Earth Science - M01 - L03 - WEEK 2

JC Excellente Christian Academy Inc.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL. CHRISTIAN VALUES

Blk. 40 Lot 73 Road 1 Minuyan II, CSJDM Bulacan
Earth Science
Module 1
Lesson 3
TOPIC: Earth Systems
Introduction:
Let’s review the previous lessons about the Solar System (origin, components, terrestrial vs. gas planets).
Can you recognize the difference in physical and chemical properties between the Earth and its neighboring
planets?
The humanity’s failure to protect the environment and life here on Earth is likely due to the following:
inability to recognize the full consequence of his/her actions and; lack of appreciation of how truly unique
the Earth is.
INSTRUCTION/PRACTICE:
Activity 1: Compare and Contrast the Planets
1. Print and cut-out photographs of three terrestrial planets, namely Venus, Earth, and Mars. Place the
photographs side by side
2. Group yourselves into three to five members. Write down on a piece of paper the similarities and
differences among the planets from Table 1. You will only have 15 minutes to complete the task.
3. Provide possible explanations for your observations using the information in Table 2 and their prior
knowledge on the planets.
4. After the task, ask a representative from each group to present their observations.
Activity 2: Interstellar Crash Landing

1. What factors would a planet habitable? Elaborate your answers.
2. Study Table 2 and read the document carefully and compare your answers you have given at the start of
the activity.
Table 2: Factors that make a planet habitable (National Science Foundation, n.d.,)
Factors that make Not Enough of the Just Right Too Much of the Factor Situation in the Solar
a Planet Factor System
Habitable
Low temperatures cause Life seems to be limited At about 125oC, protein Surface: only the Earth’s
Temperature chemicals to react slowly, to a temperature range of and carbohydrate surface is in this
influences how which interferes with the -15oC to 115oC. In this molecules, and the genetic temperature range. Sub-
quickly atoms and reactions necessary for range, liquid water can material (e.g., DNA and surface: the interior of the
molecules move. life. It can also cause the still exist under certain RNA) start to break apart. solid planets and moons
freezing of water, making conditions. Also, high temperatures may be in this
liquid water unavailable. cause the quick temperature range.
evaporation of water.
Small planets and moons Earth & Venus are the Venus’s atmosphere is Of the solid planets &
have insufficient gravity right size to hold a 100 times thicker than moons, only Earth and
to hold an atmosphere. sufficient-sized Earth’s. It is made almost Venus, & Titan have
The gas molecules escape atmosphere. Earth’s entirely of greenhouse significant atmospheres.
Atmosphere to space, leaving the atmosphere is about 100 gasses, making the Mars’ atmosphere is
planet or moon without an miles thick. It keeps the surface too hot for life. about 1/100th that of
insulating blanket or a surface warm & protects The four giant planets are Earth’s, too small for
protective shield. it from radiation & completely made of gas. significant insulation or
small- to medium-sized shielding.
meteorites.
When there is too little With a steady input of Light energy is a problem Surface: The inner planets
sunlight or too few of the either light or chemical if it makes a planet too get too much sunlight for
Energy chemicals that provide energy, cells can run the hot or if there are too life. The outer planets get
energy to cells, such as chemical reactions many harmful rays, such too little. Sub-surface:
iron or sulfur, organisms necessary for life. as ultraviolet. Too many Most solid planets &
die. energy rich chemicals is moons have energy-rich
not a problem chemicals.
Without chemicals to All solid planets & Too many nutrients are Surface: Earth has a water
make proteins & moons have the same not a problem. However, cycle, an atmosphere, and
carbohydrates, organisms general chemical too active a circulation volcanoes to circulate
cannot grow. Planets makeup, so nutrients are system, such as the nutrients. Venus, Titan,
Nutrients Used to without systems to deliver present. Those with a constant volcanism on Io, and Mars have
build and nutrients to its organisms water cycle or volcanic Jupiter’s moon, Io, or the nutrients and ways to
maintain an (e.g., a water cycle or activity can transport and churning atmospheres of circulate them to
organism’s body. volcanic activity) cannot replenish the chemicals the gas planets, interferes organisms. Sub-surface:
support life. Also, when required by living with an organism’s ability Any planet or moon with
nutrients are spread so organisms. to get enough nutrients. sub-surface water or
thin that they are hard to molten rock can circulate
obtain, such as on a gas and replenish nutrients for
planet, life cannot exist. organisms
3. Imagine yourself in an interstellar voyage. Your spaceship suffers mechanical problems and will be
forced to land. Fortunately you are passing through the Yanib System, which is composed of a sun-like
star surrounded by seven planets, some of which have moons. The profiles of planets and moons of the
Yanib System are listed on Table 3. You are to decide the best place to land their ship.
4. Write down on a piece of paper your choice of planet or moon. Reasons for your choice should also be
written down. Reasons why you did not choose the other planets should also be included.
Table 3: Profiles of Planets and Moons of Yanib System

Planet 1 (closest to the star) Planet 4
Mass: 1.5 (Earth = 1) Mass: 1.5
Tectonics: Active volcanoes and seismic activity Tectonics: Active volcanoes and seismic activity
detected Atmosphere: CO2, N, and H20 detected
Ave. Temperature: 651oC Atmosphere: N, O2, and ozone layer
Description: Thick clouds surround the planet. No Average Temperature: 2oC
surface is visible through the clouds. Description: Cold oceans, covered with ice along
much of the globe, some open water around equator
Planet 2 Planet 5
Mass: 0.5 Gas Giant with one large moon.
Tectonics: No activity detected Moon: Sulfur dioxide (SO2) atmosphere. Many
Atmosphere: Thin CO2 atmosphere detected volcanoes and hot springs on surface.
Average Temperature: 10oC Temperatures in hot spots can be up to 600oC. Other
Description: Polar ice caps, dry riverbeds spots away from volcanic heat can get as low in
temperature as 145oC.
Planet 3 Planet 6
Mass: 1 Gas giant with four large, rocky satellites (moons).
Tectonics: Active volcanoes and seismic activity Moons have no appreciable atmosphere. Ice detectable
detected. on one.
Atmosphere: CO2, H2O
Temperature: 30OC
Description: Liquid water oceans cover much of the
surface.
Volcanic island chains make up most of the dry land.
Planet 7 (furthest from the star)
Gas giant with two large moons.
Moon 1: Thick methane atmosphere with pressure
high enough to keep a potential methane ocean liquid
underneath.
Temperature: -200oC
Moon 2: Covered in water ice. Ice appears cracked and
re-frozen in parts, indicating a potential liquid ocean
underneath.
Surface temperature -100oC.
ENRICHMENT: Terraforming Mars

Write a 200 word report/essay on the following topic: ‘Can man alter Mars environment to make it more
suitable for human habitation? How?’
References:
 Montana State University. (n.d.). Interstellar Real Estate - Defining the Habitable Zone. Retrieved from
https://btc.montana.edu/ceres/html/ Habitat/habitablezone.htm
 National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2015). Planetary Fact Sheet. Retrieved from
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/
 Science Foundation. (n.d.). Crash Landing! Student Activity Sheet. Retrieved from
http://www.voyagesthroughtime.org/planetary/ sample/lesson5/pdf/5_3_1sas_crashland.pdf
 National Science Foundation. (n.d.). Goldilocks and the Three Planets. Retrieved from
http://www.voyagesthroughtime.org/planetary/sample/ lesson5/pdf/goldilocks.pdf
 National Science Foundation. (n.d.). Lesson 5: Activity 3: Habitable Worlds. Retrieved from
http://www.voyagesthroughtime.org/planetary/ sample/lesson5/z_act3.htm
 https://btc.montana.edu/ceres/html/Habitat/habitablezone.htm
 http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/

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JC Excellente Christian Academy Inc.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL. CHRISTIAN VALUES

TOPIC: Earth Systems

Activity 2: Interstellar Crash Landing

Table 3: Profiles of Planets and Moons of Yanib System

ENRICHMENT: Terraforming Mars

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