Earth as a System

1
Earth as a System

• Ch. 1

2
Earth Science is the study of

• Solid earth
• Oceans

• Atmosphere
• Stars Planets

3
Study of Earth 2 views

• Old view
• study Earth as a collection of parts that were
  independent of each other (i.e.)
• Mountain formation
• Life forms on mountain
• Icy peaks on mountain

• New View
• study Earth as a whole to better understand how
  solids, liquids and gases interact with each
  other
• Earth system science the new view of Earth as a
  system rather than a collection of parts

4
What is a system?

• A system is a kind of model (representation of an
  object, process, or phenomenon) that can be
  defined as part of a universe that can be studied
  separately.

5
2 Types of Systems

• Open System
• Energy and matter may enter or leave the system
• Open jar of sun tea add lemon

• Closed System
• Energy (i.e. sunlight) may enter or leave but
  matter does not enter or leave
• Closed jar of sun tea

6
Is an atomic submarine an open or closed system
and why?
7
Is Earth an open or closed system and why?
8
Earth is

• mostly a closed system because
• It receives energy from the sun and reflects much
  of it back into space
• Earths mass remains relatively constant
• The planet is self-contained
• i.e. we dont rely on ET resources to survive
• Consequence our resources are finite

• Earth is not entirely a closed system
• The atmosphere loses hydrogen atoms into space
• Meteorites enter the atmosphere from space

9
Human Impact

• Humankinds growing realization of its impact on
  the world has led to important changes in the way
  we live
• Recycle paper, plastics, aluminum
• Protect limited water supplies