Earth Science 11

Earth Science – Grade 11

Quarter 1 – Module2: Earth’s Subsystem
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education Division of Pasig City

Development Team of the Self-Learning Module

Writer: Merly O.Caberto

Editor: Ronald C. Dumapias
Reviewers: Ronald C. Dumapias
Illustrator: Edison P. Clet
Layout Artist: Mark Kihm G. Lara
Management Team: Ma. Evalou Concepcion A. Agustin
OIC-Schools Division Superintendent
Aurelio G. Alfonso EdD
OIC-Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Victor M. Javeña EdD
Chief, School Governance and Operations Division and
OIC-Chief, Curriculum Implementation Division

Education Program Supervisors

Librada L. Agon EdD (EPP/TLE/TVL/TVE)

Liza A. Alvarez (Science/STEM/SSP)
Bernard R. Balitao (AP/HUMSS)
Joselito E. Calios (English/SPFL/GAS)
Norlyn D. Conde EdD (MAPEH/SPA/SPS/HOPE/A&D/Sports)
Wilma Q. Del Rosario (LRMS/ADM)
Ma. Teresita E. Herrera EdD (Filipino/GAS/Piling Larang)
Perlita M. Ignacio PhD (EsP)
Dulce O. Santos PhD (Kindergarten/MTB-MLE)
Teresita P. Tagulao EdD (Mathematics/ABM)

Printed in the Philippines by Department of Education – Schools Division of

Pasig City
Earth Science 11
Quarter 1
Self-Learning Module 1
Earth’s Subsystem
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the Earth Science Self-Learning Module 2 on Earth’s Subsystem

This Self-Learning Module was collaboratively designed, developed and

reviewed by educators from the Schools Division Office of Pasig City headed by its
Officer-in-Charge Schools Division Superintendent, Ma. Evalou Concepcion A.
Agustin, in partnership with the City Government of Pasig through its mayor,
Honorable Victor Ma. Regis N. Sotto. The writers utilized the standards set by the K
to 12 Curriculum using the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC) in
developing this instructional resource.

This learning material hopes to engage the learners in guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Further, this also aims to help learners
acquire the needed 21st century skills especially the 5 Cs, namely: Communication,
Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Character while taking into
consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the
body of the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Moreover, you are expected to encourage and assist the
learners as they do the tasks included in the module.
 For the Learner:

Welcome to the Earth Science Self-Learning Module 2 on Earth’s Subsystem

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You
will be enabled to process the contents of the learning material while being an active
learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

Expectations - This points to the set of knowledge and skills

that you will learn after completing the module.

Pretest - This measures your prior knowledge about the lesson

at hand.

Recap - This part of the module provides a review of concepts

and skills that you already know about a previous lesson.

Lesson - This section discusses the topic in the module.

Activities - This is a set of activities that you need to perform.

Wrap-Up - This section summarizes the concepts and

application of the lesson.

Valuing - This part integrates a desirable moral value in the

lesson.

Posttest – This measures how much you have learned from the
entire module.
 EXPECTATIONS

The module is about the Earth’s subsystem

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. explain that the Earth consists of four subsystems, across whose boundaries
matter and energy flow;
2. describe how energy and mass are exchanged among the subsystems;
3. recognize the Earth as a system composed of subsystems.

PRETEST

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.
1. Which of the following is a system in which there is only an exchange of heat
or energy and no exchange of mater?
a. Closed system
b. Opened system
c. Subsystem
d. Solar System
2. Which Earth’s subsystem refers to the set of all life forms on Earth?
a. Atmosphere
b. Biosphere
c. Geosphere
d. Hydrosphere
3. Which of the statements is NOT true about Earth's Atmosphere?
a. Traps the sun's energy and wards off many of the dangers of space.
b. Most important substances needed for life and makes up about 90% of
living things.
c. Containing the oxygen and carbon dioxide, which living things need to
survive
d. Protects and sustains the planet's inhabitants by providing warmth and
absorbing harmful solar rays
4. Which two subsystems are interacting when plants produce oxygen?
a. Atmosphere and Geosphere
b. Biosphere and Atmosphere
c. Biosphere and Hydrosphere
d. Hydrosphere and atmosphere
 5. Which of the following statements is NOT true about Earth System science?
a. Earth System science is a set of physical, chemical, and biological systems
that are interconnected by flows of mass and energy.
b. Earth system science is study of how the four spheres of the Earth system
that interact continually, and each spheres affect the others.
c. Earth system science is divided to four sphere the troposphere,
stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere.
d. Earth system science (ESS) is the application of systems science to the
Earth.

RECAP
In your module 1, you have learned the characteristics of the Earth
that are necessary to support life. Let’s have a simple activity to refresh your mind.
Fill in the blanks, how can Earth sustain life?

1. The Earth is at the ______________distance from the Sun.

2. Not too__________ or __________ from Sun, thus preventing life from
freezing or frying.
3. Our sun is stable and long -lasting star that provides ultimate
_______________________needed to support life.
4. We have ________________ of water.
5. Water helps to ________________our body temperature.
6. The moon also exerts a ________________________on the Earth.
7. The atmosphere can blocks out _____________________from the sun.
8. Without the ozone layer, ultraviolet rays would ________________ most life
on Earth.
9. The _______________is the most abundant element in our atmosphere, is
crucial to life.
10. ________________________range to allow water to exist in liquid as well as
gaseous, and solid forms.
It is nice to know that you can still remember the lesson 1. Let us now
explore our next lesson about Earth subsystem. Read carefully to understand the
lesson.

LESSON

System as a set of interconnected components that are interacting to form

a unified whole. What are the examples of system in science? Correct, the examples
are the solar system, all the body system, the ecosystem, and the earth system.
Today, we are going to focus with the Earth system science. What is Earth system
science? The Earth system science is a study of how the four spheres of the Earth
system interact continually, and how each sphere affects the others. It is also defined
as a set of physical, chemical, and biological systems that are interconnected by flows
of mass and energy.
The four major system of Earth are air, water, land and life. The biological
components of the Earth System is called as sphere. The sphere are divided into four,
the geosphere, the atmosphere, the biosphere and the hydrosphere. Remember that
all the spheres interconnect and overlap. The figure below represent how the
subsystem of the Earth interact among each other.

Figure 1: The Earth system

SOURCE:https://www.earthonlinemedia.com/ebooks/tpe_3e/glossary/e_g/earth_
system.html
The Earth system is a closed system. Closed system is a system in which
there is only an exchange of heat or energy and no exchange of matter. For example
the Earth receives energy from the sun and returns some energy to space.
Before we discuss the four subsystem let’s have a Breathing Exercise.
I want you to inhale and exhale as many as you can. Do a deep inhalation, hold
your breath for a few seconds and then do a deep exhalation. Do this now!
Very good! Doing some Breathing exercises can help us
become healthier and stronger. When we inhale, oxygen enters the lungs and
diffuses into the blood and when we exhale, carbon dioxide goes out. The oxygen
and carbon dioxide are the gases in the atmosphere.
What is atmosphere?
The atmosphere is the thin gaseous layer that surrounds the lithosphere.
It is composed of 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen and 1% of other gases. It is divided
into different layers. Look at the figure 2 the layers of the atmosphere.
 Figure 2: The layers of the Atmosphere
SOURCE:https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Atmosphere_layers.jpg
The Earth’s atmosphere layers are troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere,
thermosphere and exosphere. The troposphere is the lowest layer. We live here, all
weather occurs here, and most clouds appear here. The next layer up is called the
stratosphere, the ozone layer is found within. Above the stratosphere is the
mesosphere, the meteors burn up in this layer. The thermosphere starts just above
the mesosphere, the aurora and satellites occur in this layer. Although some experts
consider the thermosphere to be the uppermost layer of our atmosphere but some
called this as the upper limit of our atmosphere.
What is Hydrosphere?
The word hydrosphere is from the Greek root word Hydro which means
water and sphaira means globe or ball. The Hydrosphere is water surrounding the
surface of the globe. The hydrosphere includes water that is on the surface of the
planet, underground, and in the air. Look at figure 3, how is water distributed
through the earth?

Figure 3: How is water distributed through the earth

SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_resources
About 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered with liquid water. This
water is divided into Salt water which is 96.5 % and the fresh water is only 2.5%.
 The hydrosphere is sub-divided into the fluid water systems and the
cryosphere (the ice systems)
What is Biosphere?
Do we belong to Biosphere? Yes, we are. All animals, plants, bacteria,
fungi, protists, all micro- organisms and human on land, in any water resources
and in the air pertain to biosphere. It covers all ecosystem. The life zone is divided
into two components the living components and non-living components.
What are examples of living components? Yes, the living components are
man, animals, plants and micro-organism. How about the non-living components?
Correct! These are rocks, water, soil, light, temperature and air. The living
components and non-living components work together.
What is Geosphere?
Geosphere refers to all solid parts of the Earth. The land that we use for
planting any vegetation, rocks and minerals ,those we used for building our
bridges, schools or any infrastructure and all the land forms are consider as parts
of the Geosphere. Look at figure 4.

Figure 4: The Earth layers

SOURCE: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Earth_layers_NASA.png
The Earth's Geosphere is divided into different layers. The Earth layers
are crust, mantle, outer core and inner core. Each layer is important for the
formation of the continents
Now, let us see the interactions of four subsystem. The subsystems of the
Earth, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the biosphere and the geosphere interact
with each other. Look at figure 5. Can you identify the different processes and phase
of water involved in the water cycle? Use the following terms to complete the cycle
condensation, precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, infiltration, surface run-off.
 Figure 5: The Water Cycle
SOURCE: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Water_Cycle_-_blank.svg

Congratulations! You are done identifying the different processes and

phase of water involved in the water cycle. Through evaporation, transpiration,
excretion and sublimation water enters the atmosphere. When water returns to
Earth through precipitation, it can either enter the hydrosphere or the geosphere.
Then the water can be use by the living things to survive on Earth
Another example is the carbon cycle. Look at figure 6. How the
subsystem interact?

Figure 6: The Carbon Cycle

SOURCE:https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/ecology/biogeochemical-
cycles/a/the-carbon-cycle
The carbon cycle is defined as the biogeochemical cycle in which carbon is
exchanged between Earth’s terrestrial biosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and
atmosphere. Let us find out how the carbon cycle interact with the four subsystem
• Carbon moves from the atmosphere to plants
• Carbon moves from plants to animals. Through food chains
 • Carbon moves from plants and animals to soils. When plants and animals
die, their bodies, wood and leaves decays bringing the carbon into the
ground.
• Carbon moves from living things to the atmosphere. Each time you exhale,
you are releasing carbon dioxide gas (CO 2) into the atmosphere.
• Carbon moves from fossil fuels to the atmosphere when fuels are burned
• Carbon moves from the atmosphere to the oceans. The oceans, and other
bodies of water, absorb some carbon from the atmosphere. The carbon is
dissolved into the water.

On Earth there are many examples on how the four subsystem interact
to one another. The knowledge the Earth consists of four subsystems, across
whose boundaries matter and energy flow is important to all of us that is the
reason why we should recognize the Earth as a system composed of
subsystems.

ACTIVITIES

Now, do this activity to improve more your understanding of the lesson today. You
are going to do the Activity I-A Exchange of energy and mass among subsystems.
Cut one picture of any of Pasig City sceneries where there is Exchange of
energy and mass among subsystems. Paste it in one coupon bond. Take note of the
presence of living and nonliving components on the scene. Think about how energy
and mass are transferred in the different components of the area. Write what you
think in the same piece of paper.

Activity I-B You may now identify the two spheres that are interacting in each
number.
1. When a volcanic eruption spews gases and ash into the air.
2. When carbon dioxide dissolves from the air into the ocean
3. When nitrogen is returned to the soil when dead plants
4. When there is an El Niño phenomenon.
5. When the man exhales carbon dioxides
6. When the water absorbs by the plants
7. When the water evaporating in the air
8. When human harnessing energy from the water
9. When vegetation takes up carbon dioxide
10. When the flooding rivers wash away the soil
Activity 1-C
Write five word/s pop into your mind when you see the following words below.
1. Atmosphere ____________________________________________________________
2. Biosphere ____________________________________________________________
3. Hydrosphere ____________________________________________________________
4. Geosphere ____________________________________________________________

WRAP-UP

To summarize what you have learned, answer the wrap up activity. Match
each of the words below with the right sphere of the Earth. Choose from the words
in the box below.

Tree Stratosphere Lake Troposphere Alligator

River oxygen Ocean Mountain Crust
Sunflower Inner core Carbon dioxide Soil Ground water
Ozone layer Minerals Fishes Bacteria Sea

1. Atmosphere
___________________________________________________________________________
2. Hydrosphere
___________________________________________________________________________
3. Biosphere
___________________________________________________________________________
4. Geosphere
_____________________________________________________________________

5. Describe a five situations where two or more spheres are interacting. Which
spheres are they?

VALUING
.
Have a short realization while you are staying at home. Why we
need to interact with other spheres to survive on Earth? Take a picture with
your family and paste it on one whole sheet of paper. Describe how each
member of family can interacts with other sphere.
 POSTTEST

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.

1. What makes Earth special compared to other planets?

a. It has liquid water
b. It has the densest atmosphere
c. It is the closest planet to the Sun
d. It is covered with bare rock and dust
2. Which Earth’s subsystem refers to a water that is on the surface of the planet,
underground, and in the air?
a. Atmosphere
b. Biosphere
c. Geosphere
d. Hydrosphere
3. Which of the following is an example of biosphere connecting to atmosphere
a. Plants produce oxygen
b. Man drinks water
c. Animal eats plant
d. Worm lives in soil
4. Which of the following statements is NOT true about Earth System science?
a. Earth System science is a set of physical, chemical, and biological systems
that are interconnected by flows of mass and energy.
b. Earth system science is study of how the four spheres of the Earth system
that interact continually, and each spheres affect the others.
c. Earth system science is divided to four sphere the troposphere, stratosphere,
mesosphere and thermosphere.
d. Earth system science (ESS) is the application of systems science to the Earth.
5. Minerals and rocks are the main components of this system
a. Atmosphere
b. Biosphere
c. Geosphere
d. Hydrosphere
 WRAP-UP
1. Atmosphere: Stratosphere, troposphere, oxygen, Carbon dioxide, ozone
layer
2. Hydrosphere: lake, river, ocean, ground water, sea
3. Biosphere: tree, sunflower, alligator, fish, bacteria
4. Geosphere: mountain, crust, inner core, soil, minerals
5. Student answers will vary. You may consult your Science teacher through
your class group chat.
VALUING
Student answers will vary. You may consult your Science teacher through
your class group chat.
POST TEST
1. a 2. d 3. a 4. c 5. c
KEY TO CORRECTION
 students.
Answer may vary depending on the five word/s that pop into mind of the
Activity 1-C
10. Hydrosphere and Geosphere 9. Biosphere and Atmosphere
8. Biosphere and Hydrosphere 7. Hydrosphere and Atmosphere

6. Hydrosphere and Biosphere 5. Biosphere and Atmosphere

4. Hydrosphere and Atmosphere 3. Atmosphere and Biosphere
2. Atmosphere and Hydrosphere 1. Geosphere and Atmosphere
Activity 1-B
chat.
students. You may consult your Science teacher through your class group
Answer may vary depending on the illustration and interpretation of the
For Activity I-A,
pull
Temperature Gravitational UV rays
10. 9. Nitrogen 8.destroy 6. 7.Harmful
energy far
5.. regulates 4. abundance 3. Sources of 1. Right 2. close

RECAP
5.c 4.b 3.b 2.b 1. a PRETEST

References
external), Tim White(link is. n.d. https://www.e-
education.psu.edu/earth530/content/l3_p4.html.
"National Aeronautics and Space Administration." August 7, 2017.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/science/atmosphere-
layers2.html.
National Geographic. n.d.
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/hydrosphere/.
Science Learning Hub – Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao . June 2, 2009.
https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/721-the-water-cycle.
Tarbuck, Edward J., and Frederick K Lutgens. Thirteeth Edition Earth Science.
United States of America: Pearson Education, Inc., n.d.
Teaching Guide For Senior High School Earth Science. 2016.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. 2015.
https://scied.ucar.edu/atmosphere-layers.