Cause and Effect Among Systems - 5th Grade Science
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What is a cause-and-effect relationship in Earth systems?
What is a cause-and-effect relationship in Earth systems?
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One change (cause) produces a result (effect) in a system. Events in one system trigger changes in another system.
One change (cause) produces a result (effect) in a system. Events in one system trigger changes in another system.
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What are the four main Earth systems commonly studied in 5th grade science?
What are the four main Earth systems commonly studied in 5th grade science?
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Geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere. These four systems interact and affect each other on Earth.
Geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere. These four systems interact and affect each other on Earth.
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Identify the effect on the atmosphere when a large volcano erupts and releases ash.
Identify the effect on the atmosphere when a large volcano erupts and releases ash.
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More particles in air; reduced sunlight and cooler temperatures. Ash blocks sunlight, cooling Earth's surface temperature.
More particles in air; reduced sunlight and cooler temperatures. Ash blocks sunlight, cooling Earth's surface temperature.
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Identify the effect on the hydrosphere when air temperatures stay below freezing for days.
Identify the effect on the hydrosphere when air temperatures stay below freezing for days.
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More water freezes into ice and snow. Cold air causes liquid water to change state to solid ice.
More water freezes into ice and snow. Cold air causes liquid water to change state to solid ice.
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Identify the effect on the geosphere when heavy rain falls on a steep hillside.
Identify the effect on the geosphere when heavy rain falls on a steep hillside.
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Increased erosion and possible landslides. Water loosens soil on slopes, causing it to move downhill.
Increased erosion and possible landslides. Water loosens soil on slopes, causing it to move downhill.
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Which Earth system includes all living things such as plants, animals, and microbes?
Which Earth system includes all living things such as plants, animals, and microbes?
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Biosphere. This system contains all life forms on Earth.
Biosphere. This system contains all life forms on Earth.
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Which Earth system includes the air, clouds, and weather conditions?
Which Earth system includes the air, clouds, and weather conditions?
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Atmosphere. The layer of gases surrounding Earth forms this system.
Atmosphere. The layer of gases surrounding Earth forms this system.
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Which system interaction is shown when ocean water evaporates and forms clouds?
Which system interaction is shown when ocean water evaporates and forms clouds?
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Hydrosphere affects the atmosphere. Water vapor rises from oceans to form clouds in the sky.
Hydrosphere affects the atmosphere. Water vapor rises from oceans to form clouds in the sky.
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Which system interaction is shown when rainwater soaks into the ground and becomes groundwater?
Which system interaction is shown when rainwater soaks into the ground and becomes groundwater?
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Atmosphere affects the hydrosphere and geosphere. Rain moves water from air through soil into underground storage.
Atmosphere affects the hydrosphere and geosphere. Rain moves water from air through soil into underground storage.
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Identify the effect on the atmosphere when forests are cut down over a large area.
Identify the effect on the atmosphere when forests are cut down over a large area.
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Less oxygen production and more carbon dioxide in the air. Trees remove CO₂ and produce O₂; cutting them reverses this.
Less oxygen production and more carbon dioxide in the air. Trees remove CO₂ and produce O₂; cutting them reverses this.
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Identify the effect on the hydrosphere when a glacier melts rapidly.
Identify the effect on the hydrosphere when a glacier melts rapidly.
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Sea level rises and more freshwater enters oceans and rivers. Melting ice adds water volume to oceans and dilutes salt content.
Sea level rises and more freshwater enters oceans and rivers. Melting ice adds water volume to oceans and dilutes salt content.
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Which system interaction is shown when plant roots break apart rock to form soil?
Which system interaction is shown when plant roots break apart rock to form soil?
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Biosphere affects the geosphere. Living roots physically break rocks into smaller pieces.
Biosphere affects the geosphere. Living roots physically break rocks into smaller pieces.
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Identify the effect on the biosphere when a long drought reduces available freshwater.
Identify the effect on the biosphere when a long drought reduces available freshwater.
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Plants and animals may die or migrate due to less water. Living things need water to survive and must adapt or leave.
Plants and animals may die or migrate due to less water. Living things need water to survive and must adapt or leave.
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Which system interaction is shown when wind blows sand and shapes dunes?
Which system interaction is shown when wind blows sand and shapes dunes?
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Atmosphere affects the geosphere. Moving air carries sand particles, reshaping land features.
Atmosphere affects the geosphere. Moving air carries sand particles, reshaping land features.
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Which Earth system includes oceans, rivers, lakes, groundwater, and ice?
Which Earth system includes oceans, rivers, lakes, groundwater, and ice?
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Hydrosphere. All water on Earth in any form belongs to this system.
Hydrosphere. All water on Earth in any form belongs to this system.
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Identify the effect on the geosphere when a river flows fast after snowmelt.
Identify the effect on the geosphere when a river flows fast after snowmelt.
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More sediment is carried; riverbanks erode faster. Fast water has more energy to pick up and move soil particles.
More sediment is carried; riverbanks erode faster. Fast water has more energy to pick up and move soil particles.
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Identify the effect on the biosphere when a flood covers land for several days.
Identify the effect on the biosphere when a flood covers land for several days.
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Some organisms die; habitats change and disease risk increases. Excess water drowns organisms and spreads waterborne diseases.
Some organisms die; habitats change and disease risk increases. Excess water drowns organisms and spreads waterborne diseases.
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Identify the effect on the atmosphere when ocean water warms over a large region.
Identify the effect on the atmosphere when ocean water warms over a large region.
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More evaporation; higher humidity and increased storm potential. Warm water evaporates faster, adding moisture and energy to air.
More evaporation; higher humidity and increased storm potential. Warm water evaporates faster, adding moisture and energy to air.
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Which system interaction is shown when animals drink water and use it to survive?
Which system interaction is shown when animals drink water and use it to survive?
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Hydrosphere supports the biosphere. Living things depend on water for basic life processes.
Hydrosphere supports the biosphere. Living things depend on water for basic life processes.
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Which Earth system includes rocks, soil, landforms, and Earth’s interior?
Which Earth system includes rocks, soil, landforms, and Earth’s interior?
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Geosphere. The solid, rocky parts of Earth make up this system.
Geosphere. The solid, rocky parts of Earth make up this system.
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