Earth's atmosphere
Develop a model to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere interact as connected Earth systems
What a learner can do afterwards
- Name the four Earth systems: geosphere (rock/land), hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air), biosphere (living things)
- Describe at least two interactions between different Earth systems with examples
- Create or interpret a model showing how a change in one system affects others
The lesson
Earth is made of four connected systems: the geosphere (rock and land), the hydrosphere (water), the atmosphere (air), and the biosphere (living things). None of these works alone. A change in one system almost always causes a change in another.
A beaver cuts down trees (biosphere) and piles them in a stream (hydrosphere). The dam blocks the water and makes a pond, so nearby plants and animals get more water. One change in the biosphere changed the hydrosphere too.
When you spot two systems touching, like air touching rock or water touching a plant, that is where an interaction happens. Look for those touching points.
Earth's geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere are always touching and changing each other.
Watch it
Where it sits
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.