# data[].attributes.body
Watch the video to learn about it

# data[].attributes.body
Find out here!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The biosphere is all about life. Physical geographers use the term biosphere to describe our living world. All of the microbes, plants, and animals can be found somewhere in the biosphere. The biosphere extends to the upper areas of the atmosphere where birds and insects can be found. It also reaches to dark caves deep in the ground or to the bottom of the ocean at hydrothermal vents. The biosphere extends to any place that life of any kind might exist.

The biosphere is the crossroads of all the other earth science spheres you will study in class. Think about the possible interactions for a second.

- The land of the lithosphere interacts with the oceans of the hydrosphere at the coastlines. The coasts are teeming with life such as fish, birds, invertebrates, and mammals.

- The land also interacts with the air of the atmosphere and different climates. Rising mountains cool the air and force clouds to drop their water, leading to rain for forests of trees and rivers filled with fish.

- There is even interaction between the forces deep in the Earth and energy coming to the Earth from space. Volcanic vents under the seas are surrounded by life.

All of these interactions create the variety in our living world.

Many factors affect the biosphere and our life here on Earth. There are large factors such as the distance between the Earth and the Sun. If our planet were closer to the Sun, it might be too hot to support life. If we were further away, it might be too cold. The tilt of the Earth is just as important. Seasons and seasonal climate changes are direct results of the tilt of the Earth towards or away from the Sun. Summer months allow half of the planet to warm while the other half cools. Six months later, the temperatures shift in the opposite direction.

Smaller factors also act on the biosphere. If you were to watch a piece of land that was only one square mile (or kilometer), you would see the influence of climate, daily weather, and erosion. These smaller factors change the living space and organisms must react accordingly. For example, how would a family of gophers react if their burrow gets washed away in a mudslide? Even though humans are able to control much of their immediate environment, they are still vulnerable to weather and earthquakes.

The smallest of factors in the biosphere work on a molecular level. Chemical erosion is a great example of a landscape changing one molecule at a time. Oxidation and reduction reactions change the composition of rocks and organic materials. There is also biological erosion. Tiny organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, are constantly working to break down organic and inorganic materials.

Or search the sites for a specific topic.

Water, Water Everywhere (NASA/GSFC Video)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The biosphere is all about life. Physical geographers use the term biosphere to describe our living world. All of the microbes, plants, and animals can be found somewhere in the biosphere. The biosphere extends to the upper areas of the atmosphere where birds and insects can be found.

# data[].attributes.body
Learn about it here, and take notes!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Earth's atmosphere is divided up into 5 major layers:

Exosphere - The last layer and the thinnest. It goes all the way to 10,000 km above the Earth's surface.

Thermosphere - The thermosphere is next and the air is very thin here. Temperatures can get extremely hot in the thermosphere.

Mesosphere - The mesosphere covers the next 50 miles beyond the stratosphere. This is where most meteors burn up upon entry. The coldest place on Earth is at the top of the mesosphere.

Stratosphere - The stratosphere extends for the next 32 miles after the troposphere. Unlike the troposphere the stratosphere gets its heat by the Ozone Layer absorbing radiation from the sun. As a result, it gets warmer the further away you get from the Earth. Weather balloons go as high as the stratosphere.

Troposphere - The troposphere is the layer next to the ground or surface of the Earth. It covers around 30,000-50,000 feet high. This is where we live and even where planes fly. Around 80% of the mass of the atmosphere is in the troposphere. The troposphere is heated by the surface of the Earth.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Earth's atmosphere is divided up into 5 major layers: Exosphere - The last layer and the thinnest. It goes all the way to 10,000 km above the Earth's surface. Thermosphere - The thermosphere is next and the air is very thin here. Temperatures can get extremely hot in the thermosphere.

# data[].attributes.body
Read about it!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Water is everywhere on Earth. About seventy percent of the surface of the Earth is covered by water. If you were an alien visiting the planet, you would see a giant blue sphere from space (especially on the Pacific Ocean side). Not only is water everywhere, but all life depends on water. The tiniest bacteria and the largest dinosaurs have all needed water. The hydrosphere is the world of water that surrounds all of us.

Because water is so important, it makes up an entire section of the earth sciences. You will probably hear the term " hydro" many times. The prefix "hydro" has origins in ancient Greek. You will learn about hydrologists that study water and the way it is used and circulated across the planet. Hydrology is the study of water. That water may be at the bottom of the ocean or in clouds found in the atmosphere. Anything related to water is a part of the hydrosphere.

Water is in the air, on the land, between the rocks, and in every living thing. Water, in its purest form, is the compound . There are two hydrogen (H) atoms bonded to one oxygen (O) atom. Generally, you won't find pure water. There are usually other compounds, ions, or particles mixed with water. While water may move and carry other substances with it, you need to remember that the small water molecules are the things that make life on Earth possible.

Liquid water makes the Earth a special place. Our planet has a very nice temperature range that allows water to remain in a liquid state. If we were a colder place like Pluto, all of the water would be permanently frozen and solid. On the other hand, if we were on a very hot planet, all of the water would be in a gas state. Water vapor and solid water are relatively useless to the organisms of Earth.

Things get interesting when you start to have a system with solid, liquid, and gas states of water. Because all of the states exist on Earth, they are all important to scientists. There are solids in the deep glaciers, liquids of the oceans, and the vapor state of clouds. While there might not be a lot of life in or on those glaciers, they will eventually melt. Once they melt, they start to affect all of the life on Earth. All of the physical states are equally important because they are all connected.

Let's say you're a water molecule. For this example we'll assume you are staying a water molecule and not combining with other compounds. We're going to have you move through the hydrologic cycle. You'll start by sitting on the surface of the Pacific Ocean. All of a sudden you are filled with energy, evaporate, and move up into the atmosphere.

Winds are moving and you see yourself flying over the ocean towards land. Things start to get cold and all water vapor around you begins to condense. You all clump together and now you're too heavy to stay in the clouds. You fall to the surface in a raindrop. If you are one of the first drops to fall, you might be absorbed into the soil. If you are at the end of a storm, you might wind up in runoff and drain into a river. From that river you could flow all the way back to the ocean and start your journey over again.

How much time does your journey take? Scientists think that if you are lucky enough to evaporate into a cloud, you spend about ten days floating around the atmosphere. If you're unlucky enough to be at the bottom of the ocean, percolate into an aquifer, or get stuck in a glacier, you might spend tens of thousands of years without returning to the hydrologic cycle. As of 2013, the oldest ice ever found was about 800,000 years old. That's a long time to stay out of the water cycle.

Or search the sites for a specific topic.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Water is everywhere on Earth. About seventy percent of the surface of the Earth is covered by water. If you were an alien visiting the planet, you would see a giant blue sphere from space (especially on the Pacific Ocean side). Not only is water everywhere, but all life depends on water.

# data[].attributes.body
Watch the video to learn about it

# data[].attributes.body
Water cycle

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Water Cycle - Animation | Precipitation Education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This animation shows the entire process of the water cycle throughout the course of a day.This website, presented by NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission, provides students and educators with resources to learn about Earth's water cycle, weather and climate, and the technology and societal applications of studying them.

# data[].attributes.body
Watch the video to learn about it

# data[].attributes.body
Watch the video to learn about it

# data[].attributes.body
Discover landforms here!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Landforms, Hey!: Crash Course Kids #17.1

# data[].attributes.body
Dig deeper

# data[].attributes.body
4 Spheres

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Welcome to Britannica School , a safe, up-to-date and age-appropriate information resource for Elementary, Middle and High School.

# data[].attributes.body
Watch the video and read

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Welcome to Britannica School , a safe, up-to-date and age-appropriate information resource for Elementary, Middle and High School.

# data[].attributes.body
Putting it altgether

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Apollo 17 astronauts captured this snapshot of the Earth system on their way to the moon in 1972. Essentially everything that was a part of the system then is still a part of the system today-that's why it's considered a closed system.

# data[].attributes.body
Keep Learning!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What is the sky? What is air? What is the atmosphere? The atmosphere is a thin layer of gases that surrounds the Earth. It seals the planet and protects us from the vacuum of space. It protects us from electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun and small objects flying through space such as meteoroids. Of course, it also holds the oxygen (O ₂) we all breathe to survive.

In the same way that there are layers inside of the Earth, there are also layers in the atmosphere. All of the layers interact with each other as the gases circulate around the planet. The lowest layers interact with the surface of the Earth while the highest layers interact with space. On your level, you may feel the atmosphere as a cool breeze. Other times you will feel it as a hot or humid day that seems to push on you from all sides.

When compared to the diameter of the Earth, the atmosphere is very thin. The thickness of the atmosphere is a balance between the gravity of the Earth and energetic molecules that want to rise and move towards space. The molecules in the upper layers of the atmosphere become excited as energy from the Sun hits the Earth. The molecules in the lower layers are cooler and under greater pressure.

If the Earth were larger, the atmosphere would be denser. The increased mass and related gravity of a larger planet would pull those gas molecules closer to the surface and pressure would increase.

The atmosphere is more than just layers of gases surrounding the planet. It is also a moving source of life for every creature of the planet. While the majority of the atmosphere is composed of nitrogen (N ₂) molecules, there are also oxygen and carbon dioxide (CO ₂) which plants and animals need to survive. You will also find ozone (O ₃) higher in the atmosphere which helps filter harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. The atmosphere also protects us from the vacuum and cold of space. Without our atmosphere, the Earth would be as barren and dead as the Moon or Mercury.

There is no single climate of the planet. Specialized climates are found in areas all over the planet and might include deserts, rainforests, or polar regions. The common trait of all of these climates is the atmosphere. The atmosphere circulates gases and particles between all of these regions.

The hot air from the equator eventually moves north or south to other climate regions. That warmer air combines with cooler air, mixing begins, and storms form. The constant mixing of the atmosphere maintains a stable system that helps organisms survive. Oxygen will never run out in one area of the planet and temperatures will not skyrocket in another. The atmosphere balances the possible extremes of the Earth and creates an overall stability.

A great example is seen in the way tropical cyclones (hurricanes) form over the Atlantic Ocean. Because of global atmospheric circulation, systems start over the Sahara Desert in Africa, move across the west coast of northern Africa, pick up large amounts of water as they pass over the warm Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, and finally dump all of the rain on the Caribbean or south eastern coast of the United States. In addition to the stormy weather, the atmosphere can also carry dust and particles from the Sahara to North America.

Or search the sites for a specific topic.

Earth's Atmosphere (NASA Explorer Schools Video)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Geography4Kids.com! This tutorial introduces atmosphere basics. Other sections include climates, the biosphere, hydrosphere, the Earth, and ecosystems.

# data[].attributes.body
Keep Reading

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Blanketing the Earth is a thick layer of air that protects us from radiation from the Sun, falling meteors and toxic gases. This blanket, known as the atmosphere, has three layers. Without it, our Earth would be like any other planet - extremely hot or cold, pockmarked and lifeless. Three cheers for the atmosphere!

Fun Facts About the Atmosphere for Kids

There are five layers within the atmosphere. The troposphere, the stratosphere, mesosphere, ionosphere and exosphere are the layers of the atmosphere.

The troposphere lies closest to the Earth and is about 11 miles thick. This layer contains most of the air and oxygen in the atmosphere. Our weather is formed in the troposphere. Water evaporates from land to become rain or snow. Winds bring warm or cool weather.

The stratosphere lies above the troposphere and goes up about 30 miles high. The ozone layer is in the stratosphere. The ozone protects us from harmful rays from the Sun.

The mesosphere is the next layer, reaching 50 miles from the Earth. This layer of the atmosphere is very cold - about -180 degrees Fahrenheit. Brrrr! Here is where most meteors burn up. Without this layer, our Earth would be pocked like the Moon and other planets.

The ionosphere extends 430 miles above the Earth and is considered outer space. It is very thin and very cold. An electrical layer created by ions is found here which is used to transmit radio waves. This electrical layer also causes the Northern Lights.

High above the Earth is the exosphere, the final layer of our atmosphere. This layer extends into space. Solar winds compress it and push it down. When the winds are still, this layer can extend more than 6,000 miles into space.

The Atmosphere Vocabulary

All About the Atmosphere Video for Kids

Check out this cool video about the Earth's Atmosphere for kids:

The Atmosphere Q&A

Question: Can the atmosphere be damaged?

Answer: Chemicals and pollution can damage the atmosphere.

Enjoyed the Easy Earth Science for Kids all about the Atmosphere info? Take the FREE & Fun all about the Atmosphere quiz and download FREE all about the Atmosphere worksheet for kids. For lengthy info click here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Blanketing the Earth is a thick layer of air that protects us from radiation from the Sun, falling meteors and toxic gases. This blanket, known as the atmosphere, has three layers. Without it, our Earth would be like any other planet - extremely hot or cold, pockmarked and lifeless.

# data[].attributes.body
Find out here!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The biosphere is all about life. Physical geographers use the term biosphere to describe our living world. All of the microbes, plants, and animals can be found somewhere in the biosphere. The biosphere extends to the upper areas of the atmosphere where birds and insects can be found. It also reaches to dark caves deep in the ground or to the bottom of the ocean at hydrothermal vents. The biosphere extends to any place that life of any kind might exist.

The biosphere is the crossroads of all the other earth science spheres you will study in class. Think about the possible interactions for a second.

- The land of the lithosphere interacts with the oceans of the hydrosphere at the coastlines. The coasts are teeming with life such as fish, birds, invertebrates, and mammals.

- The land also interacts with the air of the atmosphere and different climates. Rising mountains cool the air and force clouds to drop their water, leading to rain for forests of trees and rivers filled with fish.

- There is even interaction between the forces deep in the Earth and energy coming to the Earth from space. Volcanic vents under the seas are surrounded by life.

All of these interactions create the variety in our living world.

Many factors affect the biosphere and our life here on Earth. There are large factors such as the distance between the Earth and the Sun. If our planet were closer to the Sun, it might be too hot to support life. If we were further away, it might be too cold. The tilt of the Earth is just as important. Seasons and seasonal climate changes are direct results of the tilt of the Earth towards or away from the Sun. Summer months allow half of the planet to warm while the other half cools. Six months later, the temperatures shift in the opposite direction.

Smaller factors also act on the biosphere. If you were to watch a piece of land that was only one square mile (or kilometer), you would see the influence of climate, daily weather, and erosion. These smaller factors change the living space and organisms must react accordingly. For example, how would a family of gophers react if their burrow gets washed away in a mudslide? Even though humans are able to control much of their immediate environment, they are still vulnerable to weather and earthquakes.

The smallest of factors in the biosphere work on a molecular level. Chemical erosion is a great example of a landscape changing one molecule at a time. Oxidation and reduction reactions change the composition of rocks and organic materials. There is also biological erosion. Tiny organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, are constantly working to break down organic and inorganic materials.

Or search the sites for a specific topic.

Water, Water Everywhere (NASA/GSFC Video)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The biosphere is all about life. Physical geographers use the term biosphere to describe our living world. All of the microbes, plants, and animals can be found somewhere in the biosphere. The biosphere extends to the upper areas of the atmosphere where birds and insects can be found.

# data[].attributes.body
Watch the video to learn about it

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Welcome to Britannica School , a safe, up-to-date and age-appropriate information resource for Elementary, Middle and High School.

# data[].attributes.body
How important are they?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Welcome to Britannica School , a safe, up-to-date and age-appropriate information resource for Elementary, Middle and High School.

# data[].attributes.body
Are they just food and pets?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This video introduces a phenomenon called Trophic Cascade and shows how a peak predator like the wolf benefits its home habitat. Spoiler, they can alter the flow of rivers!

# data[].attributes.body
Putting it altgether

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Apollo 17 astronauts captured this snapshot of the Earth system on their way to the moon in 1972. Essentially everything that was a part of the system then is still a part of the system today-that's why it's considered a closed system.

# data[].attributes.body
Putting it altgether

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Apollo 17 astronauts captured this snapshot of the Earth system on their way to the moon in 1972. Essentially everything that was a part of the system then is still a part of the system today-that's why it's considered a closed system.

# data[].attributes.body
Putting it altgether

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Apollo 17 astronauts captured this snapshot of the Earth system on their way to the moon in 1972. Essentially everything that was a part of the system then is still a part of the system today-that's why it's considered a closed system.

# data[].attributes.body
Putting it altgether

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Apollo 17 astronauts captured this snapshot of the Earth system on their way to the moon in 1972. Essentially everything that was a part of the system then is still a part of the system today-that's why it's considered a closed system.

# data[].attributes.body
The 6 major biomes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Terrestrial Biomes of the World song. Here is a video I created for my 6th grade science students﻿ to help them study.I hope you enjoy.

# data[].attributes.body
The 6 major biomes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Terrestrial Biomes of the World song. Here is a video I created for my 6th grade science students﻿ to help them study.I hope you enjoy.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
So I decided to do another song... APLAYS37 LIKE COMMENT SUBSCRIBE BUY THE SONG ON ITUNES- https://www.cornburgers.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A music video prepared by B.Ed. students!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Water Cycle Rap Song: H2O Evaporation Condensation Precipitation Kids Earth Science Lyrics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Awesome song & video to help learn the science behind the water cycle, featuring the ugliest foot in the world & a bunch of important words you won't forget. Suitable for kids in Elementary, Middle, & High School. · Erosion is the removal and transport of surface material, such as rock and soil.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
For hundreds of millions of years, the chemicals and elements found on Earth have remained relatively constant, or in other words, they have changed very little. The amount of one element or chemical in the Earth's surface is practically the same as it was many millions of years ago. This consistency is one of the things that makes life on Earth possible.

This balance is maintained via complex interactions or cycles between the Earth and its organisms, or lifeforms. The elements of the Earth are taken into lifeforms, used to sustain the organism, and later released in the form of waste, or through decomposition upon the death of the organism.

Most of these cycles only take a few months or a few years to complete. However, some can take many millions of years.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Cycles, Balance, and Life - Geography for Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
For hundreds of millions of years, the chemicals and elements found on Earth have remained relatively constant, or in other words, they have changed very little. The amount of one element or chemical in the Earth's surface is practically the same as it was many millions of years ago.