Biosphere

The three types of energy

Kinetic

Radiation

Potential

Kinetic Energy

The energy of movement

Potential Energy

Energy that is stored in some way

Radiation

Pure energy moving through space in wavelengths

Direction energy moves

From areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.

Convection

Automatic cycling of hot air rising and cold air falling. When cold air falls and lands it heats up again and rises again.

Biosphere

The zone of life. Where all life lives and interacts with its environment.

What is the main energy source for Earth?

The sun

Why is Earth dense?

Liquid core. Heavy metals (rich especially in iron)

How does the earth do convection?

Heat from the core pushes the land up and out

Continental Drift

The convection cycle of the heat from the core of the earth pushing the land up and out.

What does the iron core of the earth do for protection?

Creates a magnetic field which shields the planet from radiation from the sun.

The Greenhouse Effect

Atmosphere traps gasses and heat to the planet to stop it from bouncing back into space.

What are the top two most abundant elements on earth?

1. Iron- the electron donor

2. Oxygen- the electron thief.

Functions of water in the biosphere

dissolves substances

freezing

trapping heat

chemical reactions (breaking of bonds)

hydrophobic/hydrophilic dynamics

Climate

Water and energy interacting

How does convection play into weather?

Hot air rises up and cool air falls. Water vapor condenses to liquid and forms as clouds. Water falls down as rain.

What does the shape (sphere) of the planet mean?

Energy is not evenly distributed. One area, the equator, gets a direct hit from the sun [INTERACTION].

How does convection play into climate?

It causes a horizontal pattern of climate. Air rises at the equator because it is hot. This causes rain which is the reason why the tropics are so wet.

Topography

The ocean > Lush Coast > Mountain Range > Desert

How does convection play into oceans

Wind current and gravity causes oceans currents.

Biomes

Diverse environments

What defines biomes?

How much rain they consistently get and what temperature they consistently have.

What are the biomes?

Tundra

Coniferous Forest

Deciduous Forest

Grasslands

Chaparral

Desert

Tropical Rainforest

Savanna

Polar

Tundra

Cold desert

Coniferous Forest

Huge carbon supply

Deciduous Forest

Warmer. North Carolina.

Grasslands

Praries

Chapparal

California, Spain (same latitude- 30*) Meant to burn.

Desert

Hot and dry

Aquatic Biospheres

Cycles nutrients with the help of carbon.

Microbes

Changed the chemical composition of the planet many times. They do chemical reactions, mostly fixing carbon.