Factors that Not Enough of the Just Right Too Much of the Factor Situation in the Solar System

make a Factor
Planet
Habitable

Temperature Low temperatures Life seems to be At about 125oC, protein Surface: only the Earth’s
influences how cause chemicals to limited to a and carbohydrate surface is in this temperature
quickly atoms react slowly, which temperature range of - molecules, and the genetic range. Sub-surface: the interior
and molecules interferes with the 15oC to 115oC. In this material (e.g., DNA and of the solid planets and moons
move. reactions necessary for range, liquid water RNA) start to break apart. may be in this temperature
life. It can also cause can still exist under Also, high temperatures range.
the freezing of water, certain conditions. cause the quick
making liquid water evaporation of water.
unavailable.

Atmosphere Small planets and Earth and Venus are Venus’s atmosphere is Of the solid planets and
moons have the right size to hold 100 times thicker than moons, only Earth, Venus, and
insufficient gravity to a sufficient Earth’s. It is made almost Titan have significant
hold an atmosphere. atmosphere. Earth’s entirely of greenhouse atmospheres. Mars’
The gas molecules atmosphere is about gasses, making the atmosphere is about 1/100th
escape to space, 100 miles thick. It surface too hot for life. that of Earth’s, too small for
leaving the planet or keeps the surface The four giant planets are significant insulation or
moon without an warm and protects it completely made of gas. shielding.
insulating blanket or a from radiation and
protective shield. small- to
mediumsized
meteorites.
Energy When there is too little With a steady input Light energy is a problem Surface: The inner planets get
sunlight or too few of of either light or if it makes a planet too too much sunlight for life. The
the chemicals that chemical energy, hot or if there are too outer planets get too little.
provide energy to cells, cells can run the many harmful rays, such
such as iron or sulfur, chemical reactions as ultraviolet. Too many Sub-surface: Most solid
organisms die. necessary for life. energy-rich chemicals is planets and moons have
not a problem energy-rich chemicals.

Nutrients used Without chemicals to All solid planets and Too many nutrients are not a Surface: Earth has a water cycle, an
to build and make proteins and moons have the same problem. However, too active atmosphere, and volcanoes to
maintain an carbohydrates, organisms general chemical a circulation system, such as circulate nutrients. Venus, Titan,
organism’s body. cannot grow. Planets makeup, so nutrients the constant volcanism on Io, and Mars have nutrients and
without systems to deliver are present. Those with Jupiter’s moon, Io, or the ways to circulate them to
nutrients to its organisms a water cycle or volcanic churning atmospheres of the organisms.
(e.g., a water cycle or activity can transport gas planets, interferes with an
volcanic activity) cannot and replenish the organism’s ability to get Sub-surface: Any planet or
support life. Also, when chemicals required by enough nutrients. moon with sub-surface water or
nutrients are spread so living organisms. molten rock can circulate and
thin that they are hard to replenish nutrients for
obtain, such as on a gas organisms
planet, life cannot exist.

Earth: A Habitable Planet

Read the document carefully and answer the questions that follow

Table 1. Factors that make a planet habitable

Question:
1. What are the factors that make the planet habitable?
2. What are the characteristics of planet Earth that makes it habitable?

ACTIVITY 2
 Understanding Planet Earth

GROUP #: _________
Compare and Contrast

VENUS EARTH MARS

Mass (1024kg) 4.87 5.97 0.642
Diameter (km) 12,104 12,756 6792
Density (kg/m3) 5243 5514 3933
Gravity (m/s2) 8.9 9.8 3.7
Escape Velocity (km/s) 10.4 11.2 5
Surface pressure (bars) 92 1 0.01
Composition of atmosphere 96% CO2, 3.5% N 77%N, 21% O2, 1%Ar 95%CO2, 2.7%N, 1.6%Ar
Major Greenhouse Gases(GHG) CO2 CO2 H2O CO2
Mean Temperature (0C) 464 15 -65
Temperature if no greenhouse gases are -46 -18 -57
present
Changes in Temperature (0C) +523 +33 +10
due to greenhouse gases
Distance from the Sun (106km) 108.2 149.6 227.9
Orbital Period (days) 224.7 365.2 687
Orbital Velocity (km/s) 35 29.8 24.1
Length of day (hours) 2802 24 24.7
Global Magnetic Field No Yes No

QUESTION:
How is planet Earth similar and different from Venus and Mars?

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