Earth as a System: The Four Spheres of Earth

A set of vocabulary flashcards reviewing the four spheres of Earth, Earth as a complex system, and interactions between the spheres based on the lecture notes.

Earth as a system

A complex system whose parts interact with one another.

Complex system

A structure, such as Earth, whose individual parts interact with one another.

Four spheres of Earth

The interconnected parts of the Earth system comprising the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.

Atmosphere

The layer of gases surrounding Earth.

Biosphere

All living organisms and their interactions with rock, soil, air and water.

Hydrosphere

All water in liquid, solid and gaseous forms.

Lithosphere

Solid rock, soil and the outermost solid part of Earth.

Interaction between atmosphere and hydrosphere

An interaction exemplified when rain falls from the atmosphere into rivers in the hydrosphere.

Interaction between biosphere and lithosphere

An interaction exemplified when plants in the biosphere grow in soil of the lithosphere.

Oceans and rivers

Bodies of water included in the hydrosphere.