EARTH AS THE ONLY

HABITABLE PLANET

Week 1 – Modules 1-3

OBJECTIVES

1. identify the characteristics of

the Earth that supports life; and
2. expound how the
characteristics of the Earth sustain
the needs of living organism.
The solar system is composed of the Sun and the eight planets
revolving around it. Among those eight planets, only one can
sustain life: Earth.

 Earth is the third planet from the Sun and is the largest of

the terrestrial planets.
 HISTORY OF THE EARTH

 The history of Earth covers approximately 4

billion years (4,567,000,000 years), from Earth’s
formation out of the solar nebula to the present.
 Earth formed as part of the birth of the solar
system: what eventually became the solar
system initially existed as a large, rotating cloud
of dust and gas.
 Itwas composed of hydrogen and helium
produced in the Big Bang, as well as heavier
elements produced by stars long gone.
What makes the
Earth habitable?
 A SPECIAL PLANET: THE
HABITABLE EARTH
 What makes the Earth habitable? It is the right distance
from the Sun, it is protected from harmful solar
radiation by its magnetic field, it is kept warm by an
insulating atmosphere, and it has the right chemical
ingredients for life, including water and carbon. The
processes that shape the Earth and its environment
constantly cycle elements through the planet. This
cycling sustains life and leads to the formation of the
mineral and energy resources that are the foundation of
modern technological society.
 EARTH: A HABITABLE PLANET
Factors that make a Not Enough of the Just Right Too Much of the Factor Situation in the Solar
Planet Habitable Factor System

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

Atmosphere Small planets and Earth and Venus are Venus’s atmosphere is Of the solid planets
moons have the right size to hold a 100 times thicker than and moons, only
insufficient gravity to sufficient atmosphere. Earth’s. It is made Earth, Venus, and
hold an atmosphere. Earth’s atmosphere is almost entirely of Titan have significant
The gas molecules about 100 miles thick. greenhouse gasses, atmospheres. Mars’
escape to space, It keeps the surface making the surface atmosphere is about
leaving the planet or warm and protects it too hot for life. The 1/100th that of
moon without an from radiation and four giant planets are Earth’s, too small for
insulating blanket or a small- to medium completely made of significant insulation
protective shield. sized meteorites. gas. or shielding
 Factors that Not Enough of the Just Right Too Much of the Situation in the Solar
make a Planet Factor Factor System
Habitable

Energy When there is too little With a steady input of Light energy is a Surface: The inner
sunlight or too few of either light or problem if it makes a planets get too much
the chemicals that chemical energy, cells planet too hot or if sunlight for life. The
provide energy to cells, can run the chemical there are too many outer planets get too
such as iron or sulfur, reactions necessary for harmful rays, such as little.
organisms die life. ultraviolet. Too many
energy-rich Sub-surface: Most solid
chemicals is not a planets and moons have
problem energy-rich chemicals.

Nutrients used to Without chemicals to All solid planets and Too many nutrients Surface: Earth has a
build and make proteins and moons have the same are not a problem. water cycle, an
maintain an carbohydrates, general chemical However, too active a atmosphere, and
organism’s body. organisms cannot grow. makeup, so nutrients circulation system, volcanoes to circulate
Planets without systems are present. Those such as the constant nutrients. Venus, Titan,
to deliver nutrients to its with a water cycle or volcanism on Io, and Mars have
organisms (e.g., a water volcanic activity can Jupiter’s moon, Io, or nutrients and ways to
cycle or volcanic transport and replenish the churning circulate them to
activity) cannot support the chemicals required atmospheres of the organisms.
life. Also, when by living organisms. gas planets, interferes
nutrients are spread so with an organism’s Sub-surface: Any
thin that they are hard to ability to get enough planet or moon with
obtain, such as on a gas nutrients. sub-surface water or
planet, life cannot exist. molten rock can
circulate and replenish
nutrients for organisms
 Earth is the only place in the known universe confirmed
to host life and is the only one known for sure to have
liquid water in the surface. These are reasons why planet
earth is a unique one: (1) It has liquid water; (2) Plate
Tectonics; and (3) It has atmosphere that shelters it from
the worst of the sun’s rays.

 Earthis the only planet in the solar system that has a large
amount of liquid water. About 70% of the surface of the
Earth is covered by liquid or frozen water. It can provide
water, oxygen, useful biological products for human, and
has suitable weather and climate.
 Earth, Venus, and Mars may have similarities:
(1) They all are terrestrial planets, made of
solid rocks and silicates; (2) They all have an
atmosphere; (3) They all almost have the same
time to rotate on their axes; (4) Earth and Mars
both have water; (5) They all have carbon
dioxide; and (6 All have landforms.
 Earth, Venus, and Mars have differences: (1)
Venus has no water; (2) Venus and Mars don’t
have oxygen; and (3) Earth has life forms.
Origin and Structure of the Earth
(Subsystem)
 OBJECTIVES
 1. determine the four subsystems of the Earth;
 2. describe the characteristics of each
subsystem; 3. trace the flow of matter and
energy in the Earth’s subsystems; and
 4. express one’s internalized role as steward of
the four subsystems concerning the flow of
matter and energy.
 SUBSYSTEM OF THE EARTH
1. Atmosphere
it is the gaseous layer above the Earth’s surface,
primarily composed of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen.
Other gases like argon, carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide, ozone, and other inert gases made the
remaining 1%. The atmosphere supports life because
animals and oxygen, and plants need both carbon
dioxide and oxygen. In addition, the atmosphere
supports life indirectly by regulating climate. Air acts as
both a blanket and a filter, retaining heat at night and
shielding from direct solar radiation during the day.
SUBSYSTEM OF THE EARTH
 SUBSYSTEM OF THE EARTH
2. Biosphere
the zone of Earth where all forms of life
exist: in the sea, on land, and in water. It
is sometimes called as the large
ecosystem. This is the zone that life
inhabits. Biosphere is a very thin layer of
the earth’s surface.
 SUBSYSTEM OF THE EARTH
3. Geosphere
the solid Earth, consisting of the
entire planet from the center of
the core to the outer crust. It
includes the core, mantle, and
crust of the Earth.
SUBSYSTEM OF THE EARTH
 SUBSYSTEM OF THE EARTH
4. Hydrosphere
the water part of the Earth which
circulates among oceans,
continents, glaciers, and
atmosphere. Oceans cover 71% of
the Earth and contain 97.5% of its
water.
 SUBSYSTEM OF THE EARTH
 Earth is a complex system made up of many smaller systems through
which matter and energy are continuously cycled. Energy and matter
flow through Earth’s spheres: geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere,
and biosphere. Energy flows through the atmosphere mostly by
convection.
 How does matter and energy flow across the four subsystems of the
Earth? The Earth consists of four subsystems, across whose
boundaries matter and energy flows, the atmosphere (air), biosphere
(living things), hydrosphere (water), and geosphere (land). The
atmosphere provides the geosphere with heat and energy needed for
rock breakdown and erosion. The biosphere receives gases, heat, and
sunlight (energy) from the atmosphere. It receives water from the
hydrosphere and a living medium from the geo-sphere.
Minerals
 OBJECTIVES
1. identify the examples of minerals;
2. explain the different characteristics
of minerals;
3. differentiate minerals based on
their properties; and
4. develop awareness on the
importance of minerals around us.
 WHAT ARE MINERALS?

Minerals are the building

blocks of rocks. Mineralogists
use the criteria to determine
whether a material is classified
as a mineral or not.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF MINERALS
 1. naturally occurring- a product of Earth’s natural
processes.
 2. inorganic- it must be product of Earth’s physical
processes.
 3. homogeneous solid- minerals should have definite
volume and rigid shape.
 4. definite chemical composition—represented by a
chemical formula.
 5. orderly crystalline structure- atoms of minerals are
arranged in an orderly and repeating pattern.
 PROPERTIES OF MINERALS

To identify minerals, mineralogists observe the

following properties:

 a. Color - mineral’s color may change depending on the surface.

 b. Streak - color of mineral in powdered form.

 c. Hardness - minerals resistance to scratching.

 d. Cleavage - mineral’s resistance to being broken and fracture

 e. Crystalline structure or habit

 f. Diaphaneity/amount of transparency - ability to allow

light to pass through it. This is affected by chemical makeup of
the mineral sample.
 PROPERTIES OF MINERALS
 h. Tenacity - describes the minerals reaction to stress.
 Brittleness- a mineral turns into powder.

 Malleability a mineral can be flattened by pounding

with a hammer.
 Ductility- A mineral can be stretched into wire.
Flexible but inelastic-Minerals are bent but they remain
in the new position.
 Flexible and elastic- Minerals are bent, and they bring
back to their original position.
 Sectility- ability of minerals to be sliced by a knife.