5th Grade Science : Interactions of the Four Spheres of Earth

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 5th Grade Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Model Ways The Four Spheres Of Earth Interact

Screen shot 2020 06 30 at 2.34.58 pm

The model shows a venn diagram comparing three of Earth's four spheres. Which of these Earth events belongs in position D because it is influenced by all three?

Possible Answers:

Heavy rain and flooding causes a landslide. A home is destroyed.

A volcano erupts and lava flows down the mountain side. The rock below melts.

A farmer uses a tractor to till soil and grow crops. It releases Carbon into the air.

An earthquake causes a tsunami. Several people are injured.

Correct answer:

A farmer uses a tractor to till soil and grow crops. It releases Carbon into the air.

Explanation:

The Lithosphere- contains all of the solid land of the planet's crust, the semi-solid land underneath the crust, and even the molten part of Earth’s core.

The Hydrosphere- contains all the water of the planet, which exists in solid, liquid, and gas forms. Water flows as precipitation from the atmosphere down to Earth's surface, as rivers and streams along Earth's surface, and as groundwater beneath Earth's surface. Most of Earth's freshwater, however, is frozen.

The Biosphere
- contains all the planet's living things. This sphere includes all of the microorganisms, plants, and animals of Earth. 

Within the biosphere, living things form ecological communities based on the physical surroundings of an area. These communities are referred to as biomes. Deserts, grasslands, and tropical rainforests are three of the many types of biomes that exist within the biosphere.

The Atmosphere-contains all the air in Earth's system. The upper portion of the atmosphere protects the organisms of the biosphere from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. It also absorbs and emits heat. This sphere is also where weather occurs.

Most Earth events involve interaction between multiple spheres. For example, rain is the movement of water (the hydrosphere) from the atmosphere to the lithosphere where it collects in lakes, rivers, or streams. Water is an important resource for inhabitants of the biosphere.

 

Example Question #2 : Model Ways The Four Spheres Of Earth Interact

Screen shot 2020 06 30 at 2.34.58 pm

The model shows a venn diagram comparing three of Earth's four spheres. Which of these answer choices does NOT belong in the model?

Possible Answers:

oxygen in the air

the oceans

Earth's crust

plants and animals

Correct answer:

the oceans

Explanation:

The Lithosphere- contains all of the solid land of the planet's crust, the semi-solid land underneath the crust, and even the molten part of Earth’s core.

The Hydrosphere- contains all the water of the planet, which exists in solid, liquid, and gas forms. Water flows as precipitation from the atmosphere down to Earth's surface, as rivers and streams along Earth's surface, and as groundwater beneath Earth's surface. Most of Earth's freshwater, however, is frozen.

The Biosphere
- contains all the planet's living things. This sphere includes all of the microorganisms, plants, and animals of Earth. 

Within the biosphere, living things form ecological communities based on the physical surroundings of an area. These communities are referred to as biomes. Deserts, grasslands, and tropical rainforests are three of the many types of biomes that exist within the biosphere.

The Atmosphere-contains all the air in Earth's system. The upper portion of the atmosphere protects the organisms of the biosphere from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. It also absorbs and emits heat. This sphere is also where weather occurs.

Most Earth events involve interaction between multiple spheres. For example, rain is the movement of water (the hydrosphere) from the atmosphere to the lithosphere where it collects in lakes, rivers, or streams. Water is an important resource for inhabitants of the biosphere.

 

Example Question #1 : Interactions Of The Four Spheres Of Earth

Screen shot 2020 06 30 at 3.46.47 pm

The model shows the direction of effects on 3 of Earth's spheres.

In the scenario, a herd of cattle grazes on a patch of grass. When the grass is gone, the dirt beneath becomes loose and soft. What belongs in the blanks?

Possible Answers:

Hydrosphere, Biosphere, Lithosphere

Biosphere, Lithosphere, Biosphere,

Biosphere, Lithosphere, Hydrosphere

Biosphere, Biosphere, Lithosphere

Correct answer:

Biosphere, Biosphere, Lithosphere

Explanation:

The Lithosphere- contains all of the solid land of the planet's crust, the semi-solid land underneath the crust, and even the molten part of Earth’s core.

The Hydrosphere- contains all the water of the planet, which exists in solid, liquid, and gas forms. Water flows as precipitation from the atmosphere down to Earth's surface, as rivers and streams along Earth's surface, and as groundwater beneath Earth's surface. Most of Earth's freshwater, however, is frozen.

The Biosphere
- contains all the planet's living things. This sphere includes all of the microorganisms, plants, and animals of Earth. 

Within the biosphere, living things form ecological communities based on the physical surroundings of an area. These communities are referred to as biomes. Deserts, grasslands, and tropical rainforests are three of the many types of biomes that exist within the biosphere.

The Atmosphere-contains all the air in Earth's system. The upper portion of the atmosphere protects the organisms of the biosphere from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. It also absorbs and emits heat. This sphere is also where weather occurs.

Most Earth events involve interaction between multiple spheres. For example, rain is the movement of water (the hydrosphere) from the atmosphere to the lithosphere where it collects in lakes, rivers, or streams. Water is an important resource for inhabitants of the biosphere.

 

Example Question #3 : Model Ways The Four Spheres Of Earth Interact

Screen shot 2020 06 30 at 3.59.47 pm

What two spheres are represented in the image?

Possible Answers:

the hydrosphere and the atmosphere

the atmosphere and the biosphere

the lithosphere and the hydrosphere

the biosphere and the lithosphere

Correct answer:

the hydrosphere and the atmosphere

Explanation:

The Lithosphere- contains all of the solid land of the planet's crust, the semi-solid land underneath the crust, and even the molten part of Earth’s core.

The Hydrosphere- contains all the water of the planet, which exists in solid, liquid, and gas forms. Water flows as precipitation from the atmosphere down to Earth's surface, as rivers and streams along Earth's surface, and as groundwater beneath Earth's surface. Most of Earth's freshwater, however, is frozen.

The Biosphere
- contains all the planet's living things. This sphere includes all of the microorganisms, plants, and animals of Earth. 

Within the biosphere, living things form ecological communities based on the physical surroundings of an area. These communities are referred to as biomes. Deserts, grasslands, and tropical rainforests are three of the many types of biomes that exist within the biosphere.

The Atmosphere-contains all the air in Earth's system. The upper portion of the atmosphere protects the organisms of the biosphere from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. It also absorbs and emits heat. This sphere is also where weather occurs.

Most Earth events involve interaction between multiple spheres. For example, rain is the movement of water (the hydrosphere) from the atmosphere to the lithosphere where it collects in lakes, rivers, or streams. Water is an important resource for inhabitants of the biosphere.

 

Example Question #4 : Model Ways The Four Spheres Of Earth Interact

Screen shot 2020 06 30 at 3.46.47 pm

Which sequence of events shows the hydrosphere effecting the biosphere, then the biosphere effecting another part of the biosphere?

Possible Answers:

A: rain clouds form

B: rain washes trash into the sewers

C: people have to clean it up

A: it rains

B: animals drink water

C: animals get eaten by people

A: a tornado forms

B: the tornado rips up trees

C: trees are in the air

A: people breathe in oxygen

B: people breathe out carbon dioxide

C: the air is full of carbon dioxide

Correct answer:

A: it rains

B: animals drink water

C: animals get eaten by people

Explanation:

The Lithosphere- contains all of the solid land of the planet's crust, the semi-solid land underneath the crust, and even the molten part of Earth’s core.

The Hydrosphere- contains all the water of the planet, which exists in solid, liquid, and gas forms. Water flows as precipitation from the atmosphere down to Earth's surface, as rivers and streams along Earth's surface, and as groundwater beneath Earth's surface. Most of Earth's freshwater, however, is frozen.

The Biosphere
- contains all the planet's living things. This sphere includes all of the microorganisms, plants, and animals of Earth. 

Within the biosphere, living things form ecological communities based on the physical surroundings of an area. These communities are referred to as biomes. Deserts, grasslands, and tropical rainforests are three of the many types of biomes that exist within the biosphere.

The Atmosphere-contains all the air in Earth's system. The upper portion of the atmosphere protects the organisms of the biosphere from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. It also absorbs and emits heat. This sphere is also where weather occurs.

Most Earth events involve interaction between multiple spheres. For example, rain is the movement of water (the hydrosphere) from the atmosphere to the lithosphere where it collects in lakes, rivers, or streams. Water is an important resource for inhabitants of the biosphere.

 

Example Question #163 : 5th Grade Science

What sphere interactions can you infer from this photograph?

Screen shot 2020 09 25 at 9.53.24 am

Possible Answers:

Plants (atmosphere) draw water (hydrosphere) and nutrients from the soil and release water vapor into the atmosphere.

Plants (lithosphere) draw water (biosphere) and nutrients from the soil and release water vapor into the atmosphere.

Plants (biosphere) draw water (hydrosphere) and nutrients from the soil and release water vapor into the atmosphere.

Plants (hydrosphere) draw water (biosphere) and nutrients from the soil and release water vapor into the atmosphere.

Correct answer:

Plants (biosphere) draw water (hydrosphere) and nutrients from the soil and release water vapor into the atmosphere.

Explanation:

Four spheres are all independent parts of a system. The spheres interact with each other, and a change in one area can cause a change in another. Plants (biosphere) draw water (hydrosphere) and nutrients from the soil and release water vapor into the atmosphere. The biosphere
 contains all the planet's living things. This sphere includes all of the microorganisms, plants, and animals of Earth. The hydrosphere contains all the water of the planet, which exists in solid, liquid, and gas forms.

Example Question #3 : Interactions Of The Four Spheres Of Earth

What sphere interactions can you infer from this photograph?

Screen shot 2020 09 25 at 9.53.24 am

Possible Answers:

Humans (hydrosphere) use farm machinery manufactured from geosphere materials to plow the fields, and the atmosphere brings precipitation (biosphere) to water the plants.

Humans (lithosphere) use farm machinery manufactured from geosphere materials to plow the fields, and the atmosphere brings precipitation (biosphere) to water the plants.

Humans (atmosphere) use farm machinery manufactured from geosphere materials to plow the fields, and the atmosphere brings precipitation (hydrosphere) to water the plants.

Humans (biosphere) use farm machinery manufactured from geosphere materials to plow the fields, and the atmosphere brings precipitation (hydrosphere) to water the plants.

Correct answer:

Humans (biosphere) use farm machinery manufactured from geosphere materials to plow the fields, and the atmosphere brings precipitation (hydrosphere) to water the plants.

Explanation:

Four spheres are all independent parts of a system. The spheres interact with each other, and a change in one area can cause a change in another. Humans (biosphere) use farm machinery manufactured from geosphere materials to plow the fields, and the atmosphere brings precipitation (hydrosphere) to water the plants. The biosphere contains all the planet’s living things. This sphere includes all of the microorganisms, plants, and animals of Earth. The hydrosphere contains all the water of the planet, which exists in solid, liquid, and gas forms.

Example Question #4 : Interactions Of The Four Spheres Of Earth

What sphere interactions can you infer from this photograph?

Screen shot 2020 09 25 at 9.53.24 am

Possible Answers:

Energy from the sun is stored by plants (biosphere). When humans or animals (lithosphere) eat the plants, they acquire the energy originally captured by the plants.

Energy from the sun is stored by plants (biosphere). When humans or animals (biosphere) eat the plants, they acquire the energy originally captured by the plants.

Energy from the sun is stored by plants (lithosphere). When humans or animals (geosphere) eat the plants, they acquire the energy originally captured by the plants.

Energy from the sun is stored by plants (atmosphere). When humans or animals (biosphere) eat the plants, they acquire the energy originally captured by the plants.

Correct answer:

Energy from the sun is stored by plants (biosphere). When humans or animals (biosphere) eat the plants, they acquire the energy originally captured by the plants.

Explanation:

Four spheres are all independent parts of a system. The spheres interact with each other, and a change in one area can cause a change in another. Energy from the sun is stored by plants (biosphere). When humans or animals (biosphere) eat the plants, they acquire the energy originally captured by the plants. The biosphere contains all the planet’s living things. This sphere includes all of the microorganisms, plants, and animals of Earth.

Example Question #1 : Interactions Of The Four Spheres Of Earth

Which interaction(s) is occurring between the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere in this landscape?

Screen shot 2020 09 25 at 10.14.47 am

Possible Answers:

Plant roots stabilize the soil

All of the answer choices are correct.

Oceans absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

Wave action carries sand that polishes rocks on the beach

None of the answer choices are correct.

Correct answer:

All of the answer choices are correct.

Explanation:

Four spheres are all independent parts of a system. The spheres interact with each other, and a change in one area can cause a change in another. The biosphere contains all the planet’s living things. This sphere includes all of the microorganisms, plants, and animals of Earth. The hydrosphere contains all the water of the planet, which exists in solid, liquid, and gas forms. The lithosphere contains all of the solid land of the planet's crust, the semi-solid land underneath the crust, and even the molten part of Earth’s core. The atmosphere contains all the air in the Earth's system. The upper portion of the atmosphere protects the organisms of the biosphere from the sun's ultraviolet radiation.

Example Question #1 : Interactions Of The Four Spheres Of Earth

The lithosphere contains all of the solid land of the planet's crust, the semi-solid land underneath the crust, and even the molten part of Earth’s core. What is the other term for the lithosphere?

Possible Answers:

Biosphere

Geosphere

Hydrosphere

Atmosphere

Correct answer:

Geosphere

Explanation:

Geo means “earth.” The Earth’s geosphere is the portion of the Earth that includes rocks and minerals. Four spheres are all independent parts of a system. The spheres interact with each other, and a change in one area can cause a change in another.

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