UNIT

2

Natural Science 1

The Earth’s spheres

The Earth

is organised in

Layers

which are

Geosphere

Biosphere

Hydrosphere

Atmosphere

These layers

Are related to each other

And we get

from them which can be

Renewables Non-renewables

Natural resources

UNIT

2

Natural Science 1

The Earth’s spheres

Geosphere

During the Earth’s formation materials were ordered in spheres according to their density. The densest materials sank and formed the geosphere, which is made up of three layers:

-Core

-Mantle

-Crust.

We get several natural non-renewable resources from this sphere, such as minerals, metals, fossil fuels or the ground itself.

UNIT

2

Natural Science 1

The Earth’s spheres

Hydrosphere

During the Earth’s formation the least dense materials remained in the outer spheres, which are the hydrosphere and the atmosphere. The hydrosphere is made up of all the water on the planet, and from it we get several natural resources.

-This is the habitat of many living beings.

-It provides us with the water we need for living, watering crops, making industrial processes, …

-We use the movement of water to produce energy.

UNIT

2

Natural Science 1

The Earth’s spheres

Atmosphere

This is the outer sphere of the Earth. It is formed by all the gases that make up the air, and it develops some functions which are essential for life on Earth.

It gives us the oxygen we need to breathe and also the carbon dioxide plants need to make photosynthesis happen.

In addition, the movement of the air (the wind) is a natural renewable resource, thanks to which we produce electric power in wind power plants.

UNIT

2

Natural Science 1

The Earth’s spheres

Biosphere

This is the global sum of all the living beings that inhabit the spheres of the Earth: the fish or algae for example, that live in the hydrosphere; the birds, the insects and others of the atmosphere; the mammals, the reptiles, the plants,… all of which can be found on the crust of the geosphere.

We acquire natural renewable resources from this sphere. We use these resources to obtain energy (burning wood), to feed ourselves or to make a large number of products.

UNIT

2

Natural Science 1

The Earth’s spheres

1. Make a chart in your notebook, similar to the one shown at the beginning, and include the natural resources of each sphere of the Earth.

2. In your opinion, what problems can the depletion of oil cause? Mention several measures you can take to reduce the consumption of oil.

3. If water is an inexhaustible resource, why is saving water important?

4. The atmosphere contains the oxygen we breathe, besides other substances. Do you know what these substances are? Mention the most abundant of these substances and look for information about them.

5. What is sustainable development?

Activities