LESSON 1: CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EARTH Flashcards

1
Q
  • Area that’s at the right distance from the sun
  • AKA “Habitable zone”
A

Goldilocks’ zone

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2
Q
  • Protects us from harmful UV rays
  • Provides warmth (like a blanket)
A

Ozone Layer

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3
Q
  • Deflects Solar flares and solar waves
A

Magnetic Field

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4
Q
  • 3rd planet of the Solar system
  • Only habitable planet
  • 4.6 million years old
A

Earth

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5
Q

How far is the Solar system from the Galactic core?

A

30 000 light years

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6
Q

How does our Solar system avoid the dangerous part of our Galaxy (Galactic core)

A

The solar system’s circular orbit

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7
Q

The galactic core contains the following:

A

Black holes

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8
Q

What reduces the risks of gravitational tugs, gamma ray Burt’s, an/ or collapsing of stars near the Earth?

A

Few stars near the Sun

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9
Q

What planet, AKA “Big brother planet” protects the Earth by blocking out incoming debris and sweeping out asteroid vents

A

Jupiter

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10
Q
  • Yellow dwarf
  • Type of star that is both small and stable
  • Long life expectancy
A

The Sun

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11
Q

Stars ______ than the sun burn hotter and usually do not live long enough for planets to develop life

A

more massive

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12
Q

Stars _____ than the Sun are more unstable and prone to Solar blasting

A

Smaller

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13
Q

How much energy does the Sun provide?

A

239 trillion horsepower

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14
Q

How far is the Earth from the Sun?

A

93 million miles

or

150 million Kilometers

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15
Q

What will happen if the Earth is too close to the sun?

A
  • Water will dry up
  • Hotter temperature
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16
Q

What will happen if the Earth is too far from the sun?

A
  • Water will solidify/freeze
  • Colder temperature
17
Q

What radioactive elements power a churning core that will last for billions of years

A
  • Uranium
  • Potassium
  • Thorium
18
Q

What supports the Magnetic field

A

The Earth’s dynamic core

19
Q

What is the reason for a steadier climate on Earth

A

The moon’s stabilizing effect on our orbit

20
Q

What happens if the moon becomes closer to the Earth?

A

would exert more gravitational force, causing huge tides and flooding

21
Q

What happens if we do not have an ozone layer?

A

Life cannot grow on heavy ultraviolet radiation

22
Q

What are the gases found on the Earth’s atmosphere

A

78% Nitrogen
21% Oxygen
0.9% Argon

Greenhouse gases
- Carbon Dioxide
- Nitrous Oxide
- Methane

23
Q

What would happen if our atmosphere is thinner

A

Meteors could enter our planet and cause destruction

24
Q

Effects of low temperature?

A
  • Chemicals will react slowly
  • Water will solidify
25
Temperature range suitable for life
-15° to 115°
26
Effects of hotter temperature
- Temperature above 125° will break apart protein and carbohydrate molecules and genetic materials (DNA, RNA) - Evaporation of water
27
Effects of having a thinner atmosphere
- Small planets and moons cannot hold an atmosphere due to insufficient gravity - Gas molecules escape, leaving the planet without insulation or a protective shield
28
which planet has the right size to hold an atmosphere
Earth and Venus
29
How thick is the Earth's atmosphere
100km thick
30
Effects of having a thicker atmosphere
- Like Venus (100x thicker than Earth) made almost out of greenhouse gases, makes it too hot for life. - The 4 giant planets are completely made of gas
31
Effects of having a thicker atmosphere
- Like Venus (100x thicker than Earth) made almost out of greenhouse gases, makes it too hot for life. - The 4 giant planets are completely made of gas
32
which planet/moons have significant atmosphere
- Earth - Venus - Titan (Saturn's largest moon)
33
Effects of having little energy
- Chemicals that provide energy to cells, organisms die
34
Effects of having too much energy
- Makes the planet too hot - Produces harmful waves -Too much energy- rich chemicals is not a problem
35
Effects of having little nutrients
- Organisms cannot grow - Lack of systems to deliver nutrients (through water cycles, volcanic activities) life cannot exist
36
Effects of having too many nutrients
- Not a problem - Active volcanic activity and churning of atmospheres interferes with organisms to get enough nutrients
37
What makes the Earth Habitable?
1. Location: Far from hazards 2. Sun: Stable and long- lasting 3. Right distance from the Sun 4. Hosts a dynamic core 5. Moon: Big enough to support axial wobble 6. Ozone Layer