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MEDINA COLLEGE S
Maningcol, Ozamiz City
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Senior High School R

Department H
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EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL – HUMSS 11
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MODULE 1

Earth and Earth Systems

What Is This Module About?

This module demonstrates an understanding of the subsystems (geosphere, hydrosphere,

atmosphere, and biosphere) that make up the Earth, and the Earth’s internal structure.

There are two lessons prepared for you in this module:

Lesson 1: Uniqueness of Earth
Lesson 2: Earth’s Subsystem

What Will You Learn from This Module?

After reading this module, you should be able to:

1. Recognize the uniqueness of Earth, being the only planet in the solar system with
properties necessary to support life.
2. Explain that the Earth consists of four subsystems, across whose boundaries matter
and energy flow.

How to Learn from This Module

As you read this module and do the prepared activities, you will develop higher
thinking skills, which hopefully makes you a better learner. You will understand the
concepts about the contents of Earth and Life Science and you can apply the learning’s
that you can get from this module in your daily life experiences. Before you start your
work, however, there are few things you need to remember:
1. Read and follow the instructions carefully.
2. Answer the pretest.
3. Take down notes and record points for clarification.
4. Take the posttest and check your answers against the key at the end of the
module.
5. Try to obtain at least 85% level of proficiency in the tests.

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL – HUMSS 11
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Let’s See What You Already Know

Before you start studying this module, take the following test
first to find out how much you already know about the topics to be
discussed.

Directions: Read and understand each item and choose the letter of the correct answer.

___1. Which sphere contains all living things on Earth?

A.biosphere B.atmosphere C.hydrosphere D.geosphere

___2. Which Earth sphere contains oxygen, water vapor, nitrogen and other gases to help us survive?
A.biosphere B.atmosphere C.hydrosphere D.geosphere
___3. The Geosphere is.
A. All liquid water on Earth B. A 100km thick layer of gases
C. frozen water on earth D.Earths entire solid body 
____4. Is a gas that absorbs solar radiation and releases it as heat.
A.greenhouse B. ozone C. oxide D. CFC
____5. All biogeochemical cycles have interactions

A. Within and among all the spheres

B. Between the lithosphere and atmosphere only
C. Between the biosphere and lithosphere only
D. Between the lithosphere and hydrosphere only

____6. The Earth is composed of a complex set of cycles, parts and processes that all work together as a

A. System B. Factory C. organs D. Planet

____7. The sphere that contains all the water on earth in all phases is the

A.biosphere B.atmosphere C.hydrosphere D.geosphere

____8. When carbon dioxide dissolves from the air into the ocean -the interaction is between

A.Atmosphere and Hydrosphere B. Hydrosphere only C. Geosphere and Atmosphere

D. Biosphere only

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL – HUMSS 11
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____9. The length of our year is due in large part to the Earth’s average orbital distance of

A. 1.50 x 108 km B.2.50x100 km C. 3 x 120 km D. 100x100 km

____10. When nitrogen is returned to the soil when dead plants decompose - the interaction is between

A.Biosphere and Lithosphere B. Hydrosphere only C. Geosphere and Atmosphere

D. Biosphere only

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL – HUMSS 11
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Let’s Learn

LESSON 1
Uniqueness of Earth

What makes the Earth unique?

1.It is the only known planet with liquid surface water in an amount conducive to life evolving,
remarkable for its precisely-tuned amount of water, not too much to cover the mountains, and not so little
that it's a dry desert when viewing Earth from space, there is one overwhelming feature and the oceans of
liquid water. In terms of area, these oceans cover approximately 70% of the world. What is even more
amazing than this percentage is that a single drop of liquid water is yet to be found on any other planet in
the Solar System. In this regard, the Earth is truly unique. The presence of liquid water is vital for life. In
fact, life is believed to have first developed 3.8 billion years ago in the oceans, only later evolving the
ability to survive on land.

2. It is the only known planet “Just right” location in the solar system That is, they're far enough away to
be out of the heavy heat and radiation zone, but not so far that they're extremely cold. This just-right
distance is called the "habitable zone."

3. It is the only known planet "just-right" aspect of Earth is its size; If it was much smaller, it wouldn't be
able to hold on to our precious atmosphere, but much larger and it'd be a Jovian planet too hot for all
times .

4.It is the only known planet that moon stabilizes our planet's rotation, preventing drastic movements of
the poles that could cause massive changes in climate that some scientists think could have doomed any
chance for budding life to make or evolve. The moon also helpfully pulls the ocean's tides, which
scientists suggest may need been the right place for youth to start evolving to survive ashore .

5. It is the only known planet which core gives us a source of geothermal energy, allows cycling of raw
materials, and sets up a magnetic field around the planet that protects us from radiation.

6. It is the only known planet that has a magnetic sphere around the planet which deflects the solar wind
and allows the atmosphere to remain in place. Atmosphere is the ability for Earth to possess life is
dependent in many ways on its atmosphere. The composition of the atmosphere is roughly 78% nitrogen
(N2), 21% oxygen (O2), 1% argon, with trace amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gases.

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL – HUMSS 11
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Nitrogen and oxygen are essential to DNA and biological energy production, respectively, without which
life couldn't be sustained. Additionally, the oxygen found in what is known as the ozone layer of the
atmosphere protects the surface of the planet by absorbing harmful solar radiation.

7. Orbit and Rotation At roughly 365 days, the Earth’s orbit around the Sun is familiar to us. The length
of our year is due in large part to the Earth’s average orbital distance of 1.50 x 108 km. What many of us
aren't conversant in is that at this orbital distance it takes sunlight, on the average , about eight minutes
and twenty seconds to succeed in the world .

8. It is the only known planet that has nutrients (one of the most important factors to sustain life) are
cycled through hydrologic cycle and plate tectonics (volcanism)

9.It is the only known planet that has enough amount of sunlight which is a vital for the process of
photosynthesis.

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL – HUMSS 11
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Week 1
Activity 1

Name:__________________________________ Date:____________________

Directions: Enumerate at least five reasons that make the planet Earth Unique

1.____________________________________________

2.____________________________________________

3.____________________________________________

4.____________________________________________

5.____________________________________________

II.
Directions : Make a Graphic Organizer to organize information about “What makes the Earth unique”.
Be creative, you can use short bond paper for this activity .

Template: (Note: You can make your own design)

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL – HUMSS 11
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Let’s Check What You Have Learned

Name: ________________________________________________ Date:________________

I.
Directions : Write T if the statement is true otherwise F if it is false. Write your answer on the blank
space provided

____1.Mercury is the only known planet that has a magnetic sphere around the planet which deflects the
solar wind and allows the atmosphere to remain in place.

____2.Earth It is the only known planet that has enough amount of sunlight which is a vital for the
process of photosynthesis.

____3. The length of our year is due in large part to the Earth’s average orbital distance of 1.50 x 108 km.

____4.Earth is the only known planet "just-right" aspect of Earth is its size; If it was much smaller, it
wouldn't be able to hold on to our precious atmosphere, but much larger and it'd be a Jovian planet too hot
for all times .

____5. The composition of the atmosphere is roughly 78% nitrogen (N2), 21% oxygen (O2), 1% argon,
with trace amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gases.

II.
Directions: Please answer the essay questions in full sentences. You can use additional sheet if necessary.

1. Why Earth is called a unique planet?

2. What makes Earth habitable compared to other planets?

LESSON 2

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL – HUMSS 11
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Let’s Learn

Earth’s Subsystem

The closer view of earth and its unique characteristics help us appreciate why the physical
environment is traditionally divided into four subsystems, the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere and
biosphere.

Hydrosphere : A hydrosphere is the total amount of water on a planet. The hydrosphere includes water
that is on the surface of the planet, underground, and in the air. A planet's hydrosphere can
be liquid, vapor, or ice. On Earth, liquid water exists on the surface in the form of oceans, lakes
and rivers. It also exists below ground as groundwater, in wells and aquifers. Water vapor is most visible
as clouds and fog. The frozen part of Earth's hydrosphere is made of ice: glaciers, ice caps and icebergs.
The frozen part of the hydrosphere has its own name, the cryosphere. Water moves through the
hydrosphere in a cycle. Water collects in clouds, then falls to Earth in the form of  rain or snow. This
water collects in rivers, lakes and oceans. Then it evaporates into the atmosphere to start the cycle all over
again. This is called the water cycle. The hydrosphere is composed of all the waters on or near the Earth
surface. This includes water on the surface like ocean, rivers, and lakes. It may also be the water in the
underground, in wells and aquifers and may exist as a moisture in the air which is visible as clouds and
fogs.

Atmosphere : The Earth’s atmosphere is not just comprise of air but includes an envelope of gases
extending to the space. This thin layer of gas that envelops our planet is necessary to sustain life because
it contains gases essential for humans and animals to breathe. It enables plants to make their own food,
traps heat to keep us warm, protects us from harmful radiation from the space and drives ocean currents
that spread heat which regulate our climate. The greenhouse gases help keep our planet’s temperature to
level conducive to life. The atmosphere includes air, precipitation, clouds, and aerosols. They are tiny
particles suspended in the air. It contains mixture of gases such as oxygen and nitrogen that makes up
99% of the volume in air. The remaining part of the atmosphere is composed of traces gas such as argon
while the others are carbon dioxide and ozone which are present in minute or small amounts.

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL – HUMSS 11
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One of the main components of Earth’s interdependent physical systems is the atmosphere. An
atmosphere is the layers of gases surrounding a planet or other celestial body. Earth’s atmosphere is
composed of about 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and one percent other gases. These gases are found in
layers (troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere) defined by unique features
such as temperature and pressure. The atmosphere protects life on earth by shielding it from incoming
ultraviolet (UV) radiation, keeping the planet warm through insulation, and preventing extremes between
day and night temperatures. The sun heats layers of the atmosphere causing it to convect driving air
movement and weather patterns around the world.

Geosphere:  this is the part of the planet composed of rock and minerals; it includes the solid crust, the
molten mantle and the liquid and solid parts of the earth's core. In many places, the geosphere develops a
layer of soil in which nutrients become available to living organisms, and which thus provides an
important ecological habitat and the basis of many forms of life. The surface of the geosphere is subject to
processes of erosion, weathering and transport, as well as to tectonic forces and volcanic activity, which
result in the formation of landforms such as mountains, hills and plateaux. The geosphere comprises the
solid part of the planet which include the different landforms on the surface of the Earth. The planets
inner core which extends to the crust, is predominantly classified as the lithosphere; the upper mantle and
the crust. The lithosphere is the area which mostly influence the geological processes of the planet.
Geosphere includes the non-living land features. Geosphere came from the Latin word name “Geo” which
means ground. Solid rock does not mean that geosphere is still because it is constantly moving. Our
planet’s surface is covered by a thin layer called crust. The Earth’s crust has a thin layer measuring 40km
deep composed of solid rocks and minerals with temperature of 22 degrees Celsius. The crust is made up
of large rocks. It is divided into two forms; Oceanic crust and continental crust. The biosphere is the area
where life exists. It could occupy the oceans, surface of the land and can also be in the atmosphere.

Biosphere: this contains all living organisms and it is intimately related to the other three spheres: most
living organisms require gases from the atmosphere, water from the hydrosphere and nutrients and
minerals from the geosphere. Living organisms also require a medium for life, and are adapted to inhabit
one or more of the other three spheres. However, much of the biosphere is contained within a shallow
surface layer encompassing the lower part of the atmosphere, the surface of the geosphere and
approximately the upper 100 metres of the ocean. Humans are part of the biosphere, although they are
increasingly responsible for the creation of systems that may be largely artificial (such as cities).

How do Earth’s Sphere Interact?

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL – HUMSS 11
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All the spheres interact with other spheres. For example, rain (hydrosphere) falls from clouds in
the atmosphere to the lithosphere and forms streams and rivers that provide drinking water for wildlife
and humans as well as water for plant growth (biosphere). River action erodes banks (lithosphere) and
uproots plants (biosphere) on the riverbanks. Flooding rivers wash away soil

Here are some possible interactions that you may have thought of.
 waves undercut the cliffs causing upper portions of rock to collapse.
 wave action carries sand that polishes rocks on the beach.
 vegetation takes up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releases oxygen.
 the ocean is a habitat for microscopic life, plants, fish, birds and mammals.
 wind generates waves., wind may blow away soil in exposed locations.
 oceans absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. wave action adds oxygen to water, needed
by aquatic plants and animals.

Week 1
Activity 2

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL – HUMSS 11
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Name:___________________________________ Date: __________________

How do the Earth's spheres interact?

All the spheres in the system interconnect and overlap. No sphere works on its own.

Consider this diagram.

1. How many parts of the Earth subsystem can you identify in this image? How do they interact?

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

2. Describe sphere interactions you can infer from the scene.

When you identify sphere interactions, think of one feature in
the image at a time, and decide which sphere it is a part of, then
consider how it interacts with the other spheres.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL – HUMSS 11
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Let’s Check What You Have Learned

Name: ________________________________________________
Date:________________

Scientists break down Earth’s major systems into four : the geosphere, hydrosphere , atmosphere and
biosphere. These systems interact in multiple ways to affect Earth’s surface materials and processes.
In this evaluation , choose the systems that are working together to create the following
phenomenon.

1. A mountain range blocks rainfall from Answer:

reaching an area (rain shadow), making it a
dry, desert biome .
2. The ocean supports many ecosystems Answer:
from coral reefs to tide pools
3. A sudden rainstorm in the desert can Answer:
cause flooding and severe erosion,
changing the landscape
4. Volcanic vents in the ocean create habitats Answer:
for creatures that live in or near the
intense heat
5. The troposphere is where evaporating Answer:
water from the ocean forms clouds and
precipitation
6. Wave action from strong winds causes the Answer:
coastline to erode
7. Warming of the oceans with climate Answer:
change may be causing the increased
violence in storms.
8. Daily rain and equator warmth creates the Answer:
perfect weather for the amazon rainforest
9. Winds sweep across the deserts raising Answer:
giant sandstorms that change the
landscape

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL – HUMSS 11