Earth's Atmosphere and Systems

Flashcards generated from lecture notes about Earth's atmosphere and systems.

What gases primarily make up Earth's atmosphere?

Nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%), along with carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other gases.

What is the composition of ozone?

A molecule of three oxygen atoms (O3).

How does Earth's atmosphere support life?

It traps energy from the sun, keeping the Earth warm and water in liquid form, and protects Earth from dangerous radiation and meteor collisions.

What are the four main Earth systems?

Geosphere (Lithosphere), Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, and Biosphere.

What does the Geosphere (Lithosphere) include?

Everything that makes up the solid Earth - land, rocks, minerals, and the layers of the Earth itself, including processes like earthquakes and volcanic activity.

What does the Hydrosphere include?

All of Earth's water - lakes, rivers, oceans, glaciers, and even water in the air as vapor.

What are the major components of the Atmosphere?

The layer of gases surrounding Earth including oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor.

What does the Biosphere include?

All living things on Earth - plants, animals, and humans.

How do the geosphere and biosphere interact?

Living organisms (biosphere) interact with the land (geosphere), such as birds and foxes using trees as shelter and plants growing in the soil.

How do the atmosphere and hydrosphere interact?

Water evaporates from the hydrosphere, enters the atmosphere as vapor, and returns to Earth as precipitation.

What are the key stages of the water cycle?

Evaporation, Condensation, and Precipitation.

What is the distribution of Earth's water?

Approximately 97% saltwater and 3% freshwater, with freshwater distributed as underground water (30.1%), glaciers (68.7%), and lakes/rivers (1.2%).

How do oceans influence climate?

By adding water vapor to the air through evaporation, forming clouds, and creating precipitation. Ocean currents also move warm and cold water, changing air temperature and creating hurricanes.