Physical Geography is the study of planet Earth. In this course, students examine the nature of the Earth's six spheres: the atmosphere (the layer of gases); hydrosphere (the water in oceans, streams, lakes, etc.); cryosphere (the ice in glaciers); geosphere (the solid earth), biosphere (life); and anthrosphere (humans and human activities). By investigating the processes operating within each sphere and how these spheres interact with each other to shape all aspects of our planet, students gain an understanding of how the Earth works and how landscape features have formed.