LESSON 1: CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EARTH Flashcards
- Area that’s at the right distance from the sun
- AKA “Habitable zone”
Goldilocks’ zone
- Protects us from harmful UV rays
- Provides warmth (like a blanket)
Ozone Layer
- Deflects Solar flares and solar waves
Magnetic Field
- 3rd planet of the Solar system
- Only habitable planet
- 4.6 million years old
Earth
How far is the Solar system from the Galactic core?
30 000 light years
How does our Solar system avoid the dangerous part of our Galaxy (Galactic core)
The solar system’s circular orbit
The galactic core contains the following:
Black holes
What reduces the risks of gravitational tugs, gamma ray Burt’s, an/ or collapsing of stars near the Earth?
Few stars near the Sun
What planet, AKA “Big brother planet” protects the Earth by blocking out incoming debris and sweeping out asteroid vents
Jupiter
- Yellow dwarf
- Type of star that is both small and stable
- Long life expectancy
The Sun
Stars ______ than the sun burn hotter and usually do not live long enough for planets to develop life
more massive
Stars _____ than the Sun are more unstable and prone to Solar blasting
Smaller
How much energy does the Sun provide?
239 trillion horsepower
How far is the Earth from the Sun?
93 million miles
or
150 million Kilometers
What will happen if the Earth is too close to the sun?
- Water will dry up
- Hotter temperature
What will happen if the Earth is too far from the sun?
- Water will solidify/freeze
- Colder temperature
What radioactive elements power a churning core that will last for billions of years
- Uranium
- Potassium
- Thorium
What supports the Magnetic field
The Earth’s dynamic core
What is the reason for a steadier climate on Earth
The moon’s stabilizing effect on our orbit
What happens if the moon becomes closer to the Earth?
would exert more gravitational force, causing huge tides and flooding
What happens if we do not have an ozone layer?
Life cannot grow on heavy ultraviolet radiation
What are the gases found on the Earth’s atmosphere
78% Nitrogen
21% Oxygen
0.9% Argon
Greenhouse gases
- Carbon Dioxide
- Nitrous Oxide
- Methane
What would happen if our atmosphere is thinner
Meteors could enter our planet and cause destruction
Effects of low temperature?
- Chemicals will react slowly
- Water will solidify
Temperature range suitable for life
-15° to 115°
Effects of hotter temperature
- Temperature above 125° will break apart protein and carbohydrate molecules and genetic materials (DNA, RNA)
- Evaporation of water
Effects of having a thinner atmosphere
- Small planets and moons cannot hold an atmosphere due to insufficient gravity
- Gas molecules escape, leaving the planet without insulation or a protective shield
which planet has the right size to hold an atmosphere
Earth and Venus
How thick is the Earth’s atmosphere
100km thick
Effects of having a thicker atmosphere
- Like Venus (100x thicker than Earth) made almost out of greenhouse gases, makes it too hot for life.
- The 4 giant planets are completely made of gas
Effects of having a thicker atmosphere
- Like Venus (100x thicker than Earth) made almost out of greenhouse gases, makes it too hot for life.
- The 4 giant planets are completely made of gas
which planet/moons have significant atmosphere
- Earth
- Venus
- Titan (Saturn’s largest moon)
Effects of having little energy
- Chemicals that provide energy to cells, organisms die
Effects of having too much energy
- Makes the planet too hot
- Produces harmful waves
-Too much energy- rich chemicals is not a problem
Effects of having little nutrients
- Organisms cannot grow
- Lack of systems to deliver nutrients (through water cycles, volcanic activities) life cannot exist
Effects of having too many nutrients
- Not a problem
- Active volcanic activity and churning of atmospheres interferes with organisms to get enough nutrients
What makes the Earth Habitable?
- Location: Far from hazards
- Sun: Stable and long- lasting
- Right distance from the Sun
- Hosts a dynamic core
- Moon: Big enough to support axial wobble
- Ozone Layer
