LAC 28:XI.9774. Earth’s Systems

A. Use a model of Earth to identify that the motion of the mantle and its plates occurs primarily through thermal convection, which is primarily driven by radioactive decay within Earth’s interior. B. Identify relationships, using a model, of how the Earth's surface is a complex and dynamic set of interconnected systems (i.e., geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere). C. Use a model of Earth to identify that the motion of the mantle and its plates occurs primarily through thermal convection, which is primarily driven by radioactive decay within Earth’s interior. D. Identify different causes of climate change and results of those changes with respect to the Earth’s surface temperatures, precipitation patterns or sea levels over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales using a model. E. Identify a connection between the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials. F. Investigate the effects of water on Earth materials and/or surface processes. G. Use a model of photosynthesis to identify that carbon is exchanged between living and nonliving systems. H. Use a model of cellular respiration to identify that carbon is exchanged between living and nonliving systems. I. Develop and/or use a quantitative model to identify relative amount of and/or the rate at which carbon is transferred among hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere. J. Identify examples of coevolution of Earth's systems and the evolution of life on Earth. K. Identify evidence (e.g., causal links and/or feedback mechanisms between changes in the biosphere and changes in Earth’s other systems) in an argument that there is simultaneous coevolution of Earth's systems and life on Earth.