Uniqueness of the Earth Flashcards
minimum speed an object needs to escape a planet’s pull of gravity.
Escape velocity
Surface pressure
atmospheric pressure at a location on the surface of the planet. It is
proportional to the mass of air above the location.
this would be the temperature of the planet without the warming effect of greenhouse gases. Note that the temperature of the Earth would be approximately
18 degree Celsius lower without greenhouse warming
Temperature if no GHG
a function of rotational speed.
Length of day
believed to be the consequence of the presence of a solid
metallic inner core and a liquid metallic outer core.
Earth’s magnetic field
The ability of a planet to retain its internal heat is ____ to its size
pportional
____, _____, and _____ are part of the inner terrestrial or “rocky” planets. Their
composition and densities are not too different from each other.
Venus, Earth, and Mars
considered to be the Earth’s twin planet
Venus
half the Earth’s size.
Mars
1)_____is the nearest and 2)____ is the farthest from the Sun.
1) Venus 2) Mars
5 FACTORS THAT MAKE A PLANET HABITABLE
TEMPERATURE
WATER
ATMOSPHERE
NUTRIENTS
ENERGY
in the liquid form, turns out to be one of the most important prerequisites for life as we
know it.
Water
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.
Thermophiles
The ____ that allows water to exist in the liquid state is the over-riding factor.
TEMPERATURE RANGE
The composition of the
atmosphere, specifically the amount of greenhouse gases, influences the _______
planet surface temperature
