LESSON 1: EARTH AS A UNIQUE PLANET

Word Vocabulary
1. Atmosphere
2. Energy
3. Gravity
4. Magnetosphere
5. Water
6. Ozone
7. Photosynthesis
8. Moon
9. Goldilocks
10. Stratosphere

Concept Check!
Earth is a unique planet. It is the only planet capable of sustaining life because of the right combination
of elements, molecules, and ions that react under the right physical conditions to make up life-supportive
processes. It has an atmosphere that serves as a thermostat that is necessary to regulate its surface temperature.
It also contains the right amount of liquid water and oxygen that serve as essential compounds in biological
processes such as cellular respiration and photosynthesis. Earth’s scientists describe this planet as a life support
system. It is in the perfect location in the solar system. The mechanism of its rotation and revolution are well-
synchronized to bring about changes in the weather and climate. Its tilt relative to the orbital plane promotes
seasons as we know it.

In the Milky Way galaxy alone, there are about 1 billion planets. However, only the earth is habitable.
Other planets may be too hot or too cold. They may also be too big or too small. Other planets may not have an
atmosphere or a magnetic field or may not be in an orbit at all. Fortunately, planet earth possesses all the features
and characteristics that make it habitable for all living forms. Let us go through with each one of earth’s
characteristics.

Earth’s location
Earth is the third planet in the solar system. It is considered to be one of the inner planets next to Venus.
Its distance from the sun is about 93 million miles and it takes about 500 seconds for sunlight to reach the earth’s
surface. This distance from the sun is enough to support life. As we learned in our previous science lessons, the
producers, or organisms that manufacture their own food utilize the energy from the sun and convert it into
chemical energy that marks the beginning of food chains and complex food webs. Below is the chemical equation
called photosynthesis which utilizes solar energy, converting it into food that will be made available to life forms.
The distance between earth and sun is strategic enough to put this essential chemical equation to work.
CO2 + H2O C6H12O6 + O2
If the earth had been too close to the sun, its surface would have been dry and lifeless just like mercury
and Venus. If it had been too far like Uranus and Neptune, it would have been cold and dark. Earth’s tactical
location also prevents it from planetary collisions. The fact that Jupiter, the biggest planet in the solar system is
our neighbor puts planet earth in an advantage as far as life is taken into consideration. Between Mars and Jupiter
are asteroid belts. Since Jupiter is so massive, its gravity is so strong that it pulls asteroids and other space debris
towards itself, warding it away from the earth.

Earth’s atmosphere
The atmosphere is the gaseous layer that envelops the earth. It regulates the planet’s surface temperature.
Most of the element that makes up the atmosphere is nitrogen (about 78%). If we compare the earth to an apple,
the atmosphere is relatively the size of its peel. However, due to its cooling mechanisms, it protects the living
things to be directly affected with harmful radiation.
O3 O2 + O
Photodissociation is the process by which ozone molecules (O3) in the stratosphere is broken down
(decomposition reaction) into elemental oxygen (O) and diatomic oxygen (O2) as it absorbs high energy solar

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radiation and then convert it into low energy radiation. This way, harmful high-energy radiation will not go
directly into the earth’s surface.

Earth’s size and mass

The size of the earth also plays a vital role in keeping its life support system afloat. The size of a planet is
directly related to its gravitational pull. The acceleration due to gravity helps the planet maintain its atmosphere.
If the earth had been bigger than it is, its gravity would have been stronger to the point of not keeping an
atmosphere around it. If it had been too small on the other hand, it would not have been able to sustain a gaseous
layer since its gravity is too weak. Earth interacts gravitationally with the sun. Its gravity as a result of its mass,
also keeps the moon along its orbit. The moon, as the only natural satellite of Earth, plays a vital role in the
existence of all life forms.

Earth’s Magnetic Field

Our planet is a big ball of magnet. Its geographic north serves as its magnetic south and its geographic
south serves as its magnetic north. The region around earth that is dominated by magnetic field is called
magnetosphere which extends to about 65, 000 km in space. Its magnetic properties are the result of its internal
activities involving electric current flowing in the molten core made possible by its rotation. The inner core is the
solid layer of the earth and is made predominantly of iron. Since it is compressed by pressure due to earth’s
gravity, it is solid in form. The outer core on the other hand, is liquid in form and is made up predominantly of
iron and nickel.
As the earth spins, the flow of liquid iron and nickel in the outer core produces electric current, thereby
producing magnetic field. The invisible magnetic field then passes through the earth’s layer and into the space.
This magnetic field shields earth from the harmful surge of charged particles from the sun called solar winds and
other space weather. Most of the particles of solar winds cannot cross the earth because it gets deflected by the
magnetic field. Without the magnetic field, earth would have been as hot and lifeless as Mars.

Presence of water
Life as we know it, is impossible without a biologically essential compound called water (H2O). Three
fourths of the Earth’s surface are covered with water. Scientists have found out that there are other planets of the
universe that contain water. However, this compound may exist as ice or vapor alone. On earth however, water
exists as gas forming clouds, as liquid in the form of oceans and lakes and as solid in the form ice caps. This is due
to hydrologic cycle. Earth has the right amount of water to keep its habitability. Water has a cooling effect due to
its heat capacity. It has the capacity to absorb heat without raising its own temperature. As a result, life on earth
will be benefited by the cooling effect of water.

Additional Information!

Rocky or Terrestrial (Earth-like) planets Gas Giants or Jovian (Jupiter-like) planets

Mercury Jupiter

Venus Saturn

Earth Uranus

Mars Neptune

Rocky or Terrestrial (Earth-like) planets: General Characteristics

The terrestrial planets are characterized by their solid, rocky surfaces, smaller sizes compared to gas giants,
higher densities, and relatively thin atmospheres. These characteristics make them distinct from the gas giants
in our solar system.

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 Planets Atmosphere Presence Surface Tectonic Temperature Suitability
of Water Features Activity for Life
Mercury No real Yes; water scarred by tectonically 333°F No
atmosphere and ice in many impact active planet (167°C)
craters at craters
the poles

Venus Carbon Dioxide No water rolling plains Intense 867°F No

(CO2), Sulfuric and the rest is tectonic (464°C)
Acid (H2SO4), highlands and activity,
High Pressure, a few percent undergone
Clouds, Odd Polar mountains much
Vortex volcanism

Earth Nitrogen (N), Vapor, has volcanoes, Tectonic 59°F Yes

Oxygen (O), Liquid, and mountains, activities are (15°C)
Clouds, Rain, Ice → and valleys responsible
Snow Primarily a for shaping
water the Earth's
planet surface

Mars Carbon Dioxide Both liquid volcanoes, no plate Minus 85°F No

(CO2), Low & water ice canyons, dust tectonics (-65°C)
Pressure, Clouds, storms,
Snow, Dust devils, channels, and
Dust storms, Slight impact craters
traces of Methane
(CH4)

Gas Giants or Jovian (Jupiter-like) planets: General Characteristics

Like the Rocky Planets, the Gas Giant planets – sometimes referred to as the Jovian Planets (Jupiter-like)
– also have a number of general characteristics. Gas Giant planets are large in size when compared to the Rocky
Planets. Gas Giant planets are made up of primarily Gases – thus their name – with basically the same compounds
and elements, but differing percentages. These worlds are not primarily composed of rock or other solid matter
as the Rocky Planets. Some other Gas Giant characteristics include short revolution periods (when compared to
the Rocky Planets), many moons, rings, and farther from the Sun in our solar system thus the longer periods of
revolution.

Planets Atmosphere Presence of Surface Tectonic Temperature Suitability

Water Features Activity for Life
Jupiter Hydrogen (H2), Jupiter doesn’t As a gas giant, There is no -166°F No
Helium (He), have a solid Jupiter doesn’t evidence of (-110°C)
Methane (CH4), surface, but its have a true plate
Ammonia (NH3), atmosphere surface. The tectonics
Water (H2O). contains water planet is
vapor mostly
swirling gases
and liquids.

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Saturn Saturn is Saturn, being a Saturn's Saturn, -220°F No
blanketed with gas giant surface being a gas (-140°C)
clouds that composed features are giant planet
appear as faint primarily of primarily primarily
stripes, jet hydrogen and atmospheric composed
streams, and helium, does in nature, of hydrogen
storms. The not have a solid characterized and helium,
planet is many surface where by bands of does not
different shades liquid water clouds, have
of yellow, brown, could exist in storms, and its tectonic
and gray. the way it does iconic ring activity like
on Earth or system. terrestrial
other planets
terrestrial such as
planets. Earth.
Uranus Hydrogen (H2), Uranus does As an ice Uranus -320°F No
Helium (He), not have visible giant, Uranus does not (-195°C)
Methane (CH4), oceans or doesn’t have a display the
Ammonia (NH3), liquid water on true surface. type of
Water (H2O) its surface. geological
activity

Neptune Neptune's Most (80% or Neptune does There is no -353 No

atmosphere is more) of the not have a evidence of Fahrenheit
made up mostly planet's mass is solid surface. plate (-214 Celsius)
of hydrogen and made up of a tectonics.
helium with just hot dense fluid
a little bit of of "icy"
methane. materials –
water,
methane, and
ammonia –
above a small,
rocky core.

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