Lesson 1.1 - Spheres of Earth (1) PDF

The Spheres of Earth LESSON 1 SNC 1W ECOLOGY LEARNING GOALS What are the 4 main spheres of Earth? How do the spheres interact with each other? What is the Gaia Hypothesis and why is its important?  LIFE ON EARTH Of all the planets in the Solar System, Earth is the only one...

The Spheres of Earth LESSON 1 SNC 1W ECOLOGY LEARNING GOALS What are the 4 main spheres of Earth? How do the spheres interact with each other? What is the Gaia Hypothesis and why is its important?  LIFE ON EARTH Of all the planets in the Solar System, Earth is the only one thriving with life. Millions of organisms exist on land and in water on our unique planet.  Life on EARTH A medium-sized planet orbiting the Sun Surrounded by a thin layer of gases swirling with clouds Surface is covered with oceans, land and ice Earth has 4 main spheres  THE 4 SPHERES OF EARTH 1. ATMOSPHERE 2. LITHOSPHERE 3. HYDROSPHERE 4. BIOSPHERE Atmos = air Litho = stone Hydro = water Bio = life VIDEO: 4 SPHERES OF EARTH 1. ATMOSPHERE The layer of gases surrounding Earth Made up of about 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 1% other gases (argon, water vapour, CO2) Acts like a blanket to moderate temperatures and blocks solar radiation and UV light Is critical for life to survive on Earth  2. LITHOSPHERE (GEOSPHERE) The rocky outer shell of Earth Consists of rocks and minerals Includes mountains, ocean floors, and the rest of Earth's solid landscape 50 - 150 km in thickness  3. HYDROSPHERE All of Earth's water in solid, liquid and gas form Consists of all the water on, above and below Earth's surface Includes oceans, lakes, ice, groundwater and clouds 97% of water on earth is contained in oceans  4. BIOSPHERE The zone around earth where life can exist within the other spheres Life can exist on land or in water All living things need space, water and nutrients to survive (however, the supply of these resources is limited) LABEL the 4 spheres on the DIAGRAM LABEL the 4 spheres on the DIAGRAM atmosphere biosphere hydrosphere lithosphere  These 4 spheres are constantly interacting with each other! Examples: 1. Rain (hydrosphere) falls on the oil (lithosphere), which causes grass (biosphere) to grow. 2. A cow (biosphere) eats the grass and breathes out carbon dioxide (atmosphere) as it eats.  The Gaia Hypothesis Proposed that Earth behaves like a living organism due to interactions among the 4 spheres Encourages people to have a more caring attitude toward the planet and the life it supports CONSOLIDATION ACTIVITY Make a concept map with the following terms: Earth, hydrosphere, animals, atmosphere, rocks, lithosphere, biosphere, oxygen, oceans, sand, ozone, rivers, plants, mountains, bacteria, wind, snow