Download Unit 1

Physical Processes of
Earth
Physical Systems
1. Hydrosphere – watery areas of the
Earth
2. Atmosphere – layer of gases extending
about 6,000 miles above the planet’s
surface
3. Biosphere – part of Earth that supports
life
4. Lithosphere – land areas of the Earth
5. Continental Shelf – part of a continent
that extends underwater

6. Continental Drift – theory that the
continents slowly separated from
Pangaea
7. Plate tectonics – activities that occur
causing the Earth’s surface to change
8. Erosion – wearing away of the Earth’s
surface by wind, water, and glaciers
9. Evaporation – changing of liquid water
into vapor or gas
10. Condensation – water vapor turns
into liquid water

Brainstorming

 On a scrap piece of paper write down 3 things you
already know about the following:




Atmosphere
Biosphere
Hydrosphere
Lithosphere
 There should be a total of 12 facts!
What are Physical Systems?

 create, maintain, and modify features that
make up the Earth’s surface
 Four Systems generate the surface
1.
2.
3.
4.
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Hydrosphere
Lithosphere
What makes up the atmosphere?
 gases above the
planet’s surface

 78% Nitrogen, 21%
Oxygen, 1% other
small gases
What is the Biosphere?
 supports life on
Earth
All people, plants,
and animals live
here
Description of the Hydrosphere

 any watery area of
Earth
Includes oceans,
lakes, rivers,
streams, and other
bodies of water
What is the Lithosphere?

 Land areas of
Earth
 makes up 30% of
the Earth
 Mountains, plains,
forests, etc.
Checking for Understanding

 Create a 4x4 chart using the physical systems we just
discussed in class
 First row should include the names of the systems
 Rows 2-4 should include one characteristic about the
systems above
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Hydrosphere
Lithosphere
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
What is Earth made of?

 3 Layers
1. Core (very hot)
2. Mantle
3. Crust (Where we live)
How did the continents form?

Crust is broken up into more than a dozen
slabs called plates
Plates were once all together making up a
supercontinent known as Pangaea
Plates began to drift apart (continental
drift) and this started millions of years ago
What are the effects of this
movement?

The major effect of this movement is the
transformation of the Earth’s surface
Examples of these transformations are:
Volcanoes
Mountains
Rivers
Tsunami’s
Earthquakes


Earthquake

Fault Lines/Folds

Assignment

 Answer the following questions in paragraph form:
 Paragraph 1 – Describe, in detail, how plate tectonics
has caused major changes in the earth’s surface. Give
examples
 Paragraph 2 – Explain how the changes mentioned in
paragraph one are dangerous to humans. Be specific
 Paragraph 3 – What things have humans done to be
more prepared for such changes? Give 3 examples
What are the three Rock types?

 Igneous – crystalizing and solidifying of hot
molten magma
 Sedimentary – formed from pre-existing
rock pieces or organisms
 Metamorphic – rocks that have been
changed by heat and/or pressure
Earth’s Water Cycle

 water is constantly moving:




ocean to the air (evaporation)
air to the clouds (condensation)
clouds to the ground (precipitation)
ground back to oceans (run-off)

Predictions

 What is the process for
getting fresh drinking
water?
Ocean Water to Freshwater

 ocean water is too salty!
 process of making freshwater from
ocean water is called, desalination
 97% of the world is Salt Water, 3% of
the world is Freshwater
What do you know?

 Get out a half sheet of paper:
 You have 20 seconds to write down one fact about the
physical processes
 Repeat 8 times: Rotate the papers with people around
you
 You are NOT allowed to have the same thing twice on
a piece of paper

 End of Section 1
Quiz Tomorrow!