Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION I
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF CANDON CITY

11
Earth Science

Quarter 1 – Module 1
Life on Earth

Prepared by:

Elsa B. Biswelan
TEACHER III

What is this? Foreword

Module in Earth Science 1
 This module is one of the learning modalities

indicated in the Learning Continuity Plan of DepEd to make

learning happen amidst the pandemic.

This module has cotents similar to the lessons

delivered by the teacher in an online platform. It is also congruent with the

discussions of the teacher via recorded lesson, and forms the same with the

assessment indicated in the learning activity sheets.

For clarity, it makes use of icons that indicate the parts of the module.

These icons mark the stage where the student is in when he makes use of

this module.

The students are advised to ask further questions from the teacher for

guidance and clearer understanding.

It is hoped that this module serves its purpose to ensure that learning

still takes place.

HAPPY Learning 

What to see? Parts and Icons used

Module in Earth Science 2
 Objectives: The MELCs with codes are indicated here

Guide Questions (Formative Assessment):

Questions that will be answered after the student
finishes the module are written here. An activity can also be
indicated here to assess what students know.

Discussion: The topic is presented here in the simplest manner

possible. The discussion must be aligned to the MELCs and
must point out details on how the formative assessment can be
answered.

Examples: Illustrative examples are indicated here to further

explain what is being discussed. At most three examples are
written here.

Exercises: Exercises arranged in order of difficulty are indicated

here. The exercises have 1 item/set each for easy, average,
challenging and enrichment.

Answer Key: This provides the key answers to the exercises

given. The format of the words are inverted

References: The references in Chicago format are listed, as

lifted
from DMOS.

Lesson

1 Life on Earth
Module in Earth Science 3
 Objectives
MELC: Describe the characteristics of earth that are needed to
support life. S11/12ES-Ia-e- 3

Guide Questions (Formative Assessment)

1. What are the characteristics of earth to sustain life?
2. What are the elements on Earth suitable for life?

Discussion
The Earth is around 4.6 billion years old according to
scientists. The Earth’s atmosphere is composed mainly
of nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), argon (.93%), and
carbon dioxide (0.03%). The Earth is the densest
planet in the Solar System. It is the third planet from the Sun and is
the largest of the terrestrial planets. It was formed approximately 4.54
billion years ago .Earth is a terrestrial planet with liquid water covering
roughly 70 percent of its solid surface, that has an atmosphere that
contains both free oxygen and liquid water, key elements needed to
support life.
Earth is the only inner planet in our solar system that has a liquid water on
its surface. Seventy percent of the surface is covered by oceans where
photosynthesis takes place. This makes the ocean the principal life habitat
on earth.
When we heard the term Earth, the first things came up in our mind that
a terrestrial planet where all forms of life: from basic living micro-
organisms to highly sophisticated and intelligent human beings exists. In
this lesson, the characteristics of earth that are responsible for the
existing of life will be discussed in this learning material.

The Four Important Factors which Make Earth Suitable for Life
1. The Distance of the Earth from the Sun
The distance of the Earth from the Sun makes it a perfect reason for the life
because it receives the perfect amount of heat and light to allow life to be
created and to support it. Earth is at the right distance from the Sun, the star it
orbits. If Earth was closer, it would have been too hot for life, and chemical
reactions would be too rapid to control, or wouldn’t happen . Without chemical
Module in Earth Science 4
reaction, nothing would ever change. Atoms would stay atoms. New
molecules would not form. No organism could live.
If the planet earth was more distant, temperatures may have been very low
and it would be too cold for life. the molecules which make up life as we know
it would form very slowly. No organism could live because nothing would ever
change.
The Earth and the Sun are equally important because without the Sun's heat
and light, the Earth would be a lifeless ball of ice-coated rocks. It regulates
the temperature of water bodies, weather patterns and provides energy to the
growth of plants.
Life is limited to a temperature range of -15C to 115C. Because of its distance
from the sun, Earth has a temperature of 0C to 100C, which allows life to
exist.

2. The Light on the Earth

Sunlight is a portion of the electromagnetic radiation given off by the
Sun, in particular infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light. On Earth, sunlight
is scattered and filtered through Earth's atmosphere, and is obvious as
daylight when the Sun is above the horizon. When direct solar radiation
is not blocked by clouds, it is experienced as sunshine, a combination of
bright light and radiant heat. When blocked by clouds or reflected off
other objects, sunlight is diffused.
Sunlight takes about 8.3 minutes to reach Earth from the surface of the Sun.
A photon starting at the center of the Sun and changing direction every time
it encounters a charged particle would take between 10,000 and 170,000
years to get to the surface.
Sunlight is a portion of the electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun, in
particular infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light. On Earth, sunlight is scattered
and filtered through Earth's atmosphere, and is obvious as daylight when the
Sun is above the horizon.
Sunlight is a key factor in photosynthesis, the process used by plants and other
autotrophic organisms to convert light energy, normally from the Sun.into
chemical energy that can be used to synthesize carbohydrates and to fuel the
organisms' activities.
Earth is the only planet that uses the Sun’s light as useful as a source of energy.
That energy is used to convert elements, by living things, into a usable form. A
plant uses the energy provided by the sun to drive photosynthesis and provide
food to grow. As a by-product, oxygen is released which we then use as an
energy source of our own. With a steady input of either light or chemical energy

Module in Earth Science 5

from the sun, cells can perform the chemical reactions necessary for life
(photosynthesis)
The sun is what make the water cycle work. Water cycle is important
because it is how water reaches the plants, animals and human .The heat
from the sun warms the huge air masses that comprise large and small
weather system. The Sun warms our seas, oceans and other water forms
another is sun’s heat, light stirs our atmosphere, The sun also generates
our weather patterns and your body produce Vitamin D naturally when it’s
directly exposed to sunlight.

3. The Earth’s Atmosphere

The presence of an atmosphere makes Earth livable. If Earth had no

atmosphere, it would not have maintained the temperature and gases
necessary for our survival and sustenance. Earth has the right density to
keep its atmosphere; if it was lighter, the atmosphere would have escaped.
Earth's amazing gaseous atmosphere is responsible for making life Our
atmosphere contains water vapor which helps to moderate our daily
temperatures. Our atmosphere contains 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen, and .9%
argon. Which are needed for life.
The Earth has a suitable climate for the existence of all forms of life because
of moderate amount of carbon dioxide, which is the driving factor for the
survival of life forms.
The presence of Ozone Layer in the atmosphere also makes the earth
suitable for life .Low ozone levels are transparent (blue) while high levels are
opaque (white). Ozone (O3) is a relatively unstable molecule made up of three
atoms of oxygen (O). Although it represents only a tiny fraction of the
atmosphere, ozone is crucial for life on Earth.
The ozone layer acts as a filter for the shorter wavelength and highly
hazardous ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun, protecting life on Earth
from its potentially harmful effects. When the sky is clear, there is an inverse
relationship between stratospheric ozone and solar UVR measured at the
Earth's surface.
At that level, ozone helps to protect life on Earth by absorbing ultraviolet
radiation from the sun, particularly UVB radiation that can cause skin cancer
and cataracts, damage crops, and destroy some types of marine life.
4. The Presence of Liquid Water

Module in Earth Science 6

 Water, a substance composed of the chemical elements hydrogen and
oxygen and existing in gaseous, liquid, and solid states. It is one of the most
plentiful and essential of compounds. A tasteless and odorless liquid at room
temperature, it has the important ability to dissolve many other substances.
The earth is covered by three-fourth of the water. 97.3% water is saline or
salty in oceans and seas, 3% is fresh water that consists ice-cap, ground
water, fresh water lakes, inland and salt lakes.
The global water cycle can be described with nine major physical processes
which form a continuum of water movement. Complex pathways include the
passage of water from the gaseous envelope around the planet called the
atmosphere, through the bodies of water on the surface of earth such as the
oceans, glaciers and lakes, and at the same time (or more slowly) passing
through the soil and rock layers underground. Later, the water is returned to
the atmosphere. A fundamental characteristic of the hydrologic cycle is that it
has no beginning an it has no end. It can be studied by starting at any of the
following processes: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, interception,
infiltration, percolation, transpiration, runoff, and storage.
Water is very important for life because it contains the oxygen needed for life
and allows life-providing molecules to move around easily. It continually
changes its form through the water cycle. The process by which water
continually changes its form and circulates between oceans, atmosphere and
land is known as the water cycle. Water allows many reactions and also
works as a universal solvent.
Earth is the only planet which hosts liquid water on its surface, allowing
for a direct transfer of energy from the sun in order for photosynthetic life
forms to evolve.

Factors Not Enough of Just Right Too Much of the Situation in the Solar
that make the Factor Factor System
a Planet
Habitable
Temperature Low Life seems to be At about 125oC, Surface: only the
influences how temperatures limited to a protein and Earth’s surface is in
quickly atoms cause chemicals temperature carbohydrate this temperature
and molecules to react slowly, range of -15oC molecules, and the range. Sub-surface:
Move. genetic material
which interferes to 115oC. In the interior of the
with the reactions this range, (e.g., DNA and solid planets and
necessary for life. liquid water can RNA) start to break moons may be in this
It can also cause still exist under apart. Also, high temperature range.

Module in Earth Science 7

 the freezing of certain temperatures
water, making conditions. cause the quick
liquid water evaporation of
unavailable. water.
Atmosphere Small planets and Earth & Venus Venus’s Of the solid planets &
moons have are the right atmosphere is 100 moons, only Earth,
insufficient size to hold a times thicker than Venus, & Titan have
gravity to hold an sufficient-sized Earth’s. It is made significant
atmosphere. The atmosphere. almost entirely of atmospheres. Mars’
gas molecules Earth’s greenhouse atmosphere is about
escape to space, atmosphere is gasses, making 1/100th that of
the
leaving the about 100 miles surface too hot for Earth’s, too small for
planet or moon thick. It keeps life. The four giant significant insulation
without an the surface planets are or shielding.
insulating blanket warm & protects completely made
or a protective it from radiation of gas.
shield. & small- to
medium-sized
meteorites.
Table : Factors that make a planet habitable (National Science Foundation, n.d.,)

Examples

The Four Unique Characteristics of the Earth Suitable for

Life

Earth has a temperature of 0C to 100C, which

allows life to exist.

Module in Earth Science 8

 Earth is the only planet that uses the Sun’s
light to allow life.

The Earth’s Atmosphere contain gaseous

needed for Life.

The Earth is the only planet which hosts

liquid water on its surface which is necessary
for life.

Exercises # 1

FACT or BLUFF

Direction: Write FACT if the statement is correct and BLUFF if the statement
is wrong. Write your answer in the spaces provided.

1.________ The earth is the third planet from the sun.

2. ________The earth is the known planet to support life.

3. ________ Plant uses the sunlight to drive photosynthesis.

4._________The atmosphere contains water vapor to moderate daily

temperature.
5. ________The ozone layer is situated in the stratosphere.

Module in Earth Science 9

 6. ________The water contains oxygen needed for life.

7.________ The atmosphere contains 70% oxygen needed for life.

8. ________ The earth is the least dense planet in the solar system.
_
9. _______ The earth is the only planet which host liquid water on its
surface.
10._______ The The earth’s ozone layer is healing itself due to
coronavirus.

Module in Earth Science 10

Exercises # 1

LIFE ON EARTH

Direction: Write some important characteristics of earth

which make life possible on earth.

Exercises # 1

PHOTO ESSAY
Module in Earth Science 11
Direction: Make a narrative paragraph in 50 words to describe the picture
below.

Exercise # 4

WORD ESSAY WRITING

Direction: Read the questions carefully and answer
accordingly.

Module in Earth Science 12

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
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
____
______________________________________________________________
Answer Key

I. Exercise # 1
1. Fact
2. Fact
Module in Earth Science 13
3. Fact
4. Fact
5. Fact
6. Fact
7. Bluff
8. Bluff
9. Fact
10. Fact
References
Montana State University. (n.d.). Interstellar Real Estate - Defining the Habitable Zone.
Retrieved
from https://btc.montana.edu/ceres/html/ Habitat/habitablezone.htm
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2015). Planetary Fact Sheet. Retrieved from
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/
National Science Foundation. (n.d.). Crash Landing! Student Activity Sheet.
Retrieved from http://www.voyagesthroughtime.org/planetary/
sample/lesson5/pdf/5_3_1sas_crashland.pdf
National Science Foundation. (n.d.). Goldilocks and the Three Planets. Retrieved from
http://www.voyagesthroughtime.org/planetary/sample/ lesson5/pdf/goldilocks.pdf
National Science Foundation. (n.d.). Lesson 5: Activity 3: Habitable Worlds.
Retrieved from http://www.voyagesthroughtime.org/planetary/ sample/lesson5/z_act3.htm
https://btc.montana.edu/ceres/html/Habitat/habitablezone.htm
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet

Module in Earth Science 14