Weekly module

Week 3
Earth Science Grade 11
King Thomas Learning Academy Inc.

Module 3 Suggested time allotment 60 minutes

EARTH: THE LIVING PLANET

LEARNING OUTCOME
Describe the characteristics of Earth that are necessary to support life.

Preliminary activity
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?

Review

Measured edge to edge, the universe as we know it stretches some 93 billion light-years across. That
unfathomable expanse contains 2 trillion galaxies, each shining with millions of stars and dotted with more
planets than you can imagine.

Are we alone in the universe? What’s your view, based on the evidence? Justify your answer

Glossary of terms
Let’s learn about it!

Content material:
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).
 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 liveable 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 liveable.
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.
Q1. What are the factors that make a planet habitable? Briefly discuss each factor.
Q2. 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?

THE EARTH THAT SUPPORT LIFE

 Earth is one of the planets in the solar system. Living things, from the simplest microorganism to
most complex human beings, thrive on Earth.

 Earth possesses characteristics that make it capable of supporting life. Earth has water and
atmosphere, which both are essential to life.

 Plate tectonic also plays a role in recycling the molecules of different substances and distributing
them to all parts of the planet. Earth also its source of energy. Without energy, life cannot exist.

 Earth is one of the planets in the solar system. Living things, from the simplest microorganisms to
the most complex human beings, thrive on Earth.

Water is essential to life

 Water is also, perhaps, the most important ingredient for most cellular processes, such as the
metabolism of sugar and protein synthesis.
 Water is an effective solvent. It is oftentimes referred to as the universal solvent because it is
capable of dissolving many substances, and these substances are then easily absorbed by living
organism.

Earth’s atmosphere is also an important factor in making Earth ideal planet to host life.
 It contains gases that are essential for sustaining life.
 One of these gases is oxygen, which is constantly replenished into the atmosphere by plants.
 Earth’s atmosphere also contains a small amount of carbon dioxide, which helps to moderate the
planet’s temperature. It is also used by plants during photosynthesis to produce glucose.
 Nitrogen, another gas in the atmosphere, is an important part of DNA that carries genetic
instructions, and likewise, it is also found in amino acids, the building blocks of protein.

Energy is needed for life.

 Without energy, the processes of life would not happen. The source of Earth’s energy is the Sun.
 Because of the Earth’s ideal distance from the Sun, it receives the right amount of heat and light to
support life.
  Sunlight helps plants produce nutrients through photosynthesis. These nutrients provide energy to
living things.
 Some organisms rely on other sources of energy such as chemicals from deep water vents,
making it possible for life to exist even at the bottom of the ocean.

pEarth’s composition.
Element oxygen alone found in earth’s crust.
However, other life elements are found in atmosphere and water. Make amino acids building blocks of
protein. Other elements (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, etc.\

I need to explore

Research about the characteristics of other planets in the Solar System which make them unfit for
growth and life.
1. Does earth have a magnetic field to protect and support life?

1.
1. Explain factors that make a planet habitable.
2. Explain why the presence of liquid water is important to
life.

Essay: Answer the following questions. 5pts each.

1. What are the composition of planet earth?

2. What are the four elements vital for life?
3. Is earth’s orbit suitable?
4. What are the different factors that allow Earth to support life?
 Weekly module
Week 4
Earth Science Grade 11
King Thomas Learning Academy Inc.

Module 4 Suggested time allotment 60 minutes

EARTH: System

LEARNING OUTCOME
Explain the Earth consists of four subsystem, across which boundaries matter and energy flow

Let’s Play! Play the game, 4pics, and 1word. Guess the Central idea behind the four pictures.
Game- 4pics, 1
word

____________ ____________

Review

1. Why Earth is called a Blue Planet?

2. What makes a system work?

Content material:

EARTH SYSTEMS
The Earth consists of four major spheres. The atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.
These spheres are called Earth System.
Components or Subsystems of the Earth System

HYDROSPHERE
Earth is known as the “Blue planet” because of its water
component.

Earth is known as the “blue planet” because of its water

component. Water covers almost 71% of Earth’s
surface.

The abundance of water on earth makes it distinct from

the other plants in the solar system.

The oceans are important sinks for CO2 through direct

exchange with the atmosphere and indirectly through the weathering of rocks.
Heat is absorbed and redistributed on the surface of the Earth through ocean circulation.
ATMOSPHERE
 The atmosphere is the thin gaseous layer that envelopes the
lithosphere.
 It is a thin layer but an important part of the planet. This layer
does not only provide the air we breathe and the other gases
that sustain life, but also acts as protective blanket from the
Sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation.
 The present atmosphere is composed of 78% nitrogen (N),
21% oxygen (O2), 0.9% argon , and trace amount of other
gases.

GEOSPHERE
 The solid Earth extends from the surface to the center.
 Geosphere has various surface features like mountains,
valleys, hills, plains, plateaus, volcanoes, and other landforms
which are formed and shape the wind, water, waves, and
glaciers.
 Lithosphere includes the rocks of the crust and mantle, the metallic liquid outer core, and the solid
metallic core.
 Layers of the Earth
 CRUST - (Continental and oceanic)
- It’s the light and very thin skin of the Earth.
- The outermost layer where energy and mineral resources are derived.
 MANTLE- (upper and lower)
- Less dense layer
- Made up of silicate rocks, mostly made of the elements silicon, oxygen, iron, and magnesium.
 CORE – (outer and inner)
- Dense layer
- Strengthens the idea that the Earth’s outer core is molten/liquid.
BIOSPHERE
 The set of all life forms on Earth.
 It covers all ecosystems – from the soil to the rainforest, from
mangroves to coral reefs, and from the plankton-rich ocean
surface to the deep sea

Processes of Flow of Matter in the Earth System

Energy flows

The earth is a vast, complex system powered by two sources of energy: an internal source (the decay of radioactive elements in the

geosphere, which generates geothermal heat) and an external source (the solar radiation received from the Sun); the vast majority of the energy

in the earth system comes from the Sun. Whilst some variations in these two sources occur, their energy supplies are relatively constant and

they power all of the planet's environmental systems. Indeed, energy both drives and flows through environmental systems, and energy

pathways may be highly complex and difficult to identify. For instance, energy may take the form of latent heat which is absorbed or released

when substances change state (for example, between the liquid and gaseous phases). An example of energy flow and transformation through

an ecosystem. Energy is transferred within and between environmental systems in three main ways:

 radiation - this is the process by which energy is transmitted through space, typically in the form of electromagnetic
waves
 convection - this is the physical movement of fluids (such as water or air) that contain energy in the form of heat;
convection does not occur in solids
 conduction - this is the transfer of energy in the form of heat through the substance of a medium (from molecule to
molecule)
 Try it!

From what you have learned in the lecture, do the task below.

Make a concept map to explain the flow of matter and energy in the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and
biosphere.

Assessment
In one whole sheet of paper answer the question briefly. (5pts each)

How do the substances (molecules) in each of the subsystem distributed in all parts of the Earth?

What are the processes that enable the flow of matter on Earth ensures and maintains the harmony of
the four subsystems?

Transfer

Essay: Briefly discuss the question write your answer in one whole sheet of paper.
1. What is the significance of earth system science?
2. Recognize and discuss the scientists who contributed to the understanding of the earth system.
3. Earth support life because of its water and atmosphere. The sun is main source of energy and
plate tectonics recycles the different substances needed life. What will happen if water as one of
the factor that supports life on earth will vanish?