Earth Science – Semester 1 – Quarter 1 STEM 11 MATTER ERA
EPOCH
EDWIN HUBBLE Atomic
observation during the 1920’s led him to the Electrons attached to nuclei
conclusion that “the universe is expanding” and Formation of hydrogen and helium atoms
that “an object‘s recession velocity is
proportional to it’s distance from the observer” Galactic Epoch
guiding the Hooker telescope in 1923 Formation of atomic clouds
The Hooker Clusters of atoms formed galaxies
o near Pasadena, CA
o atop Mt. Wilson Stellar Epoch
o largest telescope in 1917-1947 Formation of stars
Stars converted helium and hydrogen into other
ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE elements
The Big Bang Theory Elements became building blocks for planets,
The universe began from a hot, infinitely dense moons, life
point (singularity)
Similar to a supercharged black hole
Occurred approximately 13.7 billion years ago
Resulted in the creation of all matter, energy,
space, and time
RADIATION ERA
EPOCHS
Planck Epoch
No matter, only energy and the superforce
Gravity separated from the superforce
Grand Unification Epoch
Three unified forces of nature
Strong nuclear force separated
Inflationary Epoch
Rapid expansion from atom-sized to grapefruit-
sized
Universe filled with hot, churning particles
Electroweak Epoch
Electromagnetic and weak forces separated
Quark Epoch
Presence of quarks, universe still too hot for
particle formation
Hadron Epoch
Cooling down, quarks formed protons and
neutrons
Lepton Epoch
Formation of electrons and other leptons
Nuclear Epoch
Protons and neutrons fused to create helium
, EARTH’S FOUR SUBSYTEMS Hydrosphere Interactions
Atmosphere Atmosphere
A blanket of air composed of nitrogen, oxygen, o Water cycles between the atmosphere
carbon dioxide, and water vapor, extending over and the hydrosphere through
560 kilometers (348 miles) from Earth's surface evaporation and precipitation,
It has five layers: exchanging energy during these
o Troposphere: Closest to Earth, processes
responsible for climate and life support Biosphere
o Stratosphere: Contains the ozone layer, o The hydrosphere helps transport
protecting life by filtering UV radiation nutrients and waste products for living
o Mesosphere: A cold layer where organisms
temperatures drop significantly Geosphere
o Thermosphere: Very hot with diffuse o Water plays a significant role in
atmospheric particles weathering, helping break down rocks
o Exosphere: The outermost, thin layer of and form soil and loose rock fragments
the atmosphere with extremely high
temperatures Biosphere Interactions
Atmosphere
Hydrosphere o Living organisms either take in or
Includes all of Earth’s water, with 3% being release gases to and from the
freshwater, of which 70% is frozen atmosphere, maintaining the balance of
oxygen and carbon dioxide
Biosphere Hydrosphere
The region that supports life, where the food o Evaporation from plants (transpiration)
chain starts with photosynthesis and respiration transfers water from the biosphere to the
processes atmosphere
Geosphere
Geosphere o The biosphere and geosphere are linked
Earth's solid layers, mostly composed of oxygen, through soil formation and plant
silicon, and magnesium activity, which involves the breakdown
Minerals are mined from here of rocks both chemically and
mechanically
RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER SUBSYSTEMS Geosphere Interactions
Atmosphere Interactions Atmosphere
Hydrosphere o Volcanic eruptions spew gases into the
o The atmosphere exchanges gases with atmosphere, influencing its composition
water bodies, particularly through Hydrosphere
processes like evaporation and o Water from the hydrosphere assists in
precipitation mineral formation, speeds up chemical
Biosphere reactions, and helps melt rocks
o It supplies essential gases such as Biosphere
oxygen and carbon dioxide, which are o Nutrients from rocks dissolve into water
crucial for life processes like and are then used by aquatic plants,
photosynthesis and respiration contributing to the biosphere’s
Geosphere sustenance
o Volcanic activity in the geosphere
releases gases into the atmosphere,
contributing to its composition
EPOCH
EDWIN HUBBLE Atomic
observation during the 1920’s led him to the Electrons attached to nuclei
conclusion that “the universe is expanding” and Formation of hydrogen and helium atoms
that “an object‘s recession velocity is
proportional to it’s distance from the observer” Galactic Epoch
guiding the Hooker telescope in 1923 Formation of atomic clouds
The Hooker Clusters of atoms formed galaxies
o near Pasadena, CA
o atop Mt. Wilson Stellar Epoch
o largest telescope in 1917-1947 Formation of stars
Stars converted helium and hydrogen into other
ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE elements
The Big Bang Theory Elements became building blocks for planets,
The universe began from a hot, infinitely dense moons, life
point (singularity)
Similar to a supercharged black hole
Occurred approximately 13.7 billion years ago
Resulted in the creation of all matter, energy,
space, and time
RADIATION ERA
EPOCHS
Planck Epoch
No matter, only energy and the superforce
Gravity separated from the superforce
Grand Unification Epoch
Three unified forces of nature
Strong nuclear force separated
Inflationary Epoch
Rapid expansion from atom-sized to grapefruit-
sized
Universe filled with hot, churning particles
Electroweak Epoch
Electromagnetic and weak forces separated
Quark Epoch
Presence of quarks, universe still too hot for
particle formation
Hadron Epoch
Cooling down, quarks formed protons and
neutrons
Lepton Epoch
Formation of electrons and other leptons
Nuclear Epoch
Protons and neutrons fused to create helium
, EARTH’S FOUR SUBSYTEMS Hydrosphere Interactions
Atmosphere Atmosphere
A blanket of air composed of nitrogen, oxygen, o Water cycles between the atmosphere
carbon dioxide, and water vapor, extending over and the hydrosphere through
560 kilometers (348 miles) from Earth's surface evaporation and precipitation,
It has five layers: exchanging energy during these
o Troposphere: Closest to Earth, processes
responsible for climate and life support Biosphere
o Stratosphere: Contains the ozone layer, o The hydrosphere helps transport
protecting life by filtering UV radiation nutrients and waste products for living
o Mesosphere: A cold layer where organisms
temperatures drop significantly Geosphere
o Thermosphere: Very hot with diffuse o Water plays a significant role in
atmospheric particles weathering, helping break down rocks
o Exosphere: The outermost, thin layer of and form soil and loose rock fragments
the atmosphere with extremely high
temperatures Biosphere Interactions
Atmosphere
Hydrosphere o Living organisms either take in or
Includes all of Earth’s water, with 3% being release gases to and from the
freshwater, of which 70% is frozen atmosphere, maintaining the balance of
oxygen and carbon dioxide
Biosphere Hydrosphere
The region that supports life, where the food o Evaporation from plants (transpiration)
chain starts with photosynthesis and respiration transfers water from the biosphere to the
processes atmosphere
Geosphere
Geosphere o The biosphere and geosphere are linked
Earth's solid layers, mostly composed of oxygen, through soil formation and plant
silicon, and magnesium activity, which involves the breakdown
Minerals are mined from here of rocks both chemically and
mechanically
RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER SUBSYSTEMS Geosphere Interactions
Atmosphere Interactions Atmosphere
Hydrosphere o Volcanic eruptions spew gases into the
o The atmosphere exchanges gases with atmosphere, influencing its composition
water bodies, particularly through Hydrosphere
processes like evaporation and o Water from the hydrosphere assists in
precipitation mineral formation, speeds up chemical
Biosphere reactions, and helps melt rocks
o It supplies essential gases such as Biosphere
oxygen and carbon dioxide, which are o Nutrients from rocks dissolve into water
crucial for life processes like and are then used by aquatic plants,
photosynthesis and respiration contributing to the biosphere’s
Geosphere sustenance
o Volcanic activity in the geosphere
releases gases into the atmosphere,
contributing to its composition
