Lesson 1 Earth and The Solar System

EARTH: THE

UNIQUE PLANET
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU AFTER
THE LESSON

• recognize the uniqueness of the earth being the only planet in

the solar system with properties necessary to support life
(S11/12ES-la-e-3);
• explain that earth consists of four subsystems, across whose
boundaries matter and energy flow (S11/12ES-la-e-4); and
• identify common rock forming minerals using their chemical
and physical properties (S11/12ES-la- 3).
Pre-assessment! Select the letter of the best
answer from the given choices.
1. How many seconds does it take for sun’s light to reach the
surface of the earth?
A. 150 seconds
B. 250 seconds
C. 500 seconds
D. 1000 seconds
2. What is the average distance between the earth and the sun?
A. 91 million miles
B. 93 million miles
C. 95 million miles
D. 97 million miles
3. What is the process by which plants manufacture their own

food by converting solar energy into chemical energy?
A. Calvin cycle
B. Photosynthesis
C. Cellular respiration
D. Photodissociation
4. What is the gaseous layer that envelops the earth?

A. Ionosphere
B. Atmosphere
C. Ozone layer
D. Stratosphere
5. The earth’s outer core is predominantly made up of iron and

A. Nickel
B. Cobalt
C. Copper
D. Aluminum
What do you remember about the planets in our solar
system, specifically focusing on earth?
Take a look at the pictures. Reflect on it. What do
you see? Can you describe earth’s characteristics
through these illustrations?
Two Major Requirements For A Planet To
Become Habitable.
 The star should survive long

enough for its planets to
develop life which means a
medium-mass star, such as
the sun, can survive long
enough for life to develop.
Two Major Requirements For A Planet To
Become Habitable.
 The planet must be located in

the Goldilocks Zone – a
region in the universe where
water could remain liquid.
 Earth is a unique planet
- the only planet capable of sustaining life because

of the right combination of elements, molecules and
ions that react under the right physical conditions to
make up the processes supportive to life
Characteristics Of Earth That Make It Unique Compared To Other Planets.

 Earth has liquid water on its
surface
- Earth is the only planet in the Solar
system that is located in the habitable
zone.
- The habitable zone (also called
the goldilocks zone) is the area around a
star where a planet could support liquid
water.
 Earth is the only planet with
continents
- Continents are large, continuous masses of land that
sit on top of plate tectonics and “float” on the planet’s
mantle.
- As plate tectonics move and geological activity
happen in the form of volcanoes, for example, contents
drift and re-adjust.

 Earth is the only planet with just one Moon
Mercury 0
Venus 0
Earth 1
Mars 2
Jupiter 80
Saturn 83
Uranus 27
Neptune 14

 Earth’s atmosphere is very
different from the other planets
- Most planet’s atmosphere is mostly

made up of hydrogen or carbon
dioxide. But Earth is the only planet
with an atmosphere that is primarily
made up of nitrogen.
Characteristics Of Earth That Make It Unique Compared To

Other Planets.
 Earth’s temperature is stable
It has an atmosphere that serves as a thermostat

that is necessary to regulate its surface
temperature.

Other factors for other planets to be inhabitable…
Mercury
 experiences extreme temperatures due to its
slow rotation.
 It also has a very thin atmosphere that is not
capable of capturing and maintaining the right
amount of heat.
Venus
 on the other hand, is very hot because it has a lot
of active volcanoes that produce a very thick
atmosphere.
 the thick atmosphere contributes to an increased
greenhouse effect, making the surface
temperature very high.
Mars
 has very little volcanic activity. As a

result, it has a thin atmosphere and
cold surface temperature.
What are your personal experiences and feelings about
the planet?
ACTIVITY
TIME!
 Create a mind map or a
concept map showcasing the
different properties of Earth
that are necessary to support
life
 After completing the mind

maps, have each group
present their work to the class
 Fact Check!
• Earth’s scientists describe this planet as a life

support system
TRUE FALSE
 Fact Check!
• Its tilt relative to the orbital plane promotes seasons

as we know it.
TRUE FALSE
 Fact Check!
• Earth is the third planet in the solar system.
TRUE FALSE
 Fact Check!
• This distance from the sun is enough to support life.
TRUE FALSE
 Fact Check!
• The atmosphere is the gaseous layer that envelops

the earth
TRUE FALSE
 Fact Check!
• On earth however, water exists as gas forming

clouds, as liquid in the form of oceans and lakes and
as solid in the form ice caps
TRUE FALSE
What Is A “Goldilocks Zone”?
• The distance Earth

orbits the Sun is just
right for water to remain
liquid
• The distance form the
sun is called Habitable
Zone or Goldilocks
Zone
What Is A “Goldilocks Zone”?
• The habitable zone is

the area around a star
where it is not too hot
and not too cold for
liquid water to exist on
the surface of
surrounding planets.

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EARTH: THE

• recognize the uniqueness of the earth being the only planet in

3. What is the process by which plants manufacture their own

4. What is the gaseous layer that envelops the earth?

5. The earth’s outer core is predominantly made up of iron and

 The star should survive long

 The planet must be located in

- the only planet capable of sustaining life because

Characteristics Of Earth That Make It Unique Compared To Other Planets.

Characteristics Of Earth That Make It Unique Compared To Other Planets.

Characteristics Of Earth That Make It Unique Compared To Other Planets.

- Most planet’s atmosphere is mostly

Characteristics Of Earth That Make It Unique Compared To

It has an atmosphere that serves as a thermostat

Characteristics Of Earth That Make It Unique Compared To Other Planets.

 has very little volcanic activity. As a

 After completing the mind

• Earth’s scientists describe this planet as a life

• Its tilt relative to the orbital plane promotes seasons

• Earth is the third planet in the solar system.

• This distance from the sun is enough to support life.

• The atmosphere is the gaseous layer that envelops

• On earth however, water exists as gas forming

• The distance Earth

• The habitable zone is

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