Interactions of the Four Spheres of Earth
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5th Grade Science › Interactions of the Four Spheres of Earth
Within the boundary of the Earth is a collection of four interdependent parts called “spheres“:
the lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere.
the magnetosphere, hydrosphere, thermosphere, and atmosphere.
the lithosphere, troposphere, biosphere, and microsphere.
the heliosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and planisphere.
Explanation
The Lithosphere- contains all of the solid land of the planet's crust, the semi-solid land underneath the crust, and even the molten part of Earth’s core.
The Hydrosphere- contains all the water of the planet, which exists in solid, liquid, and gas forms. Water flows as precipitation from the atmosphere down to Earth's surface, as rivers and streams along Earth's surface, and as groundwater beneath Earth's surface. Most of Earth's freshwater, however, is frozen.
The Biosphere - contains all the planet's living things. This sphere includes all of the microorganisms, plants, and animals of Earth. Within the biosphere, living things form ecological communities based on the physical surroundings of an area. These communities are referred to as biomes. Deserts, grasslands, and tropical rainforests are three of the many types of biomes that exist within the biosphere.
The Atmosphere-contains all the air in Earth's system. The upper portion of the atmosphere protects the organisms of the biosphere from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. It also absorbs and emits heat. This sphere is also where weather occurs.
Most Earth events involve interaction between multiple spheres. For example, rain is the movement of water (the hydrosphere) from the atmosphere to the lithosphere where it collects in lakes, rivers, or streams. Water is an important resource for inhabitants of the biosphere.
What sphere interactions can you infer from this photograph?
Plants (biosphere) draw water (hydrosphere) and nutrients from the soil and release water vapor into the atmosphere.
Plants (lithosphere) draw water (biosphere) and nutrients from the soil and release water vapor into the atmosphere.
Plants (atmosphere) draw water (hydrosphere) and nutrients from the soil and release water vapor into the atmosphere.
Plants (hydrosphere) draw water (biosphere) and nutrients from the soil and release water vapor into the atmosphere.
Explanation
Four spheres are all independent parts of a system. The spheres interact with each other, and a change in one area can cause a change in another. Plants (biosphere) draw water (hydrosphere) and nutrients from the soil and release water vapor into the atmosphere. The biosphere contains all the planet's living things. This sphere includes all of the microorganisms, plants, and animals of Earth. The hydrosphere contains all the water of the planet, which exists in solid, liquid, and gas forms.
The model shows a venn diagram comparing three of Earth's four spheres. Which of these Earth events belongs in position D because it is influenced by all three?
An earthquake causes a tsunami. Several people are injured.
Heavy rain and flooding causes a landslide. A home is destroyed.
A farmer uses a tractor to till soil and grow crops. It releases Carbon into the air.
A volcano erupts and lava flows down the mountain side. The rock below melts.
Explanation
The Lithosphere- contains all of the solid land of the planet's crust, the semi-solid land underneath the crust, and even the molten part of Earth’s core.
The Hydrosphere- contains all the water of the planet, which exists in solid, liquid, and gas forms. Water flows as precipitation from the atmosphere down to Earth's surface, as rivers and streams along Earth's surface, and as groundwater beneath Earth's surface. Most of Earth's freshwater, however, is frozen.
The Biosphere - contains all the planet's living things. This sphere includes all of the microorganisms, plants, and animals of Earth. Within the biosphere, living things form ecological communities based on the physical surroundings of an area. These communities are referred to as biomes. Deserts, grasslands, and tropical rainforests are three of the many types of biomes that exist within the biosphere.
The Atmosphere-contains all the air in Earth's system. The upper portion of the atmosphere protects the organisms of the biosphere from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. It also absorbs and emits heat. This sphere is also where weather occurs.
Most Earth events involve interaction between multiple spheres. For example, rain is the movement of water (the hydrosphere) from the atmosphere to the lithosphere where it collects in lakes, rivers, or streams. Water is an important resource for inhabitants of the biosphere.
Within the boundary of the Earth is a collection of four interdependent parts called “spheres“:
the lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere.
the magnetosphere, hydrosphere, thermosphere, and atmosphere.
the lithosphere, troposphere, biosphere, and microsphere.
the heliosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and planisphere.
Explanation
The Lithosphere- contains all of the solid land of the planet's crust, the semi-solid land underneath the crust, and even the molten part of Earth’s core.
The Hydrosphere- contains all the water of the planet, which exists in solid, liquid, and gas forms. Water flows as precipitation from the atmosphere down to Earth's surface, as rivers and streams along Earth's surface, and as groundwater beneath Earth's surface. Most of Earth's freshwater, however, is frozen.
The Biosphere - contains all the planet's living things. This sphere includes all of the microorganisms, plants, and animals of Earth. Within the biosphere, living things form ecological communities based on the physical surroundings of an area. These communities are referred to as biomes. Deserts, grasslands, and tropical rainforests are three of the many types of biomes that exist within the biosphere.
The Atmosphere-contains all the air in Earth's system. The upper portion of the atmosphere protects the organisms of the biosphere from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. It also absorbs and emits heat. This sphere is also where weather occurs.
Most Earth events involve interaction between multiple spheres. For example, rain is the movement of water (the hydrosphere) from the atmosphere to the lithosphere where it collects in lakes, rivers, or streams. Water is an important resource for inhabitants of the biosphere.
The model shows a venn diagram comparing three of Earth's four spheres. Which of these Earth events belongs in position D because it is influenced by all three?
An earthquake causes a tsunami. Several people are injured.
Heavy rain and flooding causes a landslide. A home is destroyed.
A farmer uses a tractor to till soil and grow crops. It releases Carbon into the air.
A volcano erupts and lava flows down the mountain side. The rock below melts.
Explanation
The Lithosphere- contains all of the solid land of the planet's crust, the semi-solid land underneath the crust, and even the molten part of Earth’s core.
The Hydrosphere- contains all the water of the planet, which exists in solid, liquid, and gas forms. Water flows as precipitation from the atmosphere down to Earth's surface, as rivers and streams along Earth's surface, and as groundwater beneath Earth's surface. Most of Earth's freshwater, however, is frozen.
The Biosphere - contains all the planet's living things. This sphere includes all of the microorganisms, plants, and animals of Earth. Within the biosphere, living things form ecological communities based on the physical surroundings of an area. These communities are referred to as biomes. Deserts, grasslands, and tropical rainforests are three of the many types of biomes that exist within the biosphere.
The Atmosphere-contains all the air in Earth's system. The upper portion of the atmosphere protects the organisms of the biosphere from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. It also absorbs and emits heat. This sphere is also where weather occurs.
Most Earth events involve interaction between multiple spheres. For example, rain is the movement of water (the hydrosphere) from the atmosphere to the lithosphere where it collects in lakes, rivers, or streams. Water is an important resource for inhabitants of the biosphere.
What sphere interactions can you infer from this photograph?
Plants (biosphere) draw water (hydrosphere) and nutrients from the soil and release water vapor into the atmosphere.
Plants (lithosphere) draw water (biosphere) and nutrients from the soil and release water vapor into the atmosphere.
Plants (atmosphere) draw water (hydrosphere) and nutrients from the soil and release water vapor into the atmosphere.
Plants (hydrosphere) draw water (biosphere) and nutrients from the soil and release water vapor into the atmosphere.
Explanation
Four spheres are all independent parts of a system. The spheres interact with each other, and a change in one area can cause a change in another. Plants (biosphere) draw water (hydrosphere) and nutrients from the soil and release water vapor into the atmosphere. The biosphere contains all the planet's living things. This sphere includes all of the microorganisms, plants, and animals of Earth. The hydrosphere contains all the water of the planet, which exists in solid, liquid, and gas forms.
What sphere interactions can you infer from this photograph?
Humans (biosphere) use farm machinery manufactured from geosphere materials to plow the fields, and the atmosphere brings precipitation (hydrosphere) to water the plants.
Humans (hydrosphere) use farm machinery manufactured from geosphere materials to plow the fields, and the atmosphere brings precipitation (biosphere) to water the plants.
Humans (atmosphere) use farm machinery manufactured from geosphere materials to plow the fields, and the atmosphere brings precipitation (hydrosphere) to water the plants.
Humans (lithosphere) use farm machinery manufactured from geosphere materials to plow the fields, and the atmosphere brings precipitation (biosphere) to water the plants.
Explanation
Four spheres are all independent parts of a system. The spheres interact with each other, and a change in one area can cause a change in another. Humans (biosphere) use farm machinery manufactured from geosphere materials to plow the fields, and the atmosphere brings precipitation (hydrosphere) to water the plants. The biosphere contains all the planet’s living things. This sphere includes all of the microorganisms, plants, and animals of Earth. The hydrosphere contains all the water of the planet, which exists in solid, liquid, and gas forms.
What sphere interactions can you infer from this photograph?
Humans (biosphere) use farm machinery manufactured from geosphere materials to plow the fields, and the atmosphere brings precipitation (hydrosphere) to water the plants.
Humans (hydrosphere) use farm machinery manufactured from geosphere materials to plow the fields, and the atmosphere brings precipitation (biosphere) to water the plants.
Humans (atmosphere) use farm machinery manufactured from geosphere materials to plow the fields, and the atmosphere brings precipitation (hydrosphere) to water the plants.
Humans (lithosphere) use farm machinery manufactured from geosphere materials to plow the fields, and the atmosphere brings precipitation (biosphere) to water the plants.
Explanation
Four spheres are all independent parts of a system. The spheres interact with each other, and a change in one area can cause a change in another. Humans (biosphere) use farm machinery manufactured from geosphere materials to plow the fields, and the atmosphere brings precipitation (hydrosphere) to water the plants. The biosphere contains all the planet’s living things. This sphere includes all of the microorganisms, plants, and animals of Earth. The hydrosphere contains all the water of the planet, which exists in solid, liquid, and gas forms.
A change in one sphere can lead to a change in another. In the example below, what spheres are being affected?
Water in the lake (___________) seeps into the cliff walls behind the dam, becoming groundwater (___________).
hydrosphere; lithosphere
biosphere; atmosphere
atmosphere; hydrosphere
lithosphere; biosphere
Explanation
There are four spheres that are all independent parts of a system. The spheres interact with each other and a change in one area can cause a change in another. Water in the lake (hydrosphere) seeps into the cliff walls behind the dam, becoming groundwater (lithosphere). The hydrosphere contains all the water of the planet, which exists in solid, liquid, and gas forms. The lithosphere contains all of the solid land of the planet's crust, the semi-solid land underneath the crust, and even the molten part of Earth’s core.
A change in one sphere can lead to a change in another. In the example below, what spheres are being affected?
Water in the lake (___________) seeps into the cliff walls behind the dam, becoming groundwater (___________).
hydrosphere; lithosphere
biosphere; atmosphere
atmosphere; hydrosphere
lithosphere; biosphere
Explanation
There are four spheres that are all independent parts of a system. The spheres interact with each other and a change in one area can cause a change in another. Water in the lake (hydrosphere) seeps into the cliff walls behind the dam, becoming groundwater (lithosphere). The hydrosphere contains all the water of the planet, which exists in solid, liquid, and gas forms. The lithosphere contains all of the solid land of the planet's crust, the semi-solid land underneath the crust, and even the molten part of Earth’s core.