Earth: Structure and Subsystems PDF

Earth: Structure and Subsystems John Aldrich G. Cortez, RN Earth: The Living Planet Earth has a unique structure consisting of different layers and interacting subsystem. Earth: The Living Planet Earth is considered as a home of simple single-celled organisms up to the most com...

Earth: Structure and Subsystems John Aldrich G. Cortez, RN Earth: The Living Planet Earth has a unique structure consisting of different layers and interacting subsystem. Earth: The Living Planet Earth is considered as a home of simple single-celled organisms up to the most complex life forms including humans. It is undeniable that the planet we live in is a rare planet as it is the only planet in our solar system that permits life. The different characteristics of Earth are responsible for the proliferation of life. Earth: Structure and Subsystems Our planet is dynamic, and each part of the Earth are interconnected and continuously interact with one another. The interactivity parts that form a complex whole define a system. Earth: Structure and Subsystems Subsystem – the interacting parts in the Earth’s system. Lithosphere Atmosphere Hydrosphere Biosphere Earth: Structure and Subsystems Earth: Structure and Subsystems Lithosphere – refers to the solid parts of the Earth. It is used along with atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere to describe the systems of the Earth. Earth: Structure and Subsystems Lithosphere is not a continuous layer. It is divided in to large number of plates that move in relation to one another. Earth: Structure and Subsystems Pangaea – a huge landmass were all continents are locked up into as proposed by Alfred Wegener. Earth: Structure and Subsystems Earth: Structure and Subsystems The plates drift sideways at the rate of 12 cm per year. This seem to be slow but imagine how much the plates have moved in 100 years, 1000 years or even 1000000 years. Earth: Structure and Subsystems Plate Tectonic Theory The lithosphere is divided into major plates and smaller plates resting upon the soft layer called asthenosphere. Earth: Structure and Subsystems Earth: Structure and Subsystems There are 15 tectonic plates. However, experts today count more than 50 plates. The Philippine plate which the Philippine rests on has been renamed to Philippine Sea Plate. Earth: Structure and Subsystems Boundary – the border between tectonic plates. a. Convergent b. Divergent c. Transform Earth: Structure and Subsystems a. Divergent b. Convergent c. Transform Earth: Structure and Subsystems Atmosphere – the thin gaseous layer that envelopes the lithosphere. Greek roots atmos which means gas, and sphaira which means globe or ball. Earth: Structure and Subsystems Earth: Structure and Subsystems Layers of the Atmosphere a. Troposphere b. Stratosphere c. Mesosphere d. Thermosphere e. Exosphere Earth: Structure and Subsystems Earth: Structure and Subsystems a. Troposphere – extends to about 14.5 km above the Earth's surface. It is the lowest layer where the weather forms. b. Stratosphere – found 14.5 km to 50 km above the Earth's surface. The ozone layer that protects the Earth from the Sun's harmful UV radiation is found in this layer. Earth: Structure and Subsystems c. Mesosphere – extends from 50 km to 85 km above the Earth's surface. It protects the Earth from the impact of space debris. d. Thermosphere – found 85 km to 600 km above the Earth's surface. It has charged particles that are affected by the Earth's magnetic field. The particles create the Auroras or Northern and Southern lights. Earth: Structure and Subsystems e. Exosphere – the farthest layer. It extends to about 10 000 km above the Earth's surface. Earth: Structure and Subsystems Hydrosphere – composed of all the water on Earth in any form: water vapor, liquid water, and ice. It is comprised of 97.5% saltwater and 2.5% freshwater. It includes all bodies of water such as oceans, lakes, rivers, and marshes. Clouds and rain are also part of the hydrosphere. Earth: Structure and Subsystems Earth: Structure and Subsystems Biosphere - comprised of all living things. It includes all microbes, plants, and animals. It extends to the upper areas of the atmosphere where insects and birds can be found. It also reaches the deep parts of the oceans where marine organisms can still survive. Earth: Structure and Subsystems Matter and energy move and cycle between the four different subsystems. These cycles make life on Earth possible. Earth: Structure and Subsystems Nitrogen Cycle Earth: Structure and Subsystems Carbon Dioxide - Oxygen Cycle Earth: Structure and Subsystems Water Cycle  “As surgeons, we rely on cycles. Heartbeats. Cell regeneration. Circadian rhythms. We know something's wrong when the cycle is broken. Our duty is to fix it. To force the cogs back in line. But that break can also be useful, like a warning shot.“ -Dr. Meredith Grey