1. The Conditions For Life On Earth Flashcards
What 8 factors make earth habitable?
- Earth’s mass
- Contains water
- Distance from the sun
- Axis of rotation
- Earth’s magnetic field
- Insolation
- Speed of rotation
- Atmospheric gases
How does the mass of the Earth make it habitable?
The mass of the earth gives it a gravitational pull and draws in gases, creating an atmosphere. It also allows there to be atmospheric pressure.
How does Earths ability to contain water make it habitable?
Water is needed for biological reactions. The mass of the earth allows there to be atmospheric pressure, without this pressure, any water on earth would boil. Water is transparent so plants can still photosynthesise while using it.
How does Earths distance from the sun make it habitable?
The distance from the sun allows the earth to receive the right amount of light and is the perfect temperature.
How far away is the earth from the sun?
The earth is 150,000,000km from the sun
How does Earths axis of rotation make it habitable?
The axis of rotation creates different seasons throughout the year/creates seasonality).
What angle does the earth orbit the sun?
Earth orbits the sun at an angle of 23.45°C
How does Earths magnetic field make it habitable?
Earths magnetic field reflects harmful rays
Where does the earths magnetic field come from?
The molten core if the earth produces an electrical current due to the differences in temperature between the corr and the mantle, this electrical current is magnetism. This magnetism generates an electrical current, which continues to incite magnetism and so on…
What compounds existed in earths early atmosphere? (3)
- Carbon dioxide
- Ammonia
- Methane
What is the goldilocks zone?
Tje habitable region in the solar system where planets are the perfect distance from the sun.
Why is the speed of rotation significant for life?
It gives each area of the earth an equal amount of sunlight
What is insolation
Insolation is the amount of the suns energy reaching earth at a particular time and place. A materials albedo tells us how well it reflects the suns energy.
How long ago was the Earth formed and how?
The earth was formed about 4.6 billion years ago as gravity pulled rock fragments in space together. The huge amount of energy absorbed as the rocks joined, created heat and produced a ball of molten rock. The surface gradually cooled to produce a surface crust of solid rock.
Why is solar insulation important for allowing life to develop on earth? (2)
Sunlight provides the energy for photosynthesis
The heat produced by the absorption of sunlight provides the energy that drives the water cycle and warms the earths surface and the oceans.
