CHARACTERISTICS OF EARTH

& ITS SUBSYSTEMS

 OBJEC-
TIVES
 Describe the characteristics of Earth that are necessary
to support life (S11ES-Ia-b-3)

 Explain that the Earth consists of four subsystems,

across whose boundaries matter and energy flow
(S11ES-Ib-4)
 CHARACTERISITCS OF
EARTH
T E M P E R AT U R E

Among the other planets,

only Earth’s surface has
temperature range of minus
15˚C to 115˚C. Given this
temperature range, H2O may still
exist in liquid form being crucial
to life. And most living things are
limited to this temperature range.
 CHARACTERISITCS OF
EARTH
water
This matter dissolves and
transports materials in and out
of the cell. Only Earth has the
right chemical materials like
liquid water that could support
life.
 CHARACTERISITCS OF
EARTH
AT M O S P H E R I C
CONDITION
The earth’s atmosphere is
capable of trapping heat and
houses the important atmospheric
gases such as carbon dioxide
and oxygen which cause the
earth to warm. It also shields the
surface from harmful radiation
through the ozone layer that has
the right size about 100 miles
 CHARACTERISITCS OF
EARTH
energy
Living things use light or
chemical energy to run essential
life processes. With the
availability of sufficient energy,
organisms can perform different
metabolic reactions through the
cells.
 CHARACTERISITCS OF
EARTH
Distance from
the sun

Earth is in the Goldilocks

Zone. A region with the just the
right temperature to sustain life –
not too cold not too hot.
 CHARACTERISITCS OF
EARTH
STRONG MAGNETIC
FIELD

It shields us from the

electromagnetic radiation coming
from the Sun. The magnetic field
deflects the radiation that may
destroy the ozone layer.
 CHARACTERISITCS OF
EARTH
NUTRIENTS

These are materials that

build and maintain an organism’s
body. The inner planets including
Earth and moons have the same
general chemical components
which makes nutrients easily
available in the environment.
 CHARACTERISITCS OF
EARTH
GREENHOUSE
GASES
Without the greenhouse
effect, Earth would be frozen,
more than 60º F colder. the
atmosphere is capable of trapping
heat because of greenhouse
gases. Examples of greenhouse
gases are water vapor, methane,
and carbon dioxide.
 CHARACTERISITCS OF
EARTH
very hot temperature
of the core

The earth’s core causes the

convection currents in the mantle
causing the overlaying lithosphere
to move, presence of magnetic
field, and carbon-silicate cycle.
 CHARACTERISITCS OF
EARTH
Influence of the
moon
The moon’s gravitational pull
causes tides. In some instances,
the moon also plays a role in the
distribution of life forms, like in
birds for migration and navigation.
It also has an effect on the
planet’s polar shifts.
 SUBSYSTEMS OF THE
EARTH
AT M O S P H E R E
A set of layers of gases that
blankets the planet held by the
planet’s gravity. It is consisted of
78% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen,
0.93% argon and 0.04% water
vapor including all other gases.
Different layers of the atmosphere
include the troposphere,
stratosphere, mesosphere and
thermosphere.
 SUBSYSTEMS OF THE
EARTH
HYDROSPHERE

It is the liquid component

of the Earth including oceans,
glacial waters, and freshwater
bodies that covers 70% of the
earth’s surface; 98% of the
water on Earth is saltwater.
 SUBSYSTEMS OF THE
EARTH
GEOSPHERE
It is the solid sphere of the
earth. This is where geologic
processes such as volcanism
and orogenesis (mountain
building) take place. The
lithosphere is a part of the
geosphere that is composed of
the solid, outermost part of the
planet.
 SUBSYSTEMS OF THE
EARTH
BIOSPHERE

This is the living sphere of

the earth. It is the totality of all
the ecosystems in the whole
planet. It compels us to
interact with other living
organisms with the influence of
the abiotic factors in the
system.