EARTH SCIENCE MODULE 1: CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GREENHOUSE GASES: Without the greenhouse effect, Earth

EARTH AND ITS SUBSYSTEM would be frozen, more than 60º F colder. As mentioned above,
the atmosphere is capable of trapping heat because of
LESSON 1: CHARACTERISTICS OF EARTH THAT SUSTAIN greenhouse gases. Examples of greenhouse gases are water
LIFE vapor, methane, and carbon dioxide.
EARTH- termed as planet of life where matter and energy IT IS PROTECTED BY THE PLATE TECTONICS FROM THE
continue to flow VERY HOT TEMPERATURE OF THE CORE: The earth’s core
causes the convection currents in the mantle causing the
> In fact, most of Earth’s surface is about 75 percent and
overlaying lithosphere to move. However, the surface is
covered with water
protected from heat from the core by the lithospheric plates.
> Earth has enough gravitational force to keep most gases
close to its surface. LESSON 2: SUBSYSTEMS OF THE EARTH
> These gases make up the atmosphere. > There are four subsystems that composed the earth.
> The planet’s atmosphere is approximately 21% oxygen, a gas These include the atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere
which is produced mostly by plants needed in respiration.
and biosphere. Each of these systems, allow earth to
> Earth’s atmosphere also traps heat and protects the Earth
keep itself in balance. A change in one system will affect
from the damaging rays of the Sun.
> The moon, the only satellite of Earth also plays important
other system.
role for life. > According to radiometric dating record, Earth is said to
> Water is also found in all living things. be 4.56 billion years old.
> Scientists sometimes speak of Earth as having “Goldilocks” > Earth is a closed system. This means that if it gets what
conditions—in other words, Earth is “just right” for life as we it wants, it does not return it back. It gets energy from
know it. Earth’s place in the solar system as the third planet the Sun but returns only some back to space.
from the Sun, places it in an area of space, that is not too hot
and not too cold. ATMOSPHERE: A set of layers of gases that blankets the
planet held by the planet’s gravity. It is consisted of 78%
SUN- main source of energy nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon and 0.04% water
vapor including all other gases. Different layers of the
>Some plants, for example, are as much as 90–95 percent
atmosphere include the troposphere, stratosphere,
water by weight.
mesosphere and thermosphere.
> Adult humans are about 60 percent water by weight. Water
is important for the many life functions carried out by cells, HYDROSPHERE: It is the liquid component of the Earth
tissues, and organs. including oceans, glacial waters, and freshwater bodies that
> It helps dissolve certain nutrients and carry them throughout covers 70% of the earth’s surface; 98% of the water on Earth is
an organism. saltwater
> Water is also important for disposing of bodily wastes.
GEOSPHERE: It is the solid sphere of the earth. This is where
THE FACTORS THAT MAKE OUR PLANET HABITABLE: geologic processes such as volcanism and orogenesis
(mountain building) take place. The lithosphere is a part of the
TEMPERATURE: This will influence how quickly atoms and
geosphere that is composed of the solid, outermost part of
molecules move. Most living things are limited to a
the planet.
temperature range of minus 15˚C to 115˚C. Among the other
planets, only Earth’s surface has this temperature range. BIOSPHERE: This is the living sphere of the earth. It is the
WATER: This matter dissolves and transports materials in and totality of all the ecosystems in the whole planet. It compels us
out of the cell. Only Earth has the right chemical materials like to interact with other living organisms with the influence of
liquid water that could support life the abiotic factors in the system.
RIGHT ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS: The earth’s
SUMMARY:
atmosphere is capable of trapping heat and houses the
important atmospheric gases such as carbon dioxide and  Earth is the only planet in the solar system where life
oxygen which cause the earth to warm. Earth’s atmosphere is of plants, animals, and even microorganisms is
about 100 miles thick. possible.
ENERGY: Living things use light or chemical energy to run  These salient features of Earth include distance from
essential life processes. The inner planets such as Earth, get the sun, right atmospheric conditions, availability of
too much sunlight for life. The outer planets get too little. liquid water and even water vapor and solid ice,
RIGHT DISTANCE FROM THE SUN: Earth is in the Goldilocks influence of the moon, continuous flow of energy and
Zone. A region with the just the right temperature to sustain nutrients in the system, strong magnetic field and a
life – not too cold not too hot. fitting greenhouse effect to warm the planet.
STRONG MAGNETIC FIELD: It shields us from the  There are four main subsystems of the Earth. The
electromagnetic radiation coming from the Sun. The magnetic atmosphere is an envelope of gases protecting the
field deflects the radiation that may destroy the ozone layer. surface of the planet from ultraviolet radiation from
NUTRIENTS: These are materials that build and maintain an the sun. The hydrosphere comprised all the bodies of
organism’s body. water such as ocean, sea, rivers, lakes and glaciers. The
> There are various biogeochemical cycles and geologic geosphere is the solid portion of earth which is consist
processes that facilitate the transport and replenishment of also of the lithosphere where the crust, mantle and
the chemicals and nutrients required by the biotic factors. core are found. The biosphere is consisting of all life
Examples include water cycle and volcanism. forms. These systems interact and are interconnected
in sustaining life in varied forms.