A scientist is studying how a volcanic eruption affects nearby rivers and forests. Which spheres are interacting in this scenario, and how do they influence each other?

• Only the geosphere and hydrosphere, because volcanoes and rivers are involved, but not forests.

• The geosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, because the eruption (geosphere) affects rivers (hydrosphere) and forests (biosphere).

• Only the atmosphere and biosphere, because eruptions release gases and affect living things.

• Only the hydrosphere and atmosphere, because water and air are involved.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Imagine a drought reduces the amount of water in a lake. Predict how this change in the hydrosphere could impact the biosphere and geosphere in the area.

• Plants and animals (biosphere) may struggle to survive, and the soil (geosphere) could become dry and cracked.

• Only the biosphere is affected, because only living things need water.

• The geosphere will become wetter, and the biosphere will not be affected.

• The atmosphere will become thicker, and the geosphere will turn into water.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Suppose a large forest fire occurs. Explain how this event could lead to changes in at least two other Earth systems besides the biosphere.

• The fire will only affect the biosphere, because only living things burn.

• The fire could release gases into the atmosphere and change the soil structure in the geosphere.

• The fire will only affect the hydrosphere by boiling water.

• The fire will only affect the geosphere by making rocks melt.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

A heavy rainstorm causes a landslide on a mountain. Use reasoning to describe which spheres are involved and how they interact.

• Only the hydrosphere and geosphere, because rain and rocks are involved.

• The hydrosphere (rain) causes movement in the geosphere (landslide), which can destroy plants and animal habitats (biosphere).

• Only the atmosphere and geosphere, because air and rocks are involved.

• Only the biosphere and hydrosphere, because plants and water are involved.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

During a hurricane, strong winds and heavy rain hit a coastal area. Explain how this event demonstrates interactions among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

• Only the atmosphere is involved, because hurricanes are storms.

• The atmosphere (wind), hydrosphere (rain and ocean), and geosphere (land) all interact, causing flooding, erosion, and changes to the land.

• Only the hydrosphere and geosphere are involved, because water and land are affected.

• Only the biosphere is involved, because living things are harmed.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

A mining company removes large amounts of rock from underground. Evaluate how this action could affect the geosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.

• Only the geosphere is affected, because only rocks are removed.

• Removing rock (geosphere) can change groundwater flow (hydrosphere) and destroy habitats for animals and plants (biosphere).

• Only the hydrosphere is affected, because water fills the holes.

• Only the biosphere is affected, because animals lose their homes.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4