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Fig. 1: Earth as the only known habitable planet in the Solar System
(https://freerangestock.com/photos/49399/human-eye-with-planet-earth-reflected.html)
INTRODUCTION
In your previous study in General Science, you have learned about the different
characteristics of each planet in the solar system. But among these terrestrial and Jovian
planets, how come earth is the only planet in the solar system with properties necessary to
support life?
Earth, the planet where we live in, is the perfect place for life according to National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 2019. It is the fifth largest planet in the solar
system which has solid and active features (e.g. mountains, valleys, canyons, plains) and is
covered with 70% water in its surface. Our home planet is sustaining life for many years and
yet, humans continuously impact the environment negatively. Truth be told, how can humans
appreciate things if they could not see its worth?
This module will explain how earth is capable of supporting life, its difference to
neighboring planets and factors that make it the only habitable planet in the solar system.
Learning Targets
General Objective
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to
• recognize the uniqueness of Earth, being the only planet in the solar system with
properties necessary to support life. (S11/12ES-Ia-e- 3).
Specific Objectives
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Try this!
True or False. Read each statement carefully. Write TRUE if it is correct, write FALSE if
incorrect. Answer this on a separate sheet of paper.
_______1. Venus, Earth and Mars are part of the inner “rocky” planets.
_______2. Mars is considered to be earth’s twin planet.
_______3. Rotational speed of Venus is extremely slow.
_______4. Water is one of the most important prerequisites of life.
_______5. Earth and Mars are the right size to hold a sufficient-sized atmosphere.
_______6. Mars is denser compared to Venus
_______7. The terrestrial planets get too much sunlight for life while the Jovian planets get too
little.
_______8. Atmosphere is important to the existence of organisms because it contains gases
such as carbon dioxide and oxygen which are very useful for organisms’ growth and survival.
_______9. Hydrosphere aid in the proliferation of life because it serves as ways for
transportation and it protects us from the sun’s radiation.
_______10. Presence of water, breathable atmosphere and energy from the sun are the only
requirements for a planet to be habitable.
Do this!
Instruction: Read the clues, guess the planet that is being asked then fit the names into the
grid. One letter per square only. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
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ACROSS
3. Named after the Roman god of commerce,
travel and thievery
5. Named after the Roman god of War
8. Named after the Roman god of the Sea
DOWN
1. Named after the ancient Greek deity of the
Heavens, the earliest supreme god
2. Named after the Roman goddess of love and
beauty
4. Named after the Roman god of agriculture
6. The only planet whose English name does not
derive from Greek/Roman mythology
7. Named after the King of the Gods in Roman
mythology
All of the planets have received its name due to its size, surface color, rotation and
revolution speed, and many more distinct characteristics that suits their given name well
(NASA – StarChild, 2002). Why, among these planets, earth is the only planet suitable for
habitation?
For you to understand more, let us try to unlock the important characteristics of Earth
by comparing it to its neighboring planets – Venus and Mars!
Explore!
Activity #1. Compare and Contrast. Similarities and differences of Venus, Earth and Mars.
Guide questions:
1. Does planet size affect gravity?
2. Why do you think Venus has the highest mean temperature among the three planets?
3. Is presence of water a primary factor for a planet to sustain life? Why or why not?
4. Based on your observations using table 2, what are the notable features that makes the
earth the only habitable planet among the three terrestrial planets?
5. What conclusions can you make?
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Table 1: Venus, Earth & Mars Comparison (modified activity from Earth and Life Science Teaching Guide;
definition of terms from https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/planetfact_notes.html#mass)
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Mass is how much matter the object contains. It is different from weight (W) because an
object's weight is dependent on its mass (m) and how strongly gravity (g) pulls on it (W = mg).
Mass stays the same regardless the location and gravity but weight changes depending on the
planet you are in (NASA, 2020). And this is why scientists often measure an object's mass
rather than its weight.
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Gravity
Gravity is the force by which a planet or other body draws objects toward its center
(NASA,2019). Gravity is what holds the planets in orbit around the sun and what keeps the
moon in orbit around Earth. Earth's gravity, also, is what keeps you on the ground and what
makes things fall.
According to NASA, anything that has mass also has gravity (objects with more mass
have more gravity). Gravity gets weaker with distance. So, the closer objects are to each other,
the stronger their gravitational pull is. Earth's gravity comes from all its mass. All its mass
makes a combined gravitational pull on all the mass in your body. That's what gives you weight.
And if you were on a planet with less mass than Earth, for example Venus and Mars (see Table
1), you would weigh less than you are in here.
Gravity is very important we could not live on Earth without it. It holds down our
atmosphere and the air we need to breath. Gravity is what holds our world together
(NASA,2019).
Atmospheric Pressure
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Mean Temperature
A planet's temperature is a function of distance from the Sun but is modified by the
amount of greenhouse warming. Greenhouse effect is the way in which heat is trapped close
to the surface of the Earth by “greenhouse gases.” (NASA,n.d.). These heat-trapping gases can
be thought of as a blanket wrapped around the Earth. Greenhouse gases include carbon
dioxide, methane and nitrous oxides. Green house effect is not necessarily undesirable. It is
run-away green house effect which we would like to avoid.
Among the three planets being compared, Venus is considered as the hottest planet (not
only among the inner planets but in solar system as a whole). It has thick atmosphere full of
greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide) and clouds made of sulfuric acid that traps heat in a runaway
greenhouse effect making the surface temperatures hot enough to melt lead. Mars, on the
other hand, has very thin atmosphere made of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and argon making it
a dusty, cold desert world. Mean temperatures of Venus (464 oC), Earth (15 oC), and Mars (-65
oC) can drop up to these temperatures [Venus (-46oC), Earth (-18 oC), and Mars (-57 oC)] without
1. TEMPERATURE
Life seems to be limited to a temperature range of -15oC to 115oC. In this range, liquid
water can still exist under certain conditions.
Thermophilic bacteria can tolerate extreme temperatures (41 to 1220C) commonly
associated with hot springs and deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Life, in general can tolerate a
wide range of temperature conditions. The temperature range that allows water to exist in the
liquid state is the over-riding factor.
Situation: Only the earth’s surface is in this temperature range.
2. ATMOSPHERE
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.
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Earth & Venus are the right size to hold a sufficient-sized atmosphere. Earth’s
atmosphere is about 100 miles thick. It keeps the surface warm & protects it from radiation &
small- to medium-sized meteorites.
Situation: Of the solid planets and moons, only Earth, Venus, & Titan have significant
atmospheres. Mars’ atmosphere is about 1/100th that of Earth’s, too small for significant
insulation or shielding.
3. PRESENCE OF WATER
Water, in the liquid form, turns out to be one of the most important prerequisites for life
as we know it. There is recent evidence that liquid water, in the form of brine (salty water) flows
intermittently on the surface of Mars.
Situation: Abundance of liquid water on Earth, hence the blue color. Only Earth’s surface
has water, though Mars once had surface water and still has water ice in its polar ice caps.
Saturn’s moon, Titan, seems to be covered with liquid methane.
4. ENERGY
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).
Situation: The inner planets gets too much sunlight for life. The outer planets get too
little.
5. NUTRIENTS
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).
All solid planets & moons have the same general chemical makeup, so nutrients are
present. Those with a water cycle or volcanic activity can transport and replenish the chemicals
required by living organisms.
Situation: Earth has a water cycle, an atmosphere, and volcanoes to circulate nutrients.
Venus, Titan, Io, and Mars have nutrients and ways to circulate them to organisms.
Scenario: Imagine you are in an interstellar voyage. Your spaceship suffers mechanical
problems and will be forced to land. Fortunately, you are passing through the Yanib System,
which is composed of a sun-like star surrounded by seven planets, some of which have moons.
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The profiles of planets and moons of the Yanib System are listed on Table 3. Your task is to
decide which among the given planets is the best place to land your ship.
Write down your choice of planet or moon in your notebook. Reasons for your choice
should also be written down. Reasons why you did not choose the other planets should also
be included.
Direction: Make an infographic, using software/application of your choice, on how unique earth
is. The purpose is to inform everyone, with facts, as to why we should value our home planet
and appreciate its capability of sustaining life (you may research for additional ideas/facts just
don’t forget to properly cite the sources). Use the following rubric:
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Needs
Excellent Merit Achieved
Criteria Improvement Score
(4 pts) (3 pts) (2 pts)
(1 pt)
Information is A good amount of
All information Most Information
Accuracy of accurate with the information is
are accurate and are accurate and
information some vague inaccurate and/
well supported well supported
points or vague
Information is
Information are
clearly presented
clear Information is
and ordered in Information are
Order of unclear and
Organization such a way that clearly presented
information does written in random
it brings a full and ordered
not clearly show order
picture of the
cohesiveness
material
Objects used are Objects used are
helpful, cohesive, helpful, cohesive, Too many objects
Objects used are
Objects Used and positioned and positioned used
helpful and
(diagram/image/ appropriately appropriately Objects are
positioned
graphs/charts) Amount of Amount of positioned
appropriately
objects used is objects used is randomly
just right just right
All spelling and Some spelling Some spelling Notable spelling
Spelling and
grammar are and grammar and grammar and grammar
grammar
correct error error error
Submitted on Submitted on Submitted on Submitted after
Punctuality
time time time the deadline
Infographic is Infographic is Infographic is
Infographic
neat and generally neat mostly neat and
appears messy
incorporates and incorporates incorporate
and poorly
appropriate appropriate designs Visually
designed
Visual Appeal designs. It is designs pleasing and
Readable Font
visually inviting Visually inviting readable Font
does not seem to
and easy to read and easy to read does not seem to
complement
Uses appropriate Uses appropriate complement
objects used
layout layout objects used
Used varied
Sources are not
Used varied and Used varied and sources
varied, some are
reliable sources reliable sources Most sources are
Sources unreliable
All sources are Most sources are reliable
Few sources are
cited cited Most sources are
cited
cited
28/7 =
Highest possible score is (4 x 7)/7 = 4 TOTAL
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ADJECTIVAL RATING RATING RANGE GRADE RANGE
EXCELLENT 3.4-4.0 95-100
MERIT 2.6-3.3 88-94
ACHIEVED 1.8-2.5 81-87
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT 1.0-1.7 75-80
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_____4. Which planet besides the Earth has evidence of erosion by running water?
A. Mercury C. Mars
B. Venus D. Neptune
_____5. Which of the following statements are the characteristics of the Earth that supports life?
I. The presence of oxygen and carbon dioxide on the environment.
II. Its temperature ranges from -57oC to -65oC.
III. Steady input of either light or chemical energy.
IV. Too active circulation system.
A. I and II C. II, and III
B. I,II, and III D. I,III, and IV
_____6. Which of the following scenario will a person experience low surface pressure?
A. during scuba diving C. during exercising
B. during mountain climbing D. during beach walking
_____7. What speed is needed for a gas molecule to escape from a planet?
A. Orbital velocity C. Solar wind speed
B. Speed of light D. Escape velocity
_____8. Which of the following is not true about Earth’s atmosphere?
A. Size of the atmosphere is enough to keep the surface warm.
B. It protects the planet from radiation
C. It keeps medium- to large-sized meteorites from hitting the surface
D. None of the Above
_____9. How does hydrosphere aid in the proliferation of life?
A. It protects us from the sun’s radiation.
B. It serves as ways for transportation.
C. It houses diverse species of marine life.
D. It has different forms of water such as ocean, river, streams, and lake.
_____10. If you weigh 65 kilograms here on earth, you would weigh ______ on Mars.
A. lesser C. the same
B. greater D. 0 kilogram or weightless
Self-Check
Place a check (✔) mark in the first column below to indicate whether the objectives
were met upon completion of this module. Answer the following reflection with an honest
assessment of what you've learned, what you find interesting and what needs to be improved.
Do this in your notebook.
Check I can…
Reflect
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References
Commission on Higher Education. 2016. Teaching Guide for Senior High School: Earth and
Life Science. Quezon City, Philippines: EC-TEC Commercial.
Hanafi, H. (2018, August 5). Landscape photography of summit [Photograph]. Retrieved from
https://unsplash.com/photos/RJvJI1gTE7o
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2020, from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/astronomy/chapter/composition-
and-structure-of-planets/
Mills, K. (2018, July 7). Calm sky during day time [Photograph]. Retrieved from
https://unsplash.com/photos/1h2Pg97SXfA
Misachi, J. (2019, September 9). Tallest Mountains in The Philippines. Retrieved June 16,
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philippines.html
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https://freerangestock.com/photos/49399/human-eye-with-planet-earth-
reflected.html
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https://climate.nasa.gov/faq/19/what-is-the-greenhouse-effect/
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https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/earth/overview/
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Retrieved June 16, 2020, from https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/what-is-gravity/en/
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https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/venus/in-
depth/#:%7E:text=Similar%20in%20structure%20and%20size,hot%20enough%20to
%20melt%20lead.
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NASA. (2020, June 1). How Do We Weigh Planets? | NASA Space Place – NASA Science for
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weight/en/
NASA - StarChild. (n.d.). Teachers’ Center Activity: Densities. Retrieved June 16, 2020, from
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land.pdf
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