EARTH SCIENCE

Module 1
Characteristics of Earth and Its Subsystems
What This Module is About

This module describes the characteristics of Earth that are necessary to support life,
particularly the essential components of this planet that drives all living things (biotic components)
such as plants, animals and microorganisms to exist. It also emphasizes on the different
subsystems (geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere) that make up the Earth and
how these systems interact and affect the planet Earth that we live in today.

This module will aid you in understanding the key concepts on topics that will help you answer
the questions related to our very own planet Earth.

This module has two (2) lessons:

• Lesson 1- Characteristics of Earth that are Necessary to Support Life
• Lesson 2- The Four Subsystems that Make Up the Earth

What I Need to Know

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. describe the characteristics of Earth that are necessary to support life (S11ES-Ia- b-3);
and

2. explain that the Earth consists of four subsystems, across whose boundaries matter and
energy flow (S11ES-Ib-4).
How to Learn from this Module

To achieve the learning competencies stated above, you tasked do the following:

• Take your time by reading carefully the lessons.

• Follow diligently the directions in all the activities and exercises.

• Answer all the given tests and exercises.

Icons of this Module

What I Need to This part contains learning objectives that

Know are set for you to learn as you go along the
module.

What I know This is an assessment of your knowledge

of the subject matter at hand, meant
specifically to gauge previous knowledge

What’s In This part connects previous lesson with that

of new lesson

What’s New This part is the introduction of the new

lesson through activities, before it is
presented to you.

What is It This part provides the discussion of the

activity conducted to deepen your
understanding of the concept.

What’s More This part provides the follow-up activities for

you to practice more to master the
competencies.

What I Have This part is the assessment of what you

Learned have learned from the lesson.

These are tasks for you to demonstrate the

What I can do knowledge and skills you gained and apply
them into real-life situations.
 What I Know

MULTIPLE CHOICE
Directions: Read carefully each item and choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answers on a
separate sheet of paper.

__1. Which of the following describes a habitable Earth?

A. has a weak magnetic field
B. right distance from the Sun
C. dominant presence of solid ice
D. presence of oxygen in the hydrosphere
__2. Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons why the hydrosphere is important?
A. It sustains various life forms
B. It helps in regulating the atmosphere
C. It plays an important role in ecosystems
D. It plays a major role in the movement of tectonic plates
__3. Which of the following is NOT a correct description of oxygen gas (O 2)?
A. use by animals for respiration
B. taken in by plants for photosynthesis
C. converted to carbon dioxide during respiration
D. a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas essential to living organisms
__4. Which of the following describes a Goldilocks Zone?
A. a zone composed mainly of frozen water
B. a region where life is impossible to exists
C. a zone composed only of rocks and other celestial debris
D. an area where the temperature is not too hot and not too cold
__5. Which of the following is an important characteristic of earth in sustaining life?
A. Earths’ position beyond the Goldilocks Zone
B. The atmosphere that blocks the rays of the sun from reaching Earth
C. The abundant nitrogen in the atmosphere made life possible on Earth
D. The presence of liquid water which plays a vital role for cell’s metabolism
__6. Which of the following is the reason for the importance of Earth’s subsystems? A. The subsystem
influence Earth’s encounter with space objects.
B. The subsystems solely determine the survival of different organisms
C. The subsystems contribute scarcely in flow of matter and energy
D. The subsystems influence the climate, geological processes, and life on Earth.
__7. Why is the ozone layer important in sustaining life on earth?
A. It is where Earth satellites orbit and auroras show.
B. It influences hydro-meteorological phenomenon such as storms.
C. It shields the Earth the Sun's ultraviolet radiation and keeps the planet warm.
D. It is where celestial objects get burned and disintegrated upon entering Earth.
__8. Which subsystem helps regulate the temperature of the Earth so we do not experience too much
hotness or coldness.
A. Biosphere B. Lithosphere C. Atmosphere D. Hydrosphere
__9. Which subsystem do bodies of water surround the Earth a part of?
A. Hydrosphere B. Geosphere C. Biosphere D. Atmosphere
__10. In which subsystem are gases such as oxygen gas, water vapor, and nitrogen gas found?
A. Hydrosphere B. Geosphere C. Biosphere D. Atmosphere
 Characteristics of Earth that
Lesson 1 Sustain Life

What I Need to Know

Earth is unique. It is termed as “planet of life” where matter and energy continue to flow.
Most of the cell’s processes requires energy from the Sun which is the main source of energy.
Since Earth is a closed system, energy flows to all of its living components to continue various
life processes and functions. The different forms of energy also allow the recycling of matter
needed for life. What are the characteristics of Earth that make life possible? What makes Earth
different from the rest of the planets and other heavenly bodies in the Solar System?
In this lesson, you are tasked to describe the characteristics of Earth that supports life.

a. b

Figure 1a. Planet earth Figure 1b. Living things thriving on earth

Take a look at the pictures. Reflect on it. What do you see? Can you describe Earth’s
characteristics through these illustrations?

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 What’s New

Guess What?

Directions: The picture in each item depicts a certain characteristic of Earth as a planet of life.
Fill in the missing letters to form the words or phrases implied. Analyze each picture and given
clue letters to answer this activity. Write your answers in a separate sheet of paper.
1. L __ __ U __ __ W __ T __ __

2. P__ __ S __ __ __ E of __ X__G __ N

3. D __ S __ __N __ E of E __R T __ from the __ U N

2
4. I __ F __ U __ N __ E of M __ O __ on E _RT __
 5. E __ R__ H’S A T __ O __ P H __ R __

What Is It

Earth is unique in our solar system because it has liquid water on its surface.
In fact, most of Earth’s surface is about 75 percent and covered with water. Water is present in
the atmosphere, ground, freshwater lakes, rivers, streams; and even in the polar ice caps.
Water is also found in all living things. Some plants, for example, are as much as 90–95 percent
water by weight. Adult humans are about 60 percent water by weight. Water is important for
the many life functions carried out by cells, tissues, and organs. It helps dissolve certain
nutrients and carry them throughout an organism. Water is also important for disposing of bodily
wastes.

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Scientists sometimes speak of Earth as having “Goldilocks” conditions—in other words,
Earth is “just right” for life as we know it. Earth’s place in the solar system as the third planet
from the Sun, places it in an area of space, that is not too hot and not too cold. If the Sun is
closer to Earth, liquid water would not be possible on this planet as all of it would evaporate and
life forms will not exist. If it were a little farther away, it would be colder and liquid water would
always be solid ice. Earth’s temperatures range from about –88˚C to 58˚C. All organisms on
the planet are adapted to temperatures within this range.
Earth has enough gravitational force to keep most gases close to its surface. These
gases make up the atmosphere. The planet’s atmosphere is approximately 21% oxygen, a gas
which is produced mostly by plants needed in respiration. Earth’s atmosphere also traps heat
and protects the Earth from the damaging rays of the Sun. The moon, the only satellite of Earth
also plays important role for life. The moon’s gravitational pull causes tides. In some instances,
the moon also plays a role in the distribution of life forms, like in birds for migration and
navigation. It also has an effect on the planet’s polar shifts.

What’s More

A. Fill me In.

Directions. Encircle the word within the parenthesis ( ) that best completes each statement. (20
points)

Some characteristics of (Earth, Venus) that allow it to sustain life is the oxygen (rich,
poor) atmosphere and (polar ice cap, liquid water, water vapor) that is located on the surface
of the earth. Both oxygen and water are the (keys, not necessary) to life as we know it.
Oxygen is used by (animals, plants) during aerobic (respiration, fermentation). Oxygen is
(essential, not needed) for animals to adhere to their basic needs. Surface (water, ocean) is
also a basic need for all living things. Water keeps all living things (hydrated, dry) as well as
help control the (climate, weather) which affect each organism’s survival.
Earth is surrounded by a (thin, thick) atmosphere that contains nitrogen, oxygen, and
other (trace, tiny) gases. This atmosphere provides the (air, fumes) that we breathe. It also
helps to (regulate, estimate) the temperature so that we do not experience extreme (hot or
cold, good or bad). Earth’s atmosphere also contains a layer of (ozone, helium) a molecule
consisting of three oxygen (atoms, molecules) which provides protection from harmful solar
(radiation, eclipse). Finally, threequarters of Earth's surface is covered by (water, oxygen) a
necessary ingredient for life. Earth is the only (planet, heavenly body) in the solar system that
contains liquid water.

B.
Directions: Put a check ( ⁄ ) mark for statements that describes the uniqueness of Earth. Write
your answers in sheet of paper.

__________1. Presence of oxygen in the atmosphere has no effect on the Earth’s life forms.

__________2. There is a continuous flow of energy within the Earth’s system.

__________3. Earth’s water is in the form of ice and is readily available for
organisms.
__________4. The energy of the sun drives all life processes on Earth.

__________5. Earth is positioned in the Goldilocks zone.

 What Is It

What makes earth habitable? The following are the factors that make our planet capable
of sustaining varied life forms which thrive in the various ecosystems. Try to read and
understand the factors that make our planet habitable.

1. Temperature – This will influence how quickly atoms and molecules move.
Most living things are limited to a temperature range of minus 15˚C to 115˚C. Given this
temperature range, H2O may still exist in liquid form being crucial to life. Among the other
planets, only Earth’s surface has this temperature range.
2. Water – This matter dissolves and transports materials in and out of the cell. Only Earth
has the right chemical materials like liquid water that could support life.
Right Atmospheric Conditions - The earth’s atmosphere is
capable of trapping heat and houses the important atmospheric
gases such as carbon dioxide and oxygen which cause the
earth to warm. It shields the surface from harmful radiation
through the ozone layer and Earth has the right size to hold a
sufficient-sized atmosphere. Earth’s atmosphere is about 100
miles thick.
3. Energy – Living things use light or chemical energy to run
essential life processes. With the availability of sufficient
energy, organisms can perform different metabolic reactions Figure 2. Earth’s ozone layer
through the cells. The inner planets such as Earth, get too
much sunlight for life. The outer planets get too little.
4. Right Distance from the Sun – Earth is in the
Goldilocks Zone. A region with the just the right
temperature to sustain life – not too cold not too hot.
5. Strong magnetic field - It shields us from the
electromagnetic radiation coming from the Sun. The
magnetic field deflects the radiation that may destroy
the ozone layer.
6. Nutrients – These are materials that build and maintain
an organism’s body. The inner planets including Earth
and moons have the same
general chemical components which makes Figure 3.
Earth’s magnetic field nutrients easily available in the environment.

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There are various biogeochemical cycles and geologic processes that facilitate the
transport and replenishment of the chemicals and nutrients required by the biotic factors.
Examples include water cycle and volcanism. The presence of volcanoes, cycle of
water and atmosphere, contribute to the flow of nutrients within earth’s systems.
 Figure 4: The Water Cycle

Figure 5: Volcanic Activity

7. Greenhouse Gases - Without the greenhouse

effect, Earth would be frozen, more than 60º F
colder. As mentioned above, the atmosphere is
capable of trapping heat because of greenhouse
gases. Examples of greenhouse gases are water
vapor, methane, and carbon dioxide.

8. It is protected by the plate tectonics from the very

hot temperature of the core – The earth’s Figure 6. Greenhouse gases core causes the
convection currents in the mantle absorbing heat causing the overlaying lithosphere to
move.
However, the surface is protected from heat from the core by the lithospheric plates.

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 What’s More

Directions: Describe the earth as a planet of life based on the specifications written inside the
left boxes. Write your descriptions on the right boxes. Do this in a sheet of paper.

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What’s New

Reflection: Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What is a Goldilocks Zone?

_____________________________________________________________
2. What conditions need to exist in order for life to survive?
_____________________________________________________________
3. What temperature range is good for life?
_____________________________________________________________
4. What sort of atmosphere do living things need to survive?
_____________________________________________________________
5. Do living things need water to survive? Why?
_____________________________________________________________
6. What do organisms get from the food they eat? What is its use?
_____________________________________________________________
7. Is light necessary for living things? How?
_____________________________________________________________
8. How does the earth’s magnetic field affect life on earth?
_____________________________________________________________
9. Does it matter how massive the planet is? Why?
_____________________________________________________________
10. Describe three characteristics that make Earth suitable for life?
_______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

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 What I Have Learned

Crash Landing
Directions: A meteoroid has hit your spaceship! This happened while you are passing through a stellar
system with one (1) star and seven (7) planets, some of which has moons. You are running
out of fuel so you need to crash land on one of the planets. Listed below are the planets and
their characteristics. Which of these planets should be your choice for crash landing? Support
your answer. Write your answer in a sheet of paper.
Planet 1 (closest to the star) Planet 4:
Mass: 1.5 (almost the same size as earth) Mass - 1.5 (almost the same size as earth)
Tectonics: Active volcanoes and seismic Tectonics: Active volcanoes and seismic
activity detected activity detected
Atmosphere: None Atmosphere: trace amounts of nitrogen,
Average temperature: 651˚C methane and carbon dioxide
Description: Due to extreme surface Average Temperature: 2˚C
temperatures, instead of an atmosphere, the Description: oceans which are cooled solid
planet has a thin exosphere composed of ice all throughout area
atoms blasted off from the nearby star.
Planet 2 Planet 5
Mass-0.5 (half the size of Earth) Gas giant with one large moon
Tectonics: No activity detected Moon: sulfur dioxide (SO2) atmosphere
Atmosphere: Thin CO2 atmosphere detected Many volcanoes and hot springs on surface
Average Temperature: 10˚C Temperatures in hot spots can be up to
Description: Presence of ice caps in the 600˚C. Other spots away from volcanic heat
polar region, riverbeds with no water, and a can get as low in temperatures 145˚C
number of craters are observed from its orbit

Planet 3 Planet 6
Mass: 1 (same size as earth) Gas giant with four large, rocky satellites
Tectonics: Active volcanoes and seismic (moons)
activity detected Moons have no appreciable atmosphere
Atmosphere: CO2, H2O(g), O2 Ice detectable on one
Temperature: 50˚C
Description: Liquid water, oceans cover
much of the surface, volcanic island chains
Planet 7 (furthest from star)
Gas giant with two large moons
Moon 1: An atmosphere which is full of
methane gas with very high pressure to
maintain a methane ocean
Temperature: 2˚C
Moon 2: Covered in water ice, ice appears,
cracked and refrozen in parts, indicating a
potential liquid ocean underneath surface
Temperature: 1`˚C

Adopted from https://bit.ly/2ZboomS

 9

What I Can Do

Performance Task:

Suppose you are an astronaut and you have a trip into space riding through a spaceship,
and you are instructed to create a list of items you would need to bring with you to survive on this
extended trip.
What supplies would be necessary for life to continue on this trip? Think beyond what
humans would need, and consider the needs of other forms of life that humans might bring along.

Enrichment Activity:

Watch a video entitled “Earth as a Planet of Life” through this YouTube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCDVN7DCzYE`
In a short paragraph, share thoughts about the formation of the earth and existence of life
on earth.

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Lesson 1.1
Subsystems of the Earth

What’s In

In lesson 1, you have learned about the characteristics of Earth that makes it suitable for
life. Many of these characteristics, result from Earth’s distance from the Sun.
In the next topic, you will learn about the four subsystems of the earth namely:
atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. You will also discover through this lesson
that matter and energy flow in these four subsystems.

What I Need to Know

The planet Earth is home to varied life forms which interact continuously with the non-
living components. There are four subsystems that composed the earth. These include the
atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. Each of these systems, allow earth to
keep itself in balance. A change in one system will affect other system.

Figure 7. Planet Earth Figure 8. Mountain

In this lesson, you will explain that the earth consists of four (4) subsystems, across whose
boundaries, matter and energy flow.
 11
What’s New

Earth’s Systems A.
Direction: Supply the blanks with the different subsystems of the earth which are shown
through the illustration. Write your answers in a sheet of paper.

___________ _____________

__________ ____ ________________

12
 What Is It

Earth is one of the inner planets in the solar system. According to radiometric dating
record, it is said to be 4.56 billion years old. It is the only planet in the solar system to harbor life.
Earth is a closed system. This means that if it gets what it wants, it does not return it back. It gets
energy from the Sun but returns only some back to space. Biogeochemical cycles drive the Earth’s
subsystems. It is through these cycles that earth materials are recycled and replenish. The following
are the definitions of the subsystems.

1. Atmosphere – A set of layers of gases that blankets the planet held by the planet’s gravity.
It is consisted of 78% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon and 0.04% water vapor
including all other gases. Different layers of the atmosphere include the troposphere,
stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere.

2. Hydrosphere - It is the liquid component of the Earth including oceans, glacial waters, and
freshwater bodies that covers 70% of the earth’s surface; 98% of the water on Earth is
saltwater.

3. Geosphere - It is the solid sphere of the earth. This is where geologic processes such as
volcanism and orogenesis (mountain building) take place. The lithosphere is a part of the
geosphere that is composed of the solid, outermost part of the planet.

4. Biosphere - This is the living sphere of the earth. It is the totality of all the ecosystems in the
whole planet. It compels us to interact with other living organisms with the influence of the
abiotic factors in the system.
 What’s More

Why, Why, Why?

Directions: Create “Why” type of questions that relate to the interactions of the four subsystems
of the Earth as illustrated below.

EARTH’S SYSTEM GRAPHIC

ORGANIZER

HYDROSPHERE
ATMOSPHERE

BIOSPHERE GEOSPHERE

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 What I Can Do

A. Where do you Think Life Exist?

Directions: The following table contains pictures of different places on Earth. Describe what each
photo is showing. Examine whether it is possible or impossible for life to exist there. If you think
so, list some of the organisms which you think may exist in these places and the interactions
involve.
A place on Earth What is this Do you think there is life here? If so, what
image possible organism/s may exist here and
showing? how may they thrive?
 16

B. Concept Mapping

Directions: Complete the concept map by filling in the necessary information pertaining on the
subsystems of the Earth. Analyze the flow of concepts through the diagram.

all To form

there are which on or near

r near

namely

consist of

consist of
consist of Is a

in of
 Summary

Earth is the only planet in the solar system where life of plants, animals, and even microorganisms
is possible. These salient features of Earth include distance from the sun, right atmospheric
conditions, availability of liquid water and even water vapor and solid ice, influence of the moon,
continuous flow of energy and nutrients in the system, strong magnetic field and a fitting greenhouse
effect to warm the planet.

There are four main subsystems of the Earth. The atmosphere is an envelope of gases protecting
the surface of the planet from ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The hydrosphere comprised all the
bodies of water such as ocean, sea, rivers, lakes and glaciers. The geosphere is the solid portion of
earth which is consist also of the lithosphere where the crust, mantle and core are found. The
biosphere is consisting of all life forms. These systems interact and are interconnected in sustaining
life in varied forms.
 Assessment: (Post-Test)
Direction: Select the letter of your choice. Write it in CAPITAL form. Your answers should be written on a
separate sheet of paper.

__1. Which of the following describes a habitable Earth?

A. right distance from the Sun B. presence of
oxygen in the hydrosphere
C. has a weak magnetic field
D. dominant presence of solid ice
__2. Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons why the hydrosphere is important?
E. It sustains various life forms
F. It helps in regulating the atmosphere
G. It plays an important role in ecosystems
H. It plays a major role in the movement of tectonic plates
__3. Which of the following is NOT a correct description of oxygen gas (O 2)?
E. use by animals for respiration
F. taken in by plants for photosynthesis
G. converted to carbon dioxide during respiration
H. a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas essential to living organisms
__4. Which of the following describes a Goldilocks Zone?
E. a zone composed mainly of frozen water
F. a region where life is impossible to exists
G. a zone composed only of rocks and other celestial debris
H. an area where the temperature is not too hot and not too cold
__5. Which of the following is an important characteristic of earth in sustaining life? E. Earths’ position
beyond the Goldilocks zone
F. The atmosphere that blocks the rays of the sun from reaching Earth
G. The abundant nitrogen in the atmosphere made life possible on Earth
H. The presence of liquid water which plays a vital role for cell’s metabolism
__6. Which of the following is the reason for the importance of Earth’s subsystems? E. The subsystem
influence Earth’s encounter with space objects.
F. The subsystems contribute scarcely in flow of matter and energy
G. The subsystems barely influence the survival of different organisms
H. The subsystems influence the climate, geological processes, and life on Earth.
__7. Why is the ozone layer important in sustaining life on earth? E. It is where
Earth satellites orbit and auroras show.
F. It influences hydro-meteorological phenomenon such as storms.
G. It shields the Earth the Sun's ultraviolet radiation and keeps the planet warm.
H. It is where celestial objects get burned and disintegrated upon entering Earth.
__8. Which subsystem helps regulate the temperature of the Earth so we do not experience too much
hotness or coldness.
B. Biosphere B. Lithosphere C. Atmosphere D. Hydrosphere
__9. Which subsystem do bodies of water surround the Earth a part of?
C. Hydrosphere B. Geosphere C. Biosphere D. Atmosphere
__10. In which subsystem are gases such as oxygen gas, water vapor, and nitrogen gas found?
B. Hydrosphere B. Geosphere C. Biosphere D. Atmosphere
OUPUTS TO BE SUBMITTED FOR MODULE 1
Short coupon bond paper

Cover Page Format

Marcial O. Rañola Memorial School

Senior High School Department

GARDE 11 EARTH SCIENCE

OUPUTS FOR MODULE 1

(Date of Submission)

Submitted by:

Surname, First Name Middle Name

Section

Submitted to:

PAOLIN PEARL O. RAPISURA

Subject Teacher