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Earth Science – Grade 11

Quarter 1 – Module2: Earth’s Subsystem
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education Division of Pasig City

Development Team of the Self-Learning Module

Writer: Merly O.Caberto

Editor: Ronald C. Dumapias
Reviewers: Ronald C. Dumapias
Illustrator: Edison P. Clet
Layout Artist: Mark Kihm G. Lara
Management Team: Ma. Evalou Concepcion A. Agustin
OIC-Schools Division Superintendent
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Module 1
Eart Earth’s
h Science Subsystem

Quarter 1 11
Self-Learning
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
Welcome to the Earth Science Self-Learning Module 2 on Earth’s Subsystem

This Self-Learning Module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators from
the Schools Division Office of Pasig City headed by its Officer-in-Charge Schools Division
Superintendent, Ma. Evalou Concepcion A. Agustin, in partnership with the City Government of
Pasig through its mayor, Honorable Victor Ma. Regis N. Sotto. The writers utilized the standards
set by the K to 12 Curriculum using the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC) in
developing this instructional resource.

This learning material hopes to engage the learners in guided and independent learning activities
at their own pace and time. Further, this also aims to help learners acquire the needed 21st
century skills especially the 5 Cs, namely: Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, Critical
Thinking, and Character while taking into consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module. You also need to
keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to manage their own learning. Moreover,
you are expected to encourage and assist the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

For the Learner:

Welcome to the Earth Science Self-Learning Module 2 on Earth’s Subsystem

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for guided and
independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to process the contents of
the learning material while being an active learner.
This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:
Expectations - This points to the set of knowledge and skills
that you will learn after completing the module.

Pretest - This measures your prior knowledge about the lesson

at hand.

Recap - This part of the module provides a review of concepts

and skills that you already know about a previous lesson.

Lesson - This section discusses the topic in the module.

Activities - This is a set of activities that you need to perform.

Wrap-Up - This section summarizes the concepts and

application of the lesson.

Valuing - This part integrates a desirable moral value in the

lesson.

Posttest – This measures how much you have learned from the
entire module.

EXPECTATIONS
The module is about the Earth’s subsystem

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. explain that the Earth consists of four subsystems, across whose boundaries matter and energy
flow;
2. describe how energy and mass are exchanged among the subsystems; 3. recognize the Earth as
a system composed of subsystems.

PRETEST

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Which of the following is a system in which there is only an exchange of heat or energy and no
exchange of mater? A
a. Closed system
b. Opened system
c. Subsystem
d. Solar System
2. Which Earth’s subsystem refers to the set of all life forms on Earth? B
a. Atmosphere
b. Biosphere
c. Geosphere
d. Hydrosphere
3. Which of the statements is NOT true about Earth's Atmosphere?
a. Traps the sun's energy and wards off many of the dangers of space. b. Most important substances
needed for life and makes up about 90% of living things.
c. Containing the oxygen and carbon dioxide, which living things need to survive
d. Protects and sustains the planet's inhabitants by providing warmth and absorbing harmful solar
rays
4. Which two subsystems are interacting when plants produce oxygen?
a. Atmosphere and Geosphere
b. Biosphere and Atmosphere
c. Biosphere and Hydrosphere
d. Hydrosphere and atmosphere

5. Which of the following statements is NOT true about Earth System science? a. Earth System
science is a set of physical, chemical, and biological systems that are interconnected by flows of
mass and energy.
b. Earth system science is study of how the four spheres of the Earth system that interact
continually, and each spheres affect the others.
c. Earth system science is divided to four sphere the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and
thermosphere.
d. Earth system science (ESS) is the application of systems science to the Earth.

RECAP
In your module 1, you have learned the characteristics of the Earth that are necessary to support
life. Let’s have a simple activity to refresh your mind. Fill in the blanks, how can Earth sustain
life?
1. The Earth is at the ______________distance from the Sun.
2. Not too__________ or __________ from Sun, thus preventing life from freezing or frying.
3. Our sun is stable and long -lasting star that provides ultimate _______________________needed to
support life.
4. We have ________________ of water.
5. Water helps to ________________our body temperature.
6. The moon also exerts a ________________________on the Earth. 7. The atmosphere can blocks out
_____________________from the sun. 8. Without the ozone layer, ultraviolet rays would
________________ most life on Earth.
9. The _______________is the most abundant element in our atmosphere, is crucial to life.
10.________________________range to allow water to exist in liquid as well as gaseous, and solid
forms.
It is nice to know that you can still remember the lesson 1. Let us now explore our next lesson
about Earth subsystem. Read carefully to understand the lesson.
 LESSON
System as a set of interconnected components that are interacting to form a unified whole. What
are the examples of system in science? Correct, the examples are the solar
system, all the body system, the ecosystem, and the earth system. Today, we are
going to focus with the Earth system science. What is Earth system

science? The Earth system science is a study of how the four spheres of the Earth system interact
continually, and how each sphere affects the others. It is also defined as a set of physical,
chemical, and biological systems that are interconnected by flows of mass and energy.
The four major system of Earth are air, water, land and life. The biological components of the
Earth System is called as sphere. The sphere are divided into four, the geosphere, the atmosphere,
the biosphere and the hydrosphere. Remember that all the spheres interconnect and overlap. The
figure below represent how the subsystem of the Earth interact among each other.

Figure 1: The Earth system

SOURCE:https://www.earthonlinemedia.com/ebooks/tpe_3e/glossary/e_g/earth_ system.html
The Earth system is a closed system. Closed system is a system in which there is only an
exchange of heat or energy and no exchange of matter. For example the Earth receives energy from
the sun and returns some energy to space. Before we discuss the four subsystem let’s have a
Breathing Exercise.
I want you to inhale and exhale as many as you can. Do a deep inhalation, hold your breath for a
few seconds and then do a deep exhalation. Do this now! Very good! Doing some Breathing
exercises can help us
become healthier and stronger. When we inhale, oxygen enters the lungs and diffuses into the
blood and when we exhale, carbon dioxide goes out. The oxygen and carbon dioxide are the gases
in the atmosphere.
What is atmosphere?
The atmosphere is the thin gaseous layer that surrounds the lithosphere. It is composed of 78%
Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen and 1% of other gases. It is divided into different layers. Look at the figure 2
the layers of the atmosphere.
Figure 2: The layers of the Atmosphere
SOURCE:https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Atmosphere_layers.jpg The Earth’s
atmosphere layers are troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere. The
troposphere is the lowest layer. We live here, all weather occurs here, and most clouds appear
here. The next layer up is called the stratosphere, the ozone layer is found within. Above the
stratosphere is the mesosphere, the meteors burn up in this layer. The thermosphere starts just
above the mesosphere, the aurora and satellites occur in this layer. Although some experts
consider the thermosphere to be the uppermost layer of our atmosphere but some called this as
the upper limit of our atmosphere.
What is Hydrosphere?
The word hydrosphere is from the Greek root word Hydro which means water and sphaira means
globe or ball. The Hydrosphere is water surrounding the surface of the globe. The hydrosphere
includes water that is on the surface of the planet, underground, and in the air. Look at figure 3,
how is water distributed through the earth?

Figure 3: How is water distributed through the earth

SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_resources
About 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered with liquid water. This water is divided into Salt water

which is 96.5 % and the fresh water is only 2.5%.

The hydrosphere is sub-divided into the fluid water systems and the cryosphere (the ice systems)
What is Biosphere?
Do we belong to Biosphere? Yes, we are. All animals, plants, bacteria, fungi, protists, all micro-
organisms and human on land, in any water resources and in the air pertain to biosphere. It
covers all ecosystem. The life zone is divided into two components the living components and non-
living components.
What are examples of living components? Yes, the living components are man, animals, plants
and micro-organism. How about the non-living components? Correct! These are rocks, water, soil,
light, temperature and air. The living components and non-living components work together.
What is Geosphere?
Geosphere refers to all solid parts of the Earth. The land that we use for planting any vegetation,
rocks and minerals ,those we used for building our bridges, schools or any infrastructure and all
the land forms are consider as parts of the Geosphere. Look at figure 4.
Figure 4: The Earth layers
SOURCE: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Earth_layers_NASA.png The Earth's
Geosphere is divided into different layers. The Earth layers are crust, mantle, outer core and inner
core. Each layer is important for the formation of the continents
Now, let us see the interactions of four subsystem. The subsystems of the Earth, the atmosphere,
the hydrosphere, the biosphere and the geosphere interact with each other. Look at figure 5. Can
you identify the different processes and phase of water involved in the water cycle? Use the
following terms to complete the cycle condensation, precipitation, evaporation, transpiration,
infiltration, surface run-off.

Figure 5: The

Water Cycle
SOURCE: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Water_Cycle_-_blank.svg
Congratulations! You are done identifying the different processes and phase of water involved in
the water cycle. Through evaporation, transpiration, excretion and sublimation water enters the
atmosphere. When water returns to Earth through precipitation, it can either enter the
hydrosphere or the geosphere. Then the water can be use by the living things to survive on Earth
Another example is the carbon cycle. Look at figure 6. How the subsystem interact?
Figure 6: The Carbon Cycle
SOURCE:https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/ecology/biogeochemical cycles/a/the-
carbon-cycle
The carbon cycle is defined as the biogeochemical cycle in which carbon is exchanged between
Earth’s terrestrial biosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and atmosphere. Let us find out how the
carbon cycle interact with the four subsystem • Carbon moves from the atmosphere to plants
• Carbon moves from plants to animals. Through food chains

• Carbon moves from plants and animals to soils. When plants and animals die, their bodies, wood
and leaves decays bringing the carbon into the ground.
• Carbon moves from living things to the atmosphere. Each time you exhale, you are releasing
carbon dioxide gas (CO2) into the atmosphere. • Carbon moves from fossil fuels to the atmosphere
when fuels are burned • Carbon moves from the atmosphere to the oceans. The oceans, and other
bodies of water, absorb some carbon from the atmosphere. The carbon is dissolved into the water.

On Earth there are many examples on how the four subsystem interact to one another. The
knowledge the Earth consists of four subsystems, across whose boundaries matter and energy flow
is important to all of us that is the reason why we should recognize the Earth as a system
composed of subsystems.

ACTIVITIES
Now, do this activity to improve more your understanding of the lesson today. You are going to do
the Activity I-A Exchange of energy and mass among subsystems. Cut one picture of any of Pasig
City sceneries where there is Exchange of energy and mass among subsystems. Paste it in one
coupon bond. Take note of the presence of living and nonliving components on the scene. Think
about how energy and mass are transferred in the different components of the area. Write what
you think in the same piece of paper.

Activity I-B You may now identify the two spheres that are interacting in each number.
1. When a volcanic eruption spews gases and ash into the air. Geosphere and atmosphere
2. When carbon dioxide dissolves from the air into the ocean Atmosphere and hydrosphere
3. When nitrogen is returned to the soil when dead plants atmosphere and geosphere
4. When there is an El Niño phenomenon. atmosphere
5. When the man exhales carbon dioxides

6. When the water absorbs by the plants

7. When the water evaporating in the air
8. When human harnessing energy from the water
9. When vegetation takes up carbon dioxide
10. When the flooding rivers wash away the soil
Activity 1-C
Write five word/s pop into your mind when you see the following words below.
1.Atmosphere. Stratosphere, troposphere. oxygen, carbon dioxide, ozone layer
2.Biosphere -tree,sunflower,alligator,fish,bacteria
3.Hydrosphere -lake, river, ocean, ground water, sea
4.Geosphere-Mountain, crust, inner core, soil, minerals

WRAP-UP

To summarize what you have learned, answer the wrap up activity. Match
each of the words below with the right sphere of the Earth. Choose from the words
in the box below.

Tree Stratosphere Lake Troposphere Alligator River oxygen Ocean

Mountain Crust

Sunflower Inner core Carbon dioxide Soil Ground water Ozone layer
Minerals Fishes Bacteria Sea

1. Atmosphere
Stratosphere, troposphere. oxygen, carbon dioxide, ozone layer
2. Hydrosphere
lake, river, ocean, ground water, sea
3. Biosphere tree,sunflower,alligator,fish,bacteria

4. Geosphere
Mountain, crust, inner core, soil, minerals

5. Describe a five situations where two or more spheres are interacting. Which
spheres are they?

VALUING
.
Have a short realization while you are staying at home. Why we need to
interact with other spheres to survive on Earth? Take a picture with your
family and paste it on one whole sheet of paper. Describe how each
member of family can interacts with other sphere.

POSTTEST
Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What makes Earth special compared to other planets? A

a. It has liquid water
b. It has the densest atmosphere
c. It is the closest planet to the Sun
d. It is covered with bare rock and dust
2. Which Earth’s subsystem refers to a water that is on the surface of the planet, underground,
and in the air? D
a. Atmosphere
b. Biosphere
c. Geosphere
d. Hydrosphere
3. Which of the following is an example of biosphere connecting to atmosphere A
a. Plants produce oxygen
b. Man drinks water
c. Animal eats plant
d. Worm lives in soil
4. Which of the following statements is NOT true about Earth System science? C
a. Earth System science is a set of physical, chemical, and biological systems that are
interconnected by flows of mass and energy.
b. Earth system science is study of how the four spheres of the Earth system that interact
continually, and each spheres affect the others.
c. Earth system science is divided to four sphere the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and
thermosphere.
d. Earth system science (ESS) is the application of systems science to the Earth.
5. Minerals and rocks are the main components of this system C
a. Atmosphere
b. Biosphere
c. Geosphere
d. Hydrosphere

KEY TO
CORRECTION
 c 5. c 4. a 3. d 2. a 1.
POSTTEST

your class group chat.

You may consult your
Science teacher through
Student answers will
vary.
VALUING
your class group chat.
teacher through You may
consult your Science
Student answers will
vary. 5.
: mountain, crust, inner
core, soil, minerals 4.
Geosphere
: tree, sunflower,
alligator, fish, bacteria 3.
Biosphere
: lake, river, ocean,
ground water, sea 2. Hydrosphere
layer
Carbon dioxide, ozone : Stratosphere, troposphere, oxygen, 1. Atmosphere
UP - WRAP
 students.
o mind of the five word/s that pop int Answer may vary
depending
on the C-
Activity 1

10. Hydrosphere and Geosphere 9. Biosphere and Atmosphere

8. Biosphere and Hydrosphere 7. Hydrosphere and Atmosphere

6. Hydrosphere and Biosphere 5. Biosphere and Atmosphere

4. Hydrosphere and Atmosphere 3. Atmosphere and Biosphere

2. Atmosphere and Hydrosphere 1. Geosphere and Atmosphere

B- Activity 1
chat.
Science teacher through your class group students. You may consult your
Answer may vary depending on the illustration and interpretation of the

A, - For Activity I
pull
Temperature UV rays 5.. regulates 4. abundance
7.Harmful far 3. Sources of
10. 9. Nitrogen 8.destroy energy Gravitational 6. 2. close 1. Right RECAP
5.c 4.b 3.b 2.b 1. a PRETEST
References
external), Tim White(link is. n.d. https://www.e
education.psu.edu/earth530/content/l3_p4.html.
"National Aeronautics and Space Administration." August 7, 2017.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/science/atmosphere
layers2.html.
National Geographic. n.d.
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/hydrosphere/.
Science Learning Hub – Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao . June 2, 2009.
https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/721-the-water-cycle.
Tarbuck, Edward J., and Frederick K Lutgens. Thirteeth Edition Earth Science. United States of
America: Pearson Education, Inc., n.d.
Teaching Guide For Senior High School Earth Science. 2016.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. 2015.
https://scied.ucar.edu/atmosphere-layers.