Earth System Science
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1. system: can be any size group of interacting parts that form a complex whole.
2. Earth system science: tries to put together what they know from there study of all of these branches.
Using this type of approach, they hope to eventually understand and solve many of our global environmental problems.
3. System 1: Most natural systems are driven by sources of energy that move matter and/or energy from one place
to another.
A simple analogy is a car's cooling system.
It contains a liquid (usually water and antifreeze) that is driven from the engine to the radiator and back again.
The role of this system is to transfer the heat generated by combustion in the engine to the radiator, where moving air
removes the heat from the system.
4. What is the primary goal of Earth system science?: Earth system science brings together
information from various branches of science to better understand how Earth functions and to attempt to solve some
of the environmental problems of our planet.
5. Cooling System: a kind of system called a closed system. Energy moves freely in and out of the system, but
no matter enters or leaves the system
6. System 2: most natural systems are open systems.
Both energy and matter flow into and out of the system.
In a river system, for example, the amount of water flowing in the channel can vary a great deal.
At one time or place, the river may be fuller than it is at another time or place.
7. Why is Earth an example of a system?: Earth is made of interacting parts.
8. In Earth system science, Earth is studied as _____.: a system of interacting subsystems
9. Earth as a System 1: The Earth system is powered by energy from two sources.
One source is the sun, which drives external processes that occur in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and at Earth's
surface.
Weather and climate, ocean circulation, and erosional processes are also driven by energy from the sun.
, Earth System Science
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10. Earth as a System 2: Earth's interior is the second source of energy.
There is heat that remains from the time Earth formed.
There is also heat continuously generated by the decay of radioactive elements.
These sources power the internal processes that produce volcanoes, earthquakes, and mountains.
11. Earth as a System 3: The parts of the Earth system are linked so that a change in one part can produce
changes in any or all of the other parts.
For example, when a volcano erupts, lava may flow out at the surface and block a nearby valley.
This new obstruction influences the region's drainage system by creating a lake or causing streams to change course.
Volcanic ash and gases that can be discharged during an eruption might be blown high into the atmosphere and
influence the amount of solar energy that can reach Earth's surface.
The result could be a drop in air temperatures over the entire hemisphere.
12. Soil 1: Over time, soil will develop on the lava or ash-covered surface, and plants and animals will reestablish
themselves.
This soil will reflect the interactions among many parts of the Earth system—the original volcanic material, the type
and rate of weathering, and the impact of biological activity.
13. Soil 2: Of course, there would also be significant changes in the biosphere.
Some organisms and their habitats would be eliminated by the lava and ash, while new settings for life, such as a lake
may be created.
The potential climate change could also have an effect on some life-forms.
14. Scale and characterization: The Earth system is characterized by processes that occur over areas that
range in size from millimeters to thousands of kilometers.
Time scales for Earth's processes range from milliseconds to billions of years.
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hmbo9c
1. system: can be any size group of interacting parts that form a complex whole.
2. Earth system science: tries to put together what they know from there study of all of these branches.
Using this type of approach, they hope to eventually understand and solve many of our global environmental problems.
3. System 1: Most natural systems are driven by sources of energy that move matter and/or energy from one place
to another.
A simple analogy is a car's cooling system.
It contains a liquid (usually water and antifreeze) that is driven from the engine to the radiator and back again.
The role of this system is to transfer the heat generated by combustion in the engine to the radiator, where moving air
removes the heat from the system.
4. What is the primary goal of Earth system science?: Earth system science brings together
information from various branches of science to better understand how Earth functions and to attempt to solve some
of the environmental problems of our planet.
5. Cooling System: a kind of system called a closed system. Energy moves freely in and out of the system, but
no matter enters or leaves the system
6. System 2: most natural systems are open systems.
Both energy and matter flow into and out of the system.
In a river system, for example, the amount of water flowing in the channel can vary a great deal.
At one time or place, the river may be fuller than it is at another time or place.
7. Why is Earth an example of a system?: Earth is made of interacting parts.
8. In Earth system science, Earth is studied as _____.: a system of interacting subsystems
9. Earth as a System 1: The Earth system is powered by energy from two sources.
One source is the sun, which drives external processes that occur in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and at Earth's
surface.
Weather and climate, ocean circulation, and erosional processes are also driven by energy from the sun.
, Earth System Science
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hmbo9c
10. Earth as a System 2: Earth's interior is the second source of energy.
There is heat that remains from the time Earth formed.
There is also heat continuously generated by the decay of radioactive elements.
These sources power the internal processes that produce volcanoes, earthquakes, and mountains.
11. Earth as a System 3: The parts of the Earth system are linked so that a change in one part can produce
changes in any or all of the other parts.
For example, when a volcano erupts, lava may flow out at the surface and block a nearby valley.
This new obstruction influences the region's drainage system by creating a lake or causing streams to change course.
Volcanic ash and gases that can be discharged during an eruption might be blown high into the atmosphere and
influence the amount of solar energy that can reach Earth's surface.
The result could be a drop in air temperatures over the entire hemisphere.
12. Soil 1: Over time, soil will develop on the lava or ash-covered surface, and plants and animals will reestablish
themselves.
This soil will reflect the interactions among many parts of the Earth system—the original volcanic material, the type
and rate of weathering, and the impact of biological activity.
13. Soil 2: Of course, there would also be significant changes in the biosphere.
Some organisms and their habitats would be eliminated by the lava and ash, while new settings for life, such as a lake
may be created.
The potential climate change could also have an effect on some life-forms.
14. Scale and characterization: The Earth system is characterized by processes that occur over areas that
range in size from millimeters to thousands of kilometers.
Time scales for Earth's processes range from milliseconds to billions of years.
