Global Systems And Solar Energy

Submitted By rylanmartyn
Words: 568
Pages: 3

Global Systems and Solar Energy:
A system is the object or group of objects scientists wish to study.
Systems have a boundary, everything other than the system is called the surroundings.
Researchers can learn a lot about a particular system by observing what enters and leaves it.
Systems are classified according to the interactions of a particular system with its surroundings.

Open Systems
Allows energy and matter to cross the systems boundaries, for example: an aspen tree; gases are exchanged and solar energy enters the tree.

Closed Systems
Allows energy but not matter to cross the systems boundaries, for example: the earth; solar energy enters the atmosphere radiant energy is given off.

Isolated Systems
Neither matter nor energy cross the boundary, for example; the universe is the only true isolated system.

Earth as a System
Boundary of Earth is the atmosphere. Solar energy enters the atmosphere. Some energy is reflected and some energy is absorbed.
Some of the energy absorbed by the atmosphere is absorbed by Earth’s surface, and some is reflected away.
All of the energy that is absorbed by the atmosphere and by the surface of the earth is reflected back into space.

Earths Biosphere
Global system
When radiant Sun energy reaches Earth it interacts with a thin layer of air, land and water.
All life exists between this thin layer
1. Air: Atmosphere
2. Land: Lithosphere
3. Water: Hydrosphere
Atmosphere
Mixture of nitrogen and oxygen and other gases that extend 800km above the Earths surface.
Concentrated in the lower 2 layers
1. The Troposphere: planes, Mount Everest (0-12km)
2. The Stratosphere: ozone layer (13-15km)

Lithosphere
Earth’s crust that forms land (continental crust) above sea level and at the ocean bottom (oceanic crust) as well as the upper part of the Earth’s mantle.
Varies in thickness from 100-200km.
Hydrosphere
Water on or near Earth’s surface; includes oceans, lakes, rivers, streams and water in the atmosphere.
Earth’s surface is 70% land, and 30% water.
The hydrosphere plays an important role in sunlight absorption and thermal energy distribution.
Clouds reflect much of the incoming solar radiation.
Cryosphere is temporarily frozen water, for example; polar ice caps, glaciers, snow, permafrost.

Climates and Seasons
Climate is the