DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

REGION III
Schools Division of Cabanatuan City
Maharlika Highway, Cabanatuan City

The Characteristics of Earth That Are

Necessary to Support Life

EARTH SCIENCE

SELF-LEARNING MODULE

Writer: ROMIZZELLE G. PEÑAFIEL

(Master Teacher II, Cabanatuan City Senior High School)

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LEARNING RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT SECTION SHS 1
Project EL AR: Enhance Learning thru Adequate Resources
 GUIDE FOR THE LEARNER, PARENTS,
GUARDIANS AND LEARNING FACILITATOR

To You, Learner:

Welcome to Earth Science Grade 11 Self-Learning Module (SLM) on The Characteristics of Earth That
Are Necessary to Support Life! This module was made to give you with fun and meaningful time for guided
and independent learning at your convenience. You will be able to process the contents of this Module
while being an active learner.

To You, Parent/s, Guardian/s and Learning Facilitator/s:

This Module was collaboratively developed and reviewed by the teachers, school heads and
supervisors of DepEd Division of Cabanatuan City to assist you in helping the learners meet the standards
set by the K to 12 Curriculum while overcoming their different constraints in schooling. As a facilitator, you
are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module. You also need to keep track of the learners'
progress while allowing them to manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage
and assist the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

This Module is about the different features of the earth that allows life to exist. Students will learn
what makes the earth as a perfect location for life and what essential factors are needed to sustain life.

2 OBJECTIVES
1. Identify the characteristics of Earth that are necessary to support life.
2. Explain that Earth is the perfect location for life to exist.

COMPETENCY

The learners describe the characteristics of Earth that are necessary to support life.
S11/12ES-Ia-b-3

WHAT DO YOU ALREADY KNOW? 3

 Pre-Test: Read each question carefully, and then CIRCLE THE ANSWER
that best corresponds the question.

1. What is the Earth's ordinal number in relation to its distance from the sun?
A. First B. Second C. Third D. Fourth
2. What is temperature?
A. Measure of how big or small B. Measure of how fast or slow
C. Measure of how high or low D. Measure of how hot or cold
3. What is a solvent?
A. Substance that does the dissolving
B. Substance that is being dissolved
C. Substance that transports materials
D. Substance that removes toxins
4. Which substance is called the universal solvent?
A. Acetone B. Alcohol C. Milk D. Water
5. TRUE or FALSE: Water provides efficient way in transferring substances into and out of the cell.
A. True B. False
6. What percentage of the earth's atmosphere does oxygen comprise?
A. 97 B. 78 C. 40 D. 21
7. What gas makes up the majority of our atmosphere?
A. Argon B. Carbon C. Nitrogen D. Oxygen
8. TRUE or FALSE: Sun is the primary source for almost every form of energy that we use on Earth.
A. True B. False
9. What do you call the chemical compounds needed by the living organisms to function and maintain
health?
A. Minerals B. Nutrients C. Vitamins D. Proteins
10. TRUE or FALSE: Plants and animals derive nutrients from soil.
A. True B. False

4 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Why Earth is a Habitable Planet

Earth is the third planet from the sun in our Solar System that is known to sustain life. It has
the right distance from the sun, thus, not too hot and not too cold, allowing liquid water to exist on
the surface. This is known as the “Goldilocks” Principle. The balance of temperature and the right
chemical components make Earth habitable.

https://www.needpix.com/photo/1684290/solar-system-planet-universe-orbit-parade-of-the-planets

Earth, the “Goldilocks” Planet

Temperature

One of the most significant factors in making Earth habitable is its right distance from
the Sun, being not too close or too far. It enables the Earth to maintain a stable average
temperature, allowing liquid water to exist on the surface and making conditions favorable to life.

According to NASA the average surface temperature on Earth is approximately 14°C. It varies
depending on various factors such as the time of day, the time of year and the place where the
measurements are being recorded.

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 Water

Various chemical properties make water indispensable for living creatures. It dissolves more
substance than any other liquid, hence, often referred as the universal solvent. Due to its remarkable
dissolving property, it is perfect medium for transporting substances to and from a cell.

An additional feature of water is its presence in all three phases (solid, liquid and gas)
providing several opportunities for diverse ecosystems.

Atmosphere

Earth’s atmosphere is a layer of gases that surrounds the planet making life possible. It
contains 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.97% argon and carbon dioxide, and 0.04% trace amounts of
other gases.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Atmosphere.png

The atmosphere protects the life on earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet solar radiation
and reduce extreme temperature. It also regulates the balance of water, and oxygen and carbon
dioxide.

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Sun

Sun

The sun provides energy for most living things on Earth allowing life to exist. It radiates light
and heat, or solar energy. It is where producers (plants) obtain energy to create energy-rich organic
compounds through the process of photosynthesis.

The sun’s gravity also keeps Earth in place in its orbit. It regulates Earth’s climate system such
as stirring the atmosphere and creating weather patterns.

Nutrients

Nutrients are chemical substances necessary for the survival of living organisms. It includes
carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water. They provide energy, materials
required for growth and repair of tissues, and substances needed to regulate life processes.

Producers such as plants and other autotrophs absorb nutrients from soil to synthesize their
own food and also provide energy for the consumers (animals, bacteria and fungi).

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nutrient_cycle.jpg

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED? 7

 Post-Test: Read each question carefully, and then CIRCLE THE ANSWER
that best corresponds the question.

1. Which is the third planet nearest to the sun?

A. Earth B. Mars C. Mercury D. Venus
2. What is the average temperature on the Earth’s surface?
A. 0 oC B. 14 oC C. 37 oC D. 100 oC
3. Why is water called the universal solvent?
A. Because it can exist in all three phases
B. Because it is very efficient in regulating temperatures
C. Because it is capable of dissolving more than any other liquids
D. All of the choices
4. TRUE or FALSE: Water can transport chemical substances and toxic materials in and out of the cells.
A. True B. False
5. TRUE or FALSE: Water exists in all three phases providing a diversity of habitats for organism to live.
A. True B. False
6. What do you call the layers of gases that surrounds the Earth?
A. Atmosphere B. Biosphere
C. Hydrosphere D. Geosphere
7. What percentage of the earth's atmosphere does nitrogen comprise?
A. 97 B. 78 C. 40 D. 21
8. TRUE or FALSE: Sun is the primary source of energy of both plants and animals.
A. True B. False
9. What do you call the process whereby plants obtain energy from the sun to create their own food?
A. Metabolism B. Photosynthesis
C. Respiration D. Transpiration
10. What are autotrophs?
A. Organisms that can make their own food
B. Organisms that cannot make their own food
C. Organisms that consume plants
D. Organisms that consume animals

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ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY 1
Activity “A Perfect Package”

1. In this activity, the students will have an opportunity to develop their ideas on how various
characteristics of Earth are interrelated and contribute to the sustainability of life on earth.
2. Ask the students to discuss and provide explanation on the connection of Earth’s characteristics.
3. Learners should elaborate on their responses.

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY 2 9
Activity “Earth’s Twin”

Venus Earth

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/5_Terrestrial_planets_size_comparison.png

1. In this activity, the students will compare the features of Venus and Earth to better understand
why Earth is the most suitable habitation for human.
2. Ask the learners to write down on a piece the similarities and differences between the two
planets using the information provided below.
3. Explain why Earth and Venus called twins.

Comparison of Venus and Earth

(European Space Agency)

Venus Earth
Mass 4.87 x 1024 kg 5.98 x 1024 kg
Radius 6052 km 6378 km
Density 5250 kg/m3 5520 kg/m3
Av. distance from Sun 108 million km 150 million km
Rotation period (day) 243 Earth days (retrograde) 23 hours 56 minutes
Orbit period (year) 224.7 Earth days 365.2 days
Surface temp. (mean) 465 °C 15 °C
Surface pressure 90 bar 1 bar (sea level)
Albedo (reflectivity) 0.76 0.37
Highest point on surface Maxwell Montes Mount Everest
(17 km) (8.8 km)
Atmosphere 96% CO2 , 3% N2 78% N2 , 21% O2, 1% Ar
Surface composition Basalt rock, altered materials Basalt, granite, altered materials
Orbit inclination 3.4° 0° by definition
Obliquity of axis 178° 23.5°
Surface gravity (equator) 8.9 m/s2 9.8 m/s2
Moons None 1 (The Moon)

10 ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY 3
Activity “My Planet”

1. This activity requires students utilize key concepts learned from the lesson to create their own
planet. Encourage students to be creative.
2. Students will create a model to illustrate and explain the features of their planet.
3. A few questions to answer and to include in your presentation:
a. What will be the name of your planet?
b. What will it be made of?
c. Will your planet have a moon/s?
d. How long will it take to orbit the sun?
e. What type of landforms, bodies of water, animals, and vegetation will there be?
f. Discuss the climate system and weather patterns of your planet.

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Post-Test Pre-Test
1. A 1. C
2. B 2. D
3. C 3. A
4. A 4. D
5. A 5. A
6. A 6. D
7. B 7. C
8. B 8. A
9. B 9. B
10. A 10. B
ANWER KEYS
 REFERENCES

Online Sources

1. Earth's atmosphere. (n.d.). Retrieved June 11, 2020, from

https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/earth's_atmosphere.htm
2. Ghose, T. (2015, September 29). Why Is Water So Essential for Life? Retrieved June 10, 2020, from
https://www.livescience.com/52332-why-is-water-needed-for-life.html
3. Goldilocks and the Three Bears. (n.d.). Retrieved June 10, 2020, from
https://americanliterature.com/childrens-stories/goldilocks-and-the-three-bears
4. Linkenhoker, E. (2019, March 02). Three Ways That the Atmosphere Helps Living Things Survive on
Earth. Retrieved June 11, 2020, from https://sciencing.com/three-living-things-survive-earth-
8632405.html
5. Lunar and Planetary Institute. (n.d.). Factors that Contribute to Making a Planet Habitable. Retrieved
June 10, 2020, from https://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore/our_place/hab_ref_table.pdf
6. National Geographic Society. (2012, October 09). Nutrient. Retrieved June 11, 2020, from
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/nutrient/
7. National Geographic Society. (2012, October 15). The Power of the Sun. Retrieved June 11, 2020,
from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/power-sun/
8. Staff, S. (2014, March 19). The Goldilocks principle: New hypothesis explains Earth's continued
habitability. Retrieved June 10, 2020, from https://phys.org/news/2014-03-goldilocks-principle-
hypothesis-earth-habitability.html
9. Venus compared to Earth. (n.d.). Retrieved June 24, 2020, from
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Venus_Express/Venus_compared_to_Earth
10. Why is the Earth habitable? AMNH. (n.d.). Retrieved June 10, 2020, from
https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent/planet-earth/why-is-the-earth-habitable
11. Williams, M. (2016, July 26). What is the Earth's Average Temperature? Retrieved June 10, 2020, from
https://www.universetoday.com/55043/earths-temperature/

Royalty-Free Pictures and Illustrations

1. https://www.needpix.com/photo/1684290/solar-system-planet-universe-orbit-parade-of-the-
planets Retrieved June 10, 2020
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Atmosphere.png Retrieved June 10, 2020
3. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nutrient_cycle.jpg Retrieved June 10, 2020
4. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/5_Terrestrial_planets_size_comparison.p
ng Retrieved June 23, 2020

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 The Characteristics of Earth That Are
Necessary to Support Life

This Module is about the different characteristics of the Earth that enable life to exist. Students will
learn what makes the world a perfect place to live, and what conditions are required to sustain life. At the
end of the lesson, learners should be able to describe the characteristics of Earth that are necessary to
support life.

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Region 3 Division of Cabanatuan City