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Chapter 1 Suggested time allotment 3 hours

MODULE

3 Earth: The Living Planet

INTRODUCTION
Our home planet is the third planet from the Sun, and
the only place we know of so far that’s inhabited by living
things.

While Earth is only the fifth largest planet in the solar

system, it is the only world in our solar system with liquid
water on the surface. Just slightly larger than nearby Venus,
Earth is the biggest of the four planets closest to the Sun, all
of which are made of rock and metal.

The name Earth is at least 1,000 years old. All of the

planets, except for Earth, were named after Greek and
Roman gods and goddesses. However, the name Earth is a
Germanic word, which simply means “the ground.”

Earth is considered as a home of simple single-celled organisms up to the most complex life forms including
humans. It is undeniable that the planet we live in is a rare planet as it is the only planet in our solar system that permits
life. The different characteristics of Earth are responsible for the proliferation of life.
In this module, you will recognize the uniqueness of Earth, being the only planet in the solar system with
properties necessary to support life.

At the end of Module 3, you are expected to answer the key question below:

What are the different factors that allow Earth to support life?

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LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Recognize the different physical and chemical properties between the Earth
and its neighboring planets and
2. Identify the factors that allow a planet to support life.

Let us determine how much you already know about the different physical and chemical
properties between the Earth and its neighboring planets. Take the test below.

Pre-Test
Multiple Choice
Select the correct letter.
1. Which of the following planets permits 5. Which of the following is not true about the
growth and life? hydrosphere?
A. Mars A. The hydrosphere contains all the water on
B. Jupiter our planet including ice and vapor.
C. Saturn B. It serves as thermostat and heat reservoir,
D. Earth especially the ocean.
2. Which of the following gases is the most C. It is also a way for transportation.
abundant in Earth’s atmosphere? D. Half of the Earth's surface is composed
A. nitrogen of the oceans and the seas.
B. oxygen 6. Which of the following is not true about the
C. carbon dioxide earth's atmosphere?
D. hydrogen A. The earth’s atmosphere protects us from
3. _____________ is a living medium for the sun’s radiation.
growth of all kinds of vegetation. B. It contains the ozone layer that absorbs
A. atmosphere the ultraviolet wavelengths.
B. hydrosphere C. Thirty percent of the radiation is reflected
C. soil away by the atmosphere, clouds, and
D. oceans surface.
4. Which of the following is true about the role D. The atmosphere only consists of nitrogen,
of soil in growth and life on Earth? carbon dioxide, oxygen, and argon.
A. The soil provides nutrients, water, and 7. Which of the following is not true about the
substrate for vegetation. soil?
B. There is no relationship between the soil A. It is composed of mixtures of minerals,
and vegetation. water, air, organic matter, and organisms.
C. The soil allows growth of different types B. It is a living medium—a medium for
of plants but not microorganisms. growth of all kinds of vegetation.
D. They do not affect growth and life on
Earth.

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C. It produces trees and forests cover, I. The atmosphere prevents the entry of
ensures the water and nutrient cycle, and solar radiation.
prevents soil and wind erosion. II. The presence of nitrogen and carbon
D. It promotes growth for plants by dioxide in the atmosphere makes the
providing nutrients, water, and as a Earth habitable.
substrate for anchorage of roots. III. The soil is a living medium—a medium
8. How do oxygen and carbon dioxide make the for growth of all kinds of vegetation.
earth habitable? IV. Some forms of the hydrosphere serve as
A. Carbon dioxide is used by photosynthetic ways for transportation.
organisms in photosynthesis, and the A. I and II only
oxygen is used by humans and animals for B. I, II and III
respiration. C. I, III and IV
B. Carbon dioxide and oxygen lead to D. II, III, IV
maintenance of heat on Earth.
C. Carbon dioxide and oxygen is used by
photosynthetic organisms and by our cells
to function.
D. Carbon dioxide and oxygen help prevent
the entry of UV radiation.
9. How does Earth’s atmosphere protect us
from the Sun's radiation?
I. Some of the sun's radiation is reflected
away and absorbed by the atmosphere,
clouds, and the Earth's surface.
II. The presence of the ozone layer absorbs
the ultraviolet wavelengths, and the
absorption of this radiation heats up the
air.
III. The gases in the atmosphere act as a
protective layer that makes the sun's
radiation reflect away from the Earth's
surface.
IV. The atmosphere reflects all the sun's
radiation.
A. I only
B. II only
C. II and III
D. I and II
10. Which of the following characteristics of
Earth help in the proliferation of life?

Glossary of Terms
Let’s learn about it!

List of important terms that you should familiarize and remember:

Terrestrial planet (telluric planet, or rocky planet) - is a planet that is composed primarily of silicate rocks or
metals. Within the Solar System, the terrestrial planets are the inner planets closest to the Sun, i.e. Mercury,
Venus, Earth, and Mars. The terms "terrestrial planet" and "telluric planet" are derived from Latin words for

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Earth (Terra and Tellus), as these planets are, in terms of structure, Earth-like. These planets are located
between the Sun and the asteroid belt. Terrestrial planets have a solid planetary surface, making them
substantially different from the larger gaseous planets, which are composed mostly of some combination of
hydrogen, helium, and water existing in various physical states.
Giant planet - is any planet much larger than Earth. They are usually primarily composed of low-boiling-point
materials (gases or ices), rather than rock or other solid matter, but massive solid planets can also exist. There
are four known giant planets in the Solar System: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Many extrasolar giant
planets have been identified orbiting other stars. Giant planets are also sometimes called jovian planets, after
Jupiter ("Jove" being another name for the Roman god "Jupiter"). They are also sometimes known as gas giants.
However, many astronomers now apply the latter term only to Jupiter and Saturn, classifying Uranus and
Neptune, which have different compositions, as ice giants.
Dwarf planet - is a planetary-mass object that does not dominate its region of space (as a true or classical planet
does) and is not a satellite. That is, it is in direct orbit of the Sun and is massive enough to be plastic – for its
gravity to maintain it in a hydrostatically equilibrious shape (usually a spheroid) – but has not cleared the
neighborhood around its orbit of other material.
Escape velocity - minimum speed an object needs to escape a planet's pull of gravity.
Surface pressure - atmospheric pressure at a location on the surface of the planet. It is proportional to the mass
of air above the location
Temperature if no GHG - this would be the temperature of the planet without the warming effect of greenhouse
gases. Note that the temperature of the Earth would be ~ 18 0C lower without greenhouse warming.
Thermophiles - bacteria that can tolerate extreme temperatures (41 to 122 0C) commonly associated with hot
springs and deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Life, in general can tolerate a wide range of temperature conditions.
The temperature range that allows water to exist in the liquid state is the over-riding factor.
Temperature - is a physical property of matter that quantitatively expresses hot and cold. It is the manifestation of
thermal energy, present in all matter, which is the source of the occurrence of heat, a flow of energy, when a
body is in contact with another that is colder.
Chemosynthetic bacteria - include a group of autotrophic bacteria that use chemical energy to produce their own
food. Like photosynthetic bacteria, chemosynthetic bacteria need a carbon source (e.g. carbon dioxide) as well
as an energy source in order to manufacture their own food.

Reading Resources and Instructional Activities

Activity 1: Compare and Contrast.

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Can I answer this?

Q1. What are the similarities and differences among these three terrestrial planets?
Q2. Why does the planet Earth appear blue?

Let’s learn about it!

Table 1. Venus, Earth, Mars Comparison

(modified from ([Link]
VENUS EARTH MARS
Mass x 1024 ( kg) 4.87 5.97 0.642
Diameter (km) 12,104 12,756 6,792
Density (kg/m3) 5,243 5,514 3,933
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
96% 77% N 95 % CO2
Composition of Atmosphere CO2 21% O2 2.7% N
3.5% N 1% Ar 1.6% Ar
Major Greenhouse Gases (GHG) CO2 CO2 H2O CO2
Mean Temperature (oC) 464 15 -65
Temperature if no GHG -46 -18 -57
Change in Temperature (oC) due to GHG + 523 + 33 + 10
Distance from Sun x 106 (km) 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) 2,802 24 24.7
Global Magnetic Field No Yes No

Q3. In terms of diameter, which is bigger? Venus or Earth?

Tip:
• Rows color coded to indicate relationship.

Terrestrial Planets –comparison and brief summary

1. Venus, Earth, and Mars are part of the inner terrestrial or "rocky" planets. Their composition and densities
are not too different from each other.
2. Venus is considered to be the Earth's twin planet. It has a very similar size and mass with the Earth. Mars
is about half the Earth's size.
3. Orbital period and velocity are related to the planet's distance from the sun. Among the three planets,
Venus is the nearest and Mars is the farthest from the Sun.
4. Rotational speed of Earth and Mars are very similar. Rotational speed of Venus is extremely slow.
5. There is recent evidence that liquid water, in the form of brine (salty water) flows intermittently on the
surface of Mars.
6. The ability of a planet to retain its internal heat is proportional to its size. Mars may have lost much of its
internal heat very early in its evolution.
7. The Earth's magnetic field is believed to be the consequence of the presence of a solid metallic inner core
and a liquid metallic outer core.

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8. A planet's temperature is a function of distance from the Sun but is modified by the amount of greenhouse
warming.
9. Length of day - a function of rotational speed.
10. Internal heat drives plate tectonics. The ability of a planet to maintain internal heat is related to size.

Table 2. Factors that make a Planet Habitable

Factors that make a
Not Enough of the Factor Just Right Too Much of the Factor Situation in the Solar System
Planet Habitable
Temperature Low temperatures cause Life seems to be limited At about 125oC, protein and Surface: only the Earth’s surface is in
influences how quickly chemicals to react slowly, to a temperature range of carbohydrate molecules, and this temperature range. Subsurface:
atoms and molecules which interferes with the -15oC to 115oC. In this range, the genetic material (e.g., DNA the interior of the solid planets and
move. reactions necessary for life. liquid water can still exist under and RNA) start to break apart. moons may be in this temperature
It can also cause the freezing of certain conditions. Also, high temperatures cause range.
water, making liquid water the quick evaporation of water.
unavailable.
Atmosphere Small planets and moons Earth & Venus are the Venus’s atmosphere is 100 Of the solid planets & moons, only
Traps heat, shields the have insufficient gravity to right size to hold a times thicker than Earth’s. It is Earth, Venus, & Titan have
surface from harmful hold an atmosphere. The sufficient-sized made almost entirely of significant atmospheres. Mars’
radiation, and provides gas molecules escape to atmosphere. Earth’s greenhouse gasses, making atmosphere is about 1/100th that of
chemicals needed for life, space, leaving the planet or atmosphere is about 100 the surface too hot for life. The Earth’s, too small for significant
such as nitrogen and moon without an insulating miles thick. It keeps the four giant planets are insulation or shielding.
carbon dioxide. blanket or a protective surface warm & protects it completely made of gas.
shield. from radiation & small- to
medium-sized meteorites.
Energy When there is too little With a steady input of Light energy is a problem if it Surface: The inner planets get too
Organisms use light or sunlight or too few of the either light or chemical makes a planet too hot or if much sunlight for life. The outer
chemical energy to run chemicals that provide energy, cells can run the there are too many harmful planets get too little.
their life processes. energy to cells, such as iron chemical reactions rays, such as ultraviolet. Too Sub-surface: Most solid planets &
or sulfur, organisms die. necessary for life. many energy-rich chemicals are moons have energy-rich chemicals.
not a problem
Nutrients Without chemicals to All solid planets & moons Too many nutrients are not a Surface: Earth has a water cycle, an
Used to build and Make proteins & have the same general problem. However, too active a atmosphere, and volcanoes to
maintain an organism’s carbohydrates, organisms chemical makeup, so circulation system, such as the circulate nutrients. Venus, Titan, Io,
body. cannot grow. Planets nutrients are present. constant volcanism on Jupiter’s and Mars have nutrients and ways to
without systems to deliver Those with a water cycle moon, Io, or the churning circulate them to organisms. Sub-
nutrients to its organisms or volcanic activity can atmospheres of the gas planets, surface: Any planet or moon with
(e.g., a water cycle or transport and replenish interferes with an sub-surface water or molten rock can
volcanic activity) cannot the chemicals required by organism’s ability to get circulate and replenish nutrients for
support life. Also, when living organisms. enough nutrients. organisms
nutrients are spread so thin
that they are hard to obtain,
such as on a gas planet, life
cannot exist.

Factors that make a Planet Habitable

1. Abundance of liquid water on Earth, hence the blue color. The Earth is a habitable planet. Water - in the
liquid form, turns out to be one of the most important prerequisites for life as we know it.
2. Planets should have sufficient size to hold a significant atmosphere. The composition of the atmosphere,
specifically the amount of greenhouse gases, influences the planet surface temperature.
3. The amount of solar radiation that a planet receives is primarily a function of distance from the sun.
Sunlight is essential for photosynthesis but some organisms are able to extract energy from other sources
(chemosynthetic organisms).
4. A system that will be able to constantly supply nutrients to organisms is important to sustain life. On Earth,
nutrients are cycled through the hydrologic cycle and plate tectonics (volcanism)
5. The greenhouse effect is not necessarily undesirable. It is run-away greenhouse effect which we would like
to avoid (e.g. Venus).

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Earth’s Atmosphere
The atmosphere consists of 78.1% nitrogen, 20.9% oxygen, 0.9%
argon, 350 ppm carbon dioxide, and other components.

The table below shows the major components in the atmosphere

and their relative concentrations.

The presence of oxygen and carbon dioxide permits life on Earth.

Carbon dioxide is used by photosynthetic organisms, such as plants
and algae, to convert the energy from the sun to usable energy
through the process of photosynthesis. The oxygen makes it livable
for living organisms including humans for respiration and for our cells to function.

Earth’s atmosphere also protects us from the sun’s radiation. Thirty percent of the radiation is reflected
away by the atmosphere, clouds, and the earth's surface. Another 25% is absorbed by the atmosphere and
clouds, and the remaining 45% is absorbed by the earth’s surface. Ozone or (O3) is composed of three oxygen
atoms. In the stratosphere, (O3) is abundant in the form of the ozone layer. This layer absorbs the ultraviolet
wavelengths, and the absorption of this radiation heats up the air.

Soil and Vegetation

The soil is a mixture of minerals, water, air, organic matter, and organisms. It is a living medium—a medium
for growth of all kinds of vegetation. The soil promotes growth for plants by providing nutrients, water, and as
a substrate for anchorage of roots. In return, vegetation produces trees and forests cover, ensures the water
and nutrient cycle, and prevents soil and wind erosion. This mutual relationship of the soil and vegetation
makes our planet livable.

Earth’s Hydrosphere
The hydrosphere contains all the water on our planet including ice and vapor. Nearly three-quarters of the
earth’s surface is the sea and the ocean. The ocean houses many species of marine life and diverse mineral
resources. Other forms of water include river, streams, and lakes. Other than being a water reservoir, these
forms of water are all sources of fish and shellfish that we consume. They also serve as thermostat and heat
reservoir, especially the ocean. They also serve as ways for transportation.

Refer to Table 2. for factors that make a planet habitable.

Q3. What are the factors that make a planet habitable? Briefly discuss each factor.
Q4. What is the consequence if there was not GHG effect?
Q5. What would be the consequence if the global magnetic field of the Earth suddenly weakens?

Activity 2. Interstellar Crash Landing

• Imagine yourselves in an interstellar voyage. Your spaceship suffers mechanical problems and will be forced
to land. Fortunately you are passing through the YanibSystem, which is composed of a sun-like star
surrounded by seven planets, some of which have moons .

• The profiles of planets and moons of the Yanib System are listed on Table 3. You are to decide the best
place to land their ship.

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• Write down on your activity notebook your choice of planet or moon. Give your reasons for your choice
and should also be written down. Reasons why you did not choose the other planets should also be
included.
Table 3. Profiles of Planets and Moons of Yanib System.
Planet 1 (closet to the star) Planet 2 Planet 3 Planet 4
Mass: 1.5 (Earth = 1) Mass: 0.5 Mass: 1 Mass: 1.5
Tectonics: Active volcanoes Tectonics: No activity Tectonics: Active volcanoes Tectonics: Active volcanoes
and seismic activity detected detected and seismic activity and seismic activity detected
Atmosphere: CO2, N, and Atmosphere: Thin CO2 detected. Atmosphere: N, O2, and
H20 atmosphere Atmosphere: CO2, H2O ozone layer
Ave. Temperature: 651oC detected Temperature: 30 OC Average Temperature: 2oC
Description: Thick clouds Average Temperature: 10oC Description: Liquid water Description: Cold oceans,
surround the planet. No Description: Polar ice caps, oceans cover much of the covered with ice along much
surface is visible through the dry riverbeds surface. Volcanic island of the globe, some open
clouds. chains make up most of the water around equator
dry land.
Planet 5 Planet 6 Planet 7 (furthest from the star)
Gas Giant with one large Gas giant with four large, Gas giant with two large moons.
moon. rocky satellites (moons). Moon 1: Thick methane atmosphere with pressure high enough to
Moon: Sulfur dioxide (SO2) Moons have no appreciable keep a potential methane ocean liquid underneath.
atmosphere. Many volcanoes atmosphere. Ice detectable Temperature: -200 oC
and hot springs on surface. on one. Moon 2: Covered in water ice. Ice appears cracked and re-frozen in
Temperatures in hot spots parts, indicating a potential liquid ocean underneath.
can be up to 600oC. Other Surface temperature -100 oC.
spots away from volcanic
heat can get as low in
temperature as 145oC.

your mind
Terraforming Mars
Q6. Write a 200-word report/essay on the following topic: ‘Can man alter Mars environment to make it more
suitable for human habitation? How?’

Tip:
• To terraform means to transform another planet to resemble the Earth in several aspects, specifically the
ability to support life.

I need to explore!

Q7. Imagine that you have a garden. Get one plant that could fit in a pot but do not put soil when you transfer
it. Put the plant inside a box and leave it for one week. What do you think will happen to the plant? How
would you relate this scenario with the different characteristics of the Earth?

I should try it!

Q8. Research about the characteristics of other planets in the Solar System which make them unfit for growth
and life.

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What do I think?

Q8. Are the characteristics of the earth interrelated with one another? If yes, how do they affect each other?

• The atmosphere consists of 78.1% nitrogen, 20.9% oxygen, 0.9% argon, 350 ppm carbon dioxide, and
other components.
• The presence of oxygen and carbon dioxide makes Earth habitable.
• Earth’s atmosphere also protects us from the sun’s radiation.
• The soil is a living medium—a medium for growth of all kinds of vegetation.
• The hydrosphere serves as a water reservoir, a source of fish and shellfish that we consume, a thermostat
and heat reservoir, and a way for transportation.

How much I have learned?

The following questions will determine how much you have learned from the module.

Posttest
Essay
1. Identify similarities and differences among the three planets, namely Venus, Earth, and Mars.
2. Explain the impact of planet size to gravity, internal heat, and atmosphere of the planet.
3. Identify factors that influence a planet's temperature.
4. Explain factors that make a planet habitable.
5. Explain why the presence of liquid water is important to life.

References and Links

(1) [Link] (accessed: June 17, 2020)
(2) [Link] (accessed: June
17, 2020)
(3) [Link] (accessed: June 17, 2020)
(4) [Link] (accessed: June 17, 2020)
(5) [Link] (accessed: June 17, 2020)
(6) [Link] (accessed: June 17, 2020)
(7) [Link] (accessed: June 17, 2020)
(8) [Link] (accessed: June 17, 2020)

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(9) [Link] (accessed: June 17, 2020)

(10) Table 3 Profiles of Planets and Moons of Yanib System. Modified from:
[Link]
(11) Earth and Life Science TG pp. 31-49

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K to 12 – Senior High School Core Subject