Through their roots (A) Signup and view all the answers

What process returns phosphorus to the environment after an animal dies?

Decomposition (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of a closed system?

Only energy can enter and exit, while matter remains static (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the cyclical process that describes the movement of water from the atmosphere to Earth's surface and back?

Water cycle (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by Earth's magnetic field extending into space?

The existence of the magnetosphere (C) Signup and view all the answers

How much of Earth’s surface is covered by water?

70% (A) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to water during evaporation in the water cycle?

It becomes water vapor (A) Signup and view all the answers

What type of system allows both energy and matter to enter and leave?

Open system (A) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Earth & Earth as a System

Designed to explore the composition and structure of Earth's interior.
Identifies sources of Earth's magnetic field.
Lists characteristics of Earth's four major spheres.
Explores four processes where matter and energy cycle on Earth.

Earth's Physical Structure

Earth is the third planet from the sun and the only one known to support life.
Approximately 70% of Earth's surface is covered by the global ocean.
Earth is an oblate spheroid, with a pole-to-pole circumference of 40,007 km and an equatorial circumference of 40,074 km.

Earth's Four Spheres

Atmosphere: Gaseous layer above Earth, 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen, regulates climate and supports life.
Biosphere: The zone of life; includes all ecosystems on land and in water, existing as a thin layer on Earth’s surface.
Geosphere: The solid Earth, encompassing core, mantle, and crust.
Hydrosphere: Contains all water on Earth, covering 71% of the surface; includes oceans, glaciers, and groundwater.

Earth's Energy Budget

All four spheres act as open systems, exchanging matter and energy continuously.
Internal energy sources include heat from radioactive decay and gravitational contraction.
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria play a role in the nitrogen cycle by converting atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms for plants.

Biogeochemical Cycles

Carbon Cycle: Involves both short-term (photosynthesis and respiration) and long-term (sedimentation and fossilization) processes for carbon movement across spheres.
Phosphorus Cycle: Phosphorus rarely exists as a gas; it cycles through soil and water, essential for building cells.
Water Cycle: Continuous movement of water between the atmosphere and Earth's surface through processes like evaporation and transpiration.

Lesson Summary

Earth has an average diameter of 12,756 km and is partially covered by water.
Seismic waves confirm multiple layers within Earth's interior with varying densities.
Earth's magnetic field extends into space, forming the magnetosphere.
Distinction between closed (matter static) and open (matter and energy exchange) systems in Earth science.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the composition and structure of Earth's interior and its four major spheres: atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere. Explore how matter and energy cycle through these systems and gain a deeper understanding of Earth's physical structure. Test your knowledge on the planet that supports life and its key characteristics.