EARTH AND LIFE SCIENCE

Name: ____________________________ Grade Level: _________ Date:

_____________________________ Score: ______________

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

The Unique Planet Earth

Background Information for the Learners (BIL)

PLANET EARTH
The Earth is the third planet from the sun and the only astronomical object known to
harbor life. According to radiometric dating, Earth formed over 4.5 billion years ago.
Why is the earth unique in its ability to support life? The answer lies partly in its
position in the solar system. The earth lies approximately 150 million kilometers from
the sun. This is the right distance for the provision of a life-friendly temperature. This
makes the Earth as the only planet in the solar system where temperatures are just
right for life. Other factors such as the earth’s revolution around the sun, its rotation on
its own axis, as well as its atmospheres and oceans, all have a role in maintaining its
temperature.

The planets in the Solar System are basically grouped into terrestrial and Jovian
planets. The “inner planets”, Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars are called the terrestrial
planets. They are small and rocky planets that usually have large iron cores. The “outer
planets”, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are called the Jovian planets. They are large
planets with no solid surface that’s why they are also known as the “Gas Giants”.
The picture below shows the relative size and appearance of three terrestrial
planets. Note the similarities and differences between the Earth and the other two
terrestrial planets, Venus and Mars.

Figure 1.Venus, Earth and Mars Images from NASA retrieved from
file:///C:/Users/User%20name/Desktop/earth%20and%20life%20science/Earth%20and%20Life%20Sc
ience.pdf

From the image above, it can be noted that:

1. Venus, Earth, and Mars are part of the inner terrestrial or "rocky" planets.
2. Venus is considered to be the Earth's twin planet. It has a very similar size
and mass with the Earth. Mars is about half the Earth's size.
3. All the three planets have spheroidal shape.

Planet earth has also some features such as the its escape velocity or minimum
speed an object needs to escape a planet's pull of gravity, it has also surface pressure
based on the atmospheric pressure at a location on the surface of the planet which is
proportional to the mass of air above the location . The Earth's magnetic field is also
important and it is believed to be the consequence of the presence of a solid metallic
inner core and a liquid metallic outer core.
The table below provides a summary of the difference in physical and chemical
properties between the Earth and its neighboring planets and this will show how
unique planet earth is.
Figure 2. Venus, Earth and Mars Comparison: Table modified from
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/
1. Venus, Earth, and Mars have composition and densities that are not too different
from each other.
2. Majority of the gas in the atmosphere of Venus and Mars is carbon dioxide while
on Earth is nitrogen.
3. Orbital period and velocity are related to the planet's distance from the sun.
Among the three planets, Venus is the nearest and Mars is the farthest from the
Sun.
4. Rotational speed of Earth and Mars are very similar. Rotational speed of Venus
is extremely slow.
5. Abundance of liquid water on Earth, hence the blue color. The Earth is a
habitable planet.
 FACTORS THAT MAKE A PLANET HABITABLE
The planet earth possesses the “just right” factors that make a planet habitable.
summarize:
FACTORS THAT NOT ENOUGH JUST RIGHT TOO MUCH SITUATION
MAKE A PLANET OF THE OF THE IN THE
HABITABLE FACTOR FACTOR SOLAR
SYSTEM
TEMPERATURE Low temperatures Life seems to At about Surface: only
cause chemicals to be limited to a 125oC, protein the Earth’s
Influences how quickly
react slowly, which temperature and carbohydratesurface is in
atoms and molecules
interferes with the range of 15oC molecules, and this
move
reactions to 115oC. In the genetic temperature
necessary for this range, material (e.g., range.
life. It can also cause liquid water DNA and RNA) Subsurface:
the freezing of water, can still exist start to break the interior of
making liquid water under certain apart. Also, the solid
unavailable. conditions. high planets and
temperatures moons may
cause the quick be in this
evaporation of temperature
water. range.

ATMOSPHERE Small planets and Earth & Venus’s Of the solid

moons Venus are the atmosphere is planets &
Traps heat, shields
have insufficient right size to 100 times thicker moons, only
the surface from
gravity to hold an hold a than Earth, Venus,
harmful radiation, and
atmosphere. The sufficientsized Earth’s. It is & Titan have
provides chemicals made almostsignificant
gas molecules atmosphere.
needed for life, such
escape to space, Earth’s entirely of atmospheres.
as nitrogen and
leaving the planet or atmosphere is greenhouse Mars’
carbon dioxide.
moon without an about 100 gasses, making atmosphere is
insulating blanket or miles thick. It the surface too about 1/100th
a protective shield. keeps the hot for life. The that of Earth’s,
surface warm four giant too small for
& protects it planets are significant
from radiation & completely insulation or
small- to made of gas. shielding.
medium-sized
meteorites.
ENERGY When there is With a steadyLight energy is a Surface: The
too little sunlight or input of either problem if it inner planets
Organisms use light or
too few of the light or makes a planet get too much
chemical
chemicals that chemical too hot or if sunlight for
energy to run provide energy to energy, cells there are too life. The outer
their life processes. cells, such as iron or can run the many harmful planets get
sulfur, organisms chemical rays, such as too little.
die. reactions ultraviolet. Too Subsurface:
necessary for many energyrich Most solid
life. chemicals planets &
is not a problem moons have
energy-rich
chemicals.
NUTRIENTS Without chemicals to All solid Too many Surface: Earth
make proteins planets & nutrients are has a water
Nutrients Used to
& carbohydrates, moons have not a problem. cycle, an
build and maintain an
organisms cannot the same However, too atmosphere,
organism’s body.
grow. Planets general active a and volcanoes
without systems to chemical circulation to circulate
deliver nutrients to makeup, so system, such nutrients.
its organisms (e.g., nutrients are as the constant Venus, Titan,
a water cycle or present. Those volcanism on Io, and Mars
volcanic activity) with a water Jupiter’s moon, have nutrients
cannot support life. cycle or Io, or the and ways to
Also, when nutrients volcanic churning circulate them
are spread so thin activity can atmospheres of to organisms.
that they are hard to transport and the gas Sub-surface:
obtain, such as on a replenish the planets, Any planet or
gas planet, life chemicals interferes with moon with
cannot exist. required by an organism’s sub-surface
living ability to get water or
organisms. enough nutrients. molten rock
can circulate
and replenish
nutrients for
organisms.

http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore/our place/hab_ref_table.pdf

Learning Competency:

Recognize the uniqueness of Earth, being the only planet in the solar system with
properties necessary to support life (S11/12ES-Ia-e-3)
Activity 1: Just Give Me The Reason
Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write the letter of your choice
before each item / encircle the letter of your choice.
1. Which of the following is TRUE about the planet Earth?
a. The abundance of water on earth makes it habitable.
b. The low density of Earth makes it rotate slower than the other planets in
the solar system.
c. Planet earth is known for its extreme temperature favorable for plant
growth.
d. Planet earth rotates from east to west.
2. What makes planet earth unique?
a. It is the only planet that supports the existence of life.
b. It has a large diameter compared other planets.
c. Its atmosphere contains the highest amount of oxygen that is lacking to
other planets.
d. It has the lowest temperature among all the other planets.
For question nos. 3-5; consider the following statements:
A. Low temperatures cause chemicals to react slowly, which interferes
with the reactions necessary for life. It can also cause the freezing
of water, making liquid water unavailable.
B. Life is limited to a temperature range of -15oC to 115oC. In this range,
liquid water can still exist under certain conditions.
C. At about 125oC, protein and carbohydrate molecules, and the
genetic material (DNA and RNA) start to break apart. High
temperatures cause the quick evaporation of water.
D. Small planets and moons have insufficient gravity to hold an
atmosphere. The gas molecules escape to space, leaving the planet
or moon without an insulating blanket or a protective shield.
3. Which of the statements above supports the existence of life in a certain
planet?
a. Both A and C c. A only
b. Both C and D d. B only
4. Temperature is a factor to be considered for a planet to become habitable,
which of the statements above shows too much of this factor? a. A, B and D
c. A and D
b. B and D d. C only
5. What would likely to happen with a planet that has a high temperature?
a. Its movement becomes slower thus creating Coriolis effect.
b. The oxygen content would be depleted creating fire.
c. The water content of the planet would evaporate easily making a planet
not suitable for living.
d. The density of the planet increases.
6. Which of the following statements is TRUE about the existence of water in a
certain planet?
a. A planet temperature should range from -15oC to 115oC. In this range,
liquid water can still exist under certain conditions.
b. A planet temperature should range from -0oC to 125oC. In this range,
liquid water can still exist under certain conditions.
c. A planet temperature should range from -15oC to 15oC. In this range,
liquid water can still exist under certain conditions.
d. A planet temperature should range from -5oC to 5oC. In this range, liquid
water can still exist under certain conditions.
7. Which of the following is TRUE about the planet Venus?
a. It has a very similar size and mass with the Earth.
b. Venus is about half the Earth's size.
c. It is a gaseous planet.
d. All of the above.
8. What are the different factors to be considered for a planet to become
habitable?
a. Temperature, energy, nutrients and density.
b. Temperature, energy, nutrients and atmosphere.
c. Temperature, energy, reproduction, density and atmosphere.
d. Temperature, energy, food and density.
 9. What makes the planet Mars possible for life existence?
a. Rotational speed of Earth and Mars are very similar and it has residue of
water.
b. The density of mars makes it possible for plants to grow.
c. The mineral content of mars makes it favorable for animal consumption.
d. Its distance from the sun is suitable for a stable temperature.
10. Why is water important for a planet to support life?
a. Water dissolves & transports chemicals within and to and from a cell.
b. Water regulates the heat in a certain planet.
c. Water is used by living things to grow.
d. All of the above.

Activity 2: Crash Landing On You: The best planet

Directions:
1. Review the table "Factors that Make a Planet Habitable". Read the
document carefully for this activity.
2. Imagine that you are in an interstellar voyage. The 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 below.
3. Your goal is to decide which planet is the best place where you can crash-
land your ship.
4. Write down in space provided below 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.
Profiles of Planets and Moons of Yanib System.
Best Planet _____ Reasons:
Reasons for not choosing the other planets:
Planet _____:
Planet _____:
Planet _____:
Planet _____:
 RUBRIC:
CRITERIA 1 ( 3 points) 2 ( 5 Points) 3 ( 7 points) 4 ( 10 points)
SCIENTIFIC Presents
Presents some Presents a Presents a logical
CONCEPT AND explanation of
illogical logical
LITERACY some scientific
explanation of explanation of explanation of
concept based
some scientificsome scientific scientific
on the profile of the
concept based concept based concept based
planets.
on the profile of on the profile of on the
the planets the profile of the planets. the
factor that planets and the factors that
makes a planet makes a planet
habitable. habitable.
Irrelevant and Less thorough
RELEVANCE insufficient with some
AND CONTENT irrelevance. Less thorough Thorough and and
OF THE but still relevant
REASONS substantial and relevant.

Activity 3: Terraforming Mars

Directions: Write a 200 word report/essay on the following topic: ‘Can man alter
Mars environment to make it more suitable for human habitation? How?’

Note: To “terraform” means to transform another planet to resemble the Earth

in several aspects, specifically the ability to support life.
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RUBRIC:
Logic and consistency in the arguments –20 points

Valid and consistent scientific concepts to support the answer- 20 points

References

(1) http://www.voyagesthroughtime.org/planetary/sample/lesson5/ z_act3.htm

(2) http://www.voyagesthroughtime.org/planetary/sample/lesson5/pdf/ goldilocks.pdf
(3) http://www.voyagesthroughtime.org/planetary/sample/lesson5/pdf/
5_3_1sas_crashland.pdf
(4) https://btc.montana.edu/ceres/html/Habitat/habitablezone.htm
(5) http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/
(6) http://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/focus-areas/how-do-stars-form-and-evolve/
(accessed: 12 october 2015)
(7) http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/solarsys/solarsys.html (accessed 12 October
2015)
(8) file:///C:/Users/User%20name/Desktop/modern%20physics/hab_ref_table.pdf
(9)file:///C:/Users/User%20name/Desktop/earth%20and%20life%20science/Earth%2
0and%20Life%20Science.pdf
(10)
file:///C:/Users/User%20name/Desktop/modern%20physics/538083main_ESS4_One -Of-A-Kind-
Planet_C3.pdf
(11) file:///C:/Users/User%20name/Desktop/modern%20physics/5571.pdf
(12)C:/Users/User%20name/Desktop/earth%20and%20life%20science/Earth%20and
%20Life%20Science.pdf