Recognize the uniqueness of Earth, being the only planet in the solar system with properties necessary to support life.
The Solar System, is composed of the sun and the eight planets revolving around it. Among the eight planets, only one can support life: EARTH.
There are two major requirements for a planet to become habitable.
First: The star should survive long enough for its planet to develop life.
Second: The planet should exist in a region where water could remain liquid.
First: The star should survive long enough for its planet to develop life.
The first requirement indicates that massive stars would have the least possibility to be habitable since they can only live for a relatively short period.
Compared to medium-mass stars, such as the sun, which can survive long enough for life to develop.
Second: The planet should exist in a region where water could remain liquid.
The second requirement entails that the planet must be located in the Goldilock Zone.
Being in the Goldilocks Zone indicates that due to the distance of Earth from the Sun, the amount of heat and solar energy received is just enough to make the temperature of Earth neither too hot nor too cold.
For the inner planets, Mercury and Venus, since they are too close, the energy received from the sun is too much, contributing to the increase in temperature of their surfaces.
For the outer planets, such as Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, their distances from the Sun are so far that the energy they receive is very little, making these planets very cold.
Aside from their distance from the sun, planets may also have other features that are not suitable for life.
Mercury, for example, experiences extreme temperature due to its slow rotation.
It also has a very thin atmosphere that is not capable of capturing and maintaining the right amount of heat.
Venus on the other hand, is very hot because it has a lot of active volcanoes that produce a very thick atmosphere. The thick atmosphere contributes to an increased greenhouse effect, making the surface temperature very high.
In contrast with Venus, the fourth terrestrial planet, Mars, has very little volcanic activity.
As a result, it has a thin atmosphere and cold surface temperature.
The Jovian Planets, on the other hand, are mainly composed of gases. Therefore there is no land where organisms can live.
With these features, it can be clearly seen how Earth is the only planet compatible with life.
A planet with the right temperature enables water to remain in its liquid form, a necessary ingedient of life.
A high temperature would change the phase of water from liquid to gas and a low temperature would change its phase from liquid to solid
2. Table of
Contents!
Overview
Recognize the uniqueness of
Earth, being the only planet in
the solar system with
properties necessary to
support life.
Topic Features
Earth and Earth Systems
3. OVERVIEW
The Solar System, is composed of the sun
and the eight planets revolving around it.
Among the eight planets, only one can
support life: EARTH.
F.Y.I
4. But how come Earth
can support life
while the other
planets cannot?
Let Me Think!
5. - There are two major
requirements for a planet
to become habitable.
- First: The star should
survive long enough for its
planet to develop life.
- Second: The planet should
exist in a region where
water could remain liquid.
Introduction
6. - First: The star should survive long enough for
its planet to develop life.
- The first requirement indicates
that massive stars would have
the least possibility to be
habitable since they can only live
for a relatively short period.
- Compared to medium-mass
stars, such as the sun, which
can survive long enough for life
to develop.
Explanation!
7. - Second: The planet should exist in a region
where water could remain liquid.
- The second requirement entails
that the planet must be located
in the Goldilock Zone.
- Being in the Goldilocks Zone
indicates that due to the distance
of Earth from the Sun, the
amount of heat and solar energy
received is just enough to make
the temperature of Earth neither
too hot nor too cold.
Explanation!
- For the inner planets, Mercury and Venus,
since they are too close, the energy received
from the sun is too much, contributing to the
increase in temperature of their surfaces.
- For the outer planets, such as Mars, Jupiter,
Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, their distances
from the Sun are so far that the energy they
receive is very little, making these planets very
cold.
8. Aside from their distance
from the sun, planets may
also have other features
that are not suitable for life.
Mercury, for example,
experiences extreme
temperature due to its slow
rotation.
It also has a very thin
atmosphere that is not
capable of capturing and
maintaining the right
amount of heat.
Mercury
9. Venus on the other hand,
is very hot because it has a
lot of active volcanoes that
produce a very thick
atmosphere. The thick
atmosphere contributes to
an increased greenhouse
effect, making the surface
temperature very high.
Venus
10. In contrast with Venus, the
fourth terrestrial planet,
Mars, has very little
volcanic activity.
As a result, it has a thin
atmosphere and cold
surface temperature.
Mars
11. The Jovian Planets, on the
other hand, are mainly
composed of gases.
Therefore there is no land
where organisms can live.
With these features, it can
be clearly seen how Earth
is the only planet
compatible with life.
Jovian Planets
12. A planet with the right
temperature enables water
to remain in its liquid
form, a necessary ingedient
of life.
A high temperature would
change the phase of water
from liquid to gas and a low
temperature would change
its phase from liquid to solid.
Explanation!
13. The capability of early
Earth to sustain liquid
water dramatically increased
the possibility of life.
F.Y.I
14. Question!!!
Will Earth be able to sustain
life if it remained in its
position and the sun was a
massive star? Low-mass star?
Explain your answers.
Short Quiz
15. What are the 4
principal subsystems
of the Earth?
Briefly explain each.
Homework!
Activity!
On a long bond paper,
draw/illustrate the Earth
in the Solar System.
Explain how its distance
from the Sun make it a
good planet for habitat.
16. Thank You!
Chapter 1:
Origin and
Structure of
the Earth
Earth & Life
Science
Grade 11
Mrs. MerieLyn DJ.Agustin-DelaCruz
Science Teacher
