🌍 Part 1: Earth's Systems Knowledge

1. Which four systems make up Earth's environment?

Geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere

Land, water, air, plants

Rocks, oceans, clouds, animals

Mountains, rivers, wind, forests

2. When rain falls on a mountain and breaks down rock into smaller pieces, which systems are interacting? (Check all that apply)

Atmosphere

Hydrosphere

Geosphere

Biosphere

3. A tree's roots growing into cracks in a rock and eventually splitting it apart is an example of:

Only the biosphere affecting the geosphere

The biosphere and hydrosphere affecting the geosphere

Only weathering

Only erosion

4. Match each Earth system with its correct description:

Atmosphere

Hydrosphere

Geosphere

Biosphere

All living things on Earth

All water on Earth

All gases surrounding Earth

All solid parts of Earth

🔄 Part 2: Systems Interactions Analysis

Scenario: A scientist studied a forest after a heavy rainstorm. She observed: water flowing down hillsides carrying soil and small rocks, plants with damaged leaves, animals seeking shelter, and streams becoming muddy with sediment.

5. List three different system interactions you can identify from this scenario:

6. The process of water carrying soil and rocks down the hillside is called _______________.

7. Explain how plants help prevent soil from washing away during rainstorms:

8. When ocean water evaporates and forms clouds, which two systems are directly interacting?

_________________ and _________________

📊 Part 3: Systems Diagram & Critical Thinking

9. In the box below, draw a simple diagram showing how all four Earth systems interact during a thunderstorm. Label each system and use arrows to show the interactions.

10. A farmer notices that after plowing his field (removing all plants), more soil washes away when it rains. Explain this observation using your knowledge of Earth's systems:

11. Which statement best describes how Earth's systems work together?

Each system works independently without affecting others

Systems only interact during major events like storms

All systems are constantly interacting and affecting each other

Only the atmosphere and hydrosphere interact regularly

12. Give one example of how humans (part of the biosphere) can affect each of the other three systems: