The Earth as a System

Earth’s Spheres
 What is a System?

A set of connected items or devices

that operate together
 Earth as a System
• The study of the interactions
between and among events and
Earth’s spheres
 Earth’s Sphere
•Atmosphere
•Hydrosphere
•Lithosphere
•Biosphere

Lithosphere
 Atmosphere
• A gaseous sphere and it
envelopes the Earth,

• Consists of a mixture of
gases composed
primarily of nitrogen,
oxygen, carbon dioxide,
and water vapor.
Hydrosphere

• All of the water on

Earth

• 71% of the earth

is covered by
water and only
29% is terra firma
 Lithosphere
• The Earth's solid
surface, often called
the crust of the earth.
It includes continental
and oceanic crust as
well as the various
layers of the Earth's
interior.
 Biosphere
• All life on earth, including
man, and all organisms.

• The life zone on our

planet distinguishes our
planet from the others in
the solar system.
 Interconnected Spheres
• Spheres are closely connected
• Changes are often chain reactions

• A change in one sphere results in changes in others -

called an event
• Forest fire destroys plants in an area

• Interactions between spheres

• No plants => erosion
• Soil in water => increased turbidity (muddy water)
• Turbidity => impacts water plants/animals
INSIDE THE EARTH

The Lithosphere
The layers of the Earth
The rock cycle
Lets Rock!
3 Types of Rocks

There are 3
different types Igneous

of rocks:
• Igneous
• Sedimentary Metamorphic Sedimentary
• Metamorphic
The Rock
Cycle
• The rock cycle is the natural, continuous process that
forms, breaks down, and reforms rock through
geological, chemical, and physical processes. Through
the cycle, rocks convert between igneous,
metamorphic, and sedimentary forms.
Igneous Rock
Igneous rocks are formed by magma and lava as it cools.
Igneous rocks form in two different ways.

• Rock that comes from lava cools very fast and can
either be very light and airy or the rocks can be glassy.

• Rocks that come from magma are formed under

ground. They are often times very hard and have more
colors.
Sedimentary Rock
• Sedimentary rock is made when sediments (sand,
gravel, and dirt) are pressed together over time and
become a rock
• Sedimentary rock is formed in layers.
Metamorphic Rock
• Metamorphic rocks are made from other rocks.
• Heat and pressure help change an igneous or
sedimentary rock into a new kind of rock (think
about how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly)
The Rock Cycle
 Question 1
Define the following terms.

1.1. Biosphere.

1.2. System

1.3. Lithosphere

1.4. Atmosphere

1.5. Hydrosphere.
 Question 2.
2.1. Explain how the lithosphere is interconnected to the
biosphere. (2)

2.2. Explain how the biosphere and the atmosphere are

interconnected. (4)

2.3. Explain how the biosphere and the hydrosphere are

interconnected. (4)

2.4. Tabulated 2 differences between igneous,

sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. (8)
 Question 3

3. Provide the letter and the name of

3.1. The thickest layer of the earth.
3.2. The layer where life is found.
3.3. the thinnest layer.
3.4. The innermost layer of the earth
 Question 4
4.1. Provide labels for A, B and C

4.2. Provide two types of igneous rocks

and explain how they are formed.

4.3. Provide labels for processes 1 to 5.

4.4. Give one example of rock B and C

respectively.
LAYERS OF THE EARTH’S
ATMOSPHERE
Layers of the Earth’s Atmosphere
From top to Bottom

• Thermosphere
• Mesosphere
• Stratosphere
• Troposphere
 TROPOSPHERE
• Lowest and thinnest layer
—16 km at equator, 8 km at poles
• 90% of the atmosphere’s mass
• Temperature decreases with altitude
—6°C per kilometer
—Top of troposphere averages
—–50°C
• Where weather occurs
• Boundary between the troposphere, and
the stratosphere is called the tropopause
 STRATOSPHERE
• Extends from 10 km to 50 km above
the ground
• Less dense (less water vapor)
• Temperature increases with altitude
• Almost no weather occurrence
• Contains high level of ozone
> ozone layer
❑Upper boundary is called stratopause
 MESOSPHERE
• Extends to almost
80 km high
• Gases are less dense.
• Temperature decreases
as altitude increases.
◼ Gases in this layer
absorb very little UV
radiation.
 THERMOSPHERE
• above the mesosphere and
extends to almost 600 km
high
• temperature increases with
altitude
• readily absorbs solar
radiation
• Temperature can go as high
as 1,500 °C
• reflects radio waves
Structure of Atmosphere
Stratospheric ozone is good ozone
—protects Earth from harmful UV
radiation
—depletion is detrimental to life

Tropospheric ozone is bad ozone

—In the troposphere, ozone is a
pollutant .
• CFCs (pollutant)
Ozone Depletion
• main cause is CFC pollution
• radiation from the sun causes the
CFCs to break down
• releases one chlorine atom
• Chlorine atom reacts with ozone
(O3 ) molecules forming chlorine
oxide(ClO) and oxygen gas ( O2).
Global Warming

• An increase in Earth’s average surface

temperature caused by an increase in
greenhouse gases.

• caused by Greenhouse Effect

Greenhouse Effect
• the trapping of heat by gases in the
atmosphere
Greenhouse gases
> carbon dioxide
> sulfur dioxide
> ozone
> CFCs
> water vapor
 Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change

• Greenhouse gases, such as

carbon dioxide and
contribute to the enhanced
greenhouse effect.
• Human activities, such as
burning fossil fuels and
deforestation, increase the
concentration of
gases in the atmosphere,
leading to climate change.
 Causes of Climate Change

• Climate change is primarily

caused by human activities,
such as the burning of fossil
fuels and deforestation.
• These activities release
greenhouse gases into the
atmosphere, trapping more
heat and leading to global
warming.
• Other factors, such as
volcanic eruptions and
variations in solar radiation,
can also contribute to
climate change.
 Multiple Choice Question

• What are the primary

greenhouse gases
responsible for climate
change?
• A) Nitrogen and oxygen
• B) Carbon dioxide and
methane
• C) Water vapor and ozone
• D) Argon and helium
 Effects of Climate Change

• Climate change has various

impacts, including rising sea
levels, extreme weather
events, loss of biodiversity,
and disruptions in
ecosystems.
• It also poses risks to human
health, food security, and
water availability.
 Taking Action Against Climate Change

• Mitigating climate change

requires global cooperation
and individual actions.
• Measures include reducing
greenhouse gas emissions,
transitioning to renewable
energy sources, and
conserving natural
resources.
 Discussion Prompt

Discuss with your classmates:

What can you do to reduce
your carbon footprint and
contribute to fighting climate
change?
 Effects of Greenhouse Gas Pollution
• Global warming
> ice in polar caps will begin to melt
> water in the ocean expands
> flooding in lowlands
and coastal areas
> changes in weather
patterns
Recall

Identify the layers of the atmosphere based on

the given descriptions.
1. the layer where weather occurs
2. the coldest layer
3. the ozone layer is part of this layer
4. the hottest layer
5. the layer above the troposphere
The atmosphere.
Surprise test.
 Question 1
1.1. What is the term for the layer of the Earth's atmosphere that is closest to the planet's
surface?

1.2. Which atmospheric layer is characterized by a temperature increase with altitude and
contains the ozone layer?

1.3. What is the name of the layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere where weather
phenomena occur?

1.4. What term describes the uppermost layer of the Earth's atmosphere where the
auroras(northern lights) are commonly observed?

1.5.Which atmospheric layer extends from approximately 50 kilometers to 85 kilometers above

the Earth's surface?

1.6. In which atmospheric layer does the majority of Earth's weather, including clouds and
precipitation, occur?
 Question 2

2.1. Which gas makes up the majority of Earth's

atmosphere by volume?
A) Nitrogen
B) Oxygen
C) Carbon Dioxide
D) Hydrogen

2.2. What is the primary function of the ozone layer in the

Earth's atmosphere?
A) Absorbing ultraviolet (UV) radiation
B) Generating oxygen for respiration
C) Regulating carbon dioxide levels
D) Facilitating cloud formation
2.3. Which atmospheric layer is known for containing the
ionosphere, where radio waves can be refracted and
reflected?
A) Troposphere
B) Stratosphere
C) Mesosphere
D) Thermosphere
2.4. Which of the following is NOT considered a greenhouse
gas in the Earth's atmosphere?
A) Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
B) Methane (CH4)
C) Nitrogen (N2)
D) Water Vapor (H2O)
2.5.Which atmospheric component is primarily responsible
for the greenhouse effect?

A) Nitrogen
B) Oxygen
C) Carbon dioxide
D) Argon
2.6.Which layer of the atmosphere has the highest
concentration of ozone molecules?

A) Troposphere
B) Mesosphere
C) Stratosphere
D) Exosphere
 Question 3

Study the following image and answer the questions that follow.

C
B

3.1. Provide labels for layers A to D

3.2. What is the relationship between altitude and temperature on layers A and
B?

3.3. Briefly explain what is meant by greenhouse effect.

3.4. Define the term global warming.

3.5. Provide 3 effects of global warming.

3.6. Temperature decreases by 5°C every 1000m in the troposphere. At an

altitude of 3000m the temperature was found to be 7 °C. What will the
temperature be at 7000m?
Show all your calculations.
 Mining In
South Africa
Mining in South Africa
Finding Minerals, Extracting Ores, Crushing and Milling,
Separating Minerals from Waste, Refining Minerals
 Introduction to Mining in South Africa
• Mining is the process of
extracting valuable minerals or
other geological materials from
the earth's crust for various
purposes.
• South Africa is rich in mineral
resources, making it a leading
producer of gold, platinum, coal,
and other valuable minerals.
• Mining plays a significant role in
the South African economy,
contributing to job creation and
economic growth.
 Minerals Found in South Africa
• South Africa is known for its rich
deposits of gold, diamonds,
platinum, coal, manganese,
chromium, and many other
minerals.
• Gold is one of the most valuable
minerals found in South Africa
and has been a major
contributor to the country's
economy.
• Diamonds are also highly sought
after and have played a
significant role in South Africa's
mining industry.
 Would You Rather

Which mineral would you rather

mine: gold or diamond?
 Extracting Ores and Their Uses

• Ores are rocks that contain

minerals or metals that can be
economically extracted.
• Ores are extracted through
processes such as drilling,
blasting, and underground
mining.
• Extracted ores are used for
various purposes, including
manufacturing, energy
production, and jewelry making.
 The Process of Crushing and Milling

• After extraction, ores are

crushed and milled to reduce
their size and increase the
surface area for efficient mineral
extraction.
• Crushing involves breaking the
ore into smaller pieces, while
milling involves grinding the ore
into a fine powder.
• Crushing and milling are
essential steps in mineral
processing and preparation for
further separation and refining.
 Did You Know

How many tons of ore can be

crushed in an hour?
 Separating Minerals from Waste

• After crushing and milling, the

next step is to separate the
valuable minerals from the
waste rock or gangue.
• Various techniques such as
gravity separation, magnetic
separation, and flotation are
used to separate minerals based
on their physical and chemical
properties.
• Separating minerals from waste
is crucial for maximizing the
value of the extracted ores and
reducing environmental impact.
 Importance of Separating Minerals from Waste

• Separating minerals from waste

helps conserve natural resources
by extracting and utilizing
valuable minerals effectively.
• It also reduces the
environmental impact of mining
operations by minimizing the
amount of waste rock and
tailings generated.
• Efficient separation techniques
ensure that the maximum value
is obtained from the mined ores,
contributing to economic
sustainability.
 True or False

Separating minerals from waste

helps conserve natural resources.
 Refining Minerals

• After separation, the minerals

undergo further processing
known as refining to improve
their purity and quality.
• Refining techniques include
smelting, electrolysis, and
chemical processes to remove
impurities and enhance the
desired properties of the
minerals.
• Refined minerals are used in
various industries such as
electronics, construction, and
automotive manufacturing.
Enhancing the Quality of Minerals through Refining

• Refining improves the purity of

minerals by removing impurities,
making them more suitable for
specific applications.
• It enhances the physical,
chemical, and mechanical
properties of minerals,
increasing their value and
usability in various industries.
• Refining processes ensure that
the final products meet the
required quality standards and
customer specifications.
 Multiple Choice Question

Which process improves the purity

of minerals: crushing or refining?
 Environmental Impact of Mining in South Africa

• Mining activities can have

significant environmental
impacts, including habitat
destruction, soil erosion, water
pollution, and air pollution.
• Efforts are being made to
minimize these impacts through
responsible mining practices,
environmental regulations, and
reclamation of mined areas.
• It is important to balance the
economic benefits of mining
with the need to protect and
conserve the environment for
future generations.
 Recap and Review of Key Concepts

• Mining in South Africa involves

finding minerals, extracting ores,
crushing and milling, separating
minerals from waste, and
refining minerals.
• South Africa is rich in mineral
resources, and mining plays a
vital role in the country's
economy.
• The process of separating
minerals from waste helps
conserve natural resources and
reduce environmental impact.
• Refining improves the purity and
quality of minerals, making them
more valuable and suitable for