Department of Education

National Capital Region

S CHOOLS DIVIS ION OFFICE
MARIK INA CITY

Earth Science
First Quarter-Module 1:
Earth as a Habitable Planet

Ed-Angelo P. Tan
Writers:
John Paul B. Arcilla
Illustrator: Christine Ann G. Faraon
Cover Illustrator: Christine Ann G. Faraon

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DISCIPLINE • GOOD TASTE • EXCELLENCE
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
understand the characteristics of Earth that make it habitable. The scope of this
module permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The language
used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged
to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them
can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

The module will discuss the five (5) essential factors that make a planet
habitable. These factors are: temperature, water, atmosphere, energy, and
availability of nutrients.

After going through this module, you are expected to

1. identify the factors that allow a planet to support life;
2. recognize the difference in the physical and chemical properties between
Earth and its neighboring planets; and
3. describe the characteristics of Earth that are necessary to support life (S11ES-
Ia-b-3).

What I Know

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.

1. Which factor influences the speed of movement in atoms and molecules and
is related to the reaction speed in proteins, DNA, and other biomolecules?
A. Atmosphere
B. Nutrients
C. Temperature
D. Water

2. Which of the following is considered as the importance of water in a habitable

planet?
A. Chemicals are dissolved and transported in water.
B. Water is used to build and maintain an organism’s body.
C. Organisms use water to power their metabolic processes.
D. Water traps heat, shields surface from harmful radiation.

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 3. The absence or presence of this factor greatly affects the planet’s ability to
maintain its surface temperature and protect it from cosmic rays. Which
factor is described?
A. Atmosphere
B. Energy
C. Temperature
D. Water

4. Which factor provides organisms with a power source for their biological
processes, that too little and too much of this result to cell death?
A. Atmosphere
B. Energy
C. Temperature
D. Water

5. Which factor is the source of all building blocks of cells and serves as the
source ingredient they need to maintain metabolic processes inside them?
A. Atmosphere
B. Nutrients
C. Temperature
D. Water

6. A small, hot planet will most likely have which of the following characteristic?
A. No atmosphere
B. Clouds of methane
C. A thick atmosphere
D. H and He in its atmosphere

7. Which of the following characteristics will allow a planet to hold an

atmosphere?
A. Presence of water
B. Size of the planet
C. Presence of gas particles
D. Distance of the planet from sun

8. Which of the following characteristics relates to a planet’s energy?

A. Presence of water
B. Size of the planet
C. Presence of gas particles
D. Distance of the planet from sun

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9. Which of the following theories is considered to be the most accepted theory
of the origin of the universe?
A. Kuba Theory
B. Divine Creation
C. Big Bang Theory
D. Steady State Theory

10. Which of the following theories is accepted as the current theory explaining
the origin of our solar system?
A. Accretion Theory
B. Nebular Hypothesis
C. Encounter Hypothesis
D. Protoplanet Hypothesis

11. Which of the following events created Earth’s moon?

A. Death of a star
B. Synthesis of comets
C. Collapse of a blackhole
D. Collision of Earth with a large object

12. Which of the following atmospheric gas is found in the atmosphere of Venus,
Earth, and Mars?
A. Carbon dioxide (CO2)
B. Carbon monoxide (CO)
C. Methane (CH4)
D. Water (H2O)

13. Which of the following characteristics determines the number of hours in the
day of a planet?
A. Axis
B. Revolution
C. Rotation
D. Tilt

14. Which of the following planets has a global magnetic field?

A. Earth
B. Mars
C. Saturn
D. Venus

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DISCIPLINE • GOOD TASTE • EXCELLENCE 3
 15. Which of the following planets has water in their subsurface?
A. Mars
B. Mercury
C. Saturn
D. Venus

Factors That Make a Planet

Lesson
Habitable
Earth is a unique planet in our solar system being the only one to contain and
maintain diverse forms of life. Earth has a set of interactive and interconnected
systems that work with one another in many ways. The uniqueness of this planet
may be attributed to its formation and origin. Most importantly, it is brought upon
by several factors which make Earth the only habitable planet in the solar system.

What’s In

The characteristics that make Earth habitable are mostly governed by the
properties it obtained during its formation and the laws that govern the natural
world. To understand these characteristics and how they affect the formation of life,
you must first understand how the universe and solar system came to be and how
planets formed.

Read the information provided below to give you some insights about the
formation of the universe, solar system, and the planets.

• The most accepted theory explaining the origin of the universe is the Big Bang
Theory. It postulated that 13.8 billion years ago, the universe expanded from
a tiny, dense, and hot mass to its present size and much cooler state.

• The Big Bang Theory has withstood the tests for expansion: 1) the redshift, 2)
the abundance of hydrogen, helium, and lithium, and 3) the uniformly
pervasive cosmic microwave background radiation-the remnant heat from the
bang.

• There are several theories describing the origin of our solar system. These
include the Nebular Hypothesis, Encounter Hypothesis, Accretion Theory,

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 Capture Theory, and the currently accepted theory which is the Protoplanet
Hypothesis.

• The Protoplanet Hypothesis describes the origin of our solar system as a

slowly rotating gas and dust cloud that contract due to gravity. This leads to
several events happening including the formation of a proto-Sun, high speed
collisions of large objects and between protoplanets, and the formation of gas
planets due to solar winds.

• Collision of Earth with large object produced the moon. This is supported by
the composition of the moon, which is very similar to Earth's mantle. The
moon regulates the tides on Earth, which is important to many phenomena
on Earth. The movement of water also helps in the regulation of temperature.

• Accretion and bombardment during Earth's formation generated heat (kinetic

energy is transformed into heat). This was partly retained by Earth as internal
heat. This heat keeps most the water on Earth in its liquid state.

What’s New

Properties of a Planet

The physical and chemical properties of a planet are dictated by the events
that happened during its formation. The formation of these properties is influenced
by events that happened in the planet thousands of years later. Terrestrial planets
in our solar system share some similarities and differences. In the activity below,
you will be observing some properties of the planets Venus, Earth, and Mars. This
will give you an insight into how Earth is truly unique among these planets.

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DISCIPLINE • GOOD TASTE • EXCELLENCE 5
Activity 1
Write at least three (3) differences and similarities among the planets Venus, Earth,
and Mars that you observe. Use the image and table below for your observations.

Figure 1. Image of Venus, Earth, and Mars, respectively.

Table 1. Comparison of features in planets’ Venus, Earth, and Mars

(National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2015)

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Similarities among the planets based on the figure/image:

_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

Differences among the planets based on the figure/image:

_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

Similarities among the planets based on the table:

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

Differences among the planets based on the table:

_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

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 What Is It

There are five (5) essential factors that make a planet habitable. In the table
below, it shows how our planet Earth differs from other planets that enables it to
sustain life. To easily remember these five factors, you may memorize the word W-A-
T-E-N. It stands for Water, Atmosphere, Temperature, Energy, and Nutrients.

Table 2. Factors that Make a Planet Habitable.

Factor that
Situation in
make a Not enough of Too much of
Just right the solar
planet the factor the factor
system
habitable
Water The chemicals Water is Too much Surface:
Dissolves & a cell needs regularly water is not a Only Earth’s
transports for energy & available. Life problem, if it surface has
chemicals growth are not can go is not so toxic water, though
within and to dissolved or dormant that it
transported to between wet Mars once
and from a interferes with
cell. the cell. periods, but, had surface
the chemistry
eventually, of life. water and still
water needs to has water ice
be available. in its polar ice
caps. Saturn’s
moon, Titan,
seems to be
covered with
liquid
methane.

Subsurface:
Mars & some
moons have
deposits of
underground
ice, which
might melt to
produce
water.
Europa, has a
vast ocean
beneath its
outer shell of
ice.

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Atmosphere Small planets Earth & Venus’s Of the solid
Traps heat, and moons Venus are the atmosphere is planets &
shields the have right size to 100 times moons, only
surface from insufficient hold a thicker than Earth, Venus,
harmful gravity to hold sufficient- Earth’s. It is & Titan have
radiation, and an sized made significant
provides atmosphere. atmosphere. almost atmospheres.
chemicals The gas Earth’s entirely of Mars’
needed for molecules atmosphere is greenhouse atmosphere is
life, such as escape to about 100 gasses, about
nitrogen and space, leaving miles thick. It making the 1/100th that
carbon the planet keeps the surface too of
dioxide. or moon surface hot for life. Earth’s, too
without an warm & The four giant small for
insulating protects it planets significant
blanket or a from radiation are completely insulation or
protective & made of gas. shielding.
shield. small- to
medium-sized
meteorites.
Temperature Low Life seems At about Surface:
Influences temperatures limited to a 125˚C, protein Only Earth’s
how quickly cause temperature and surface is in
chemicals to
atoms & range of carbohydrate this
react slowly,
molecules which minus 15˚C to molecules and temperature
move. interferes with 115˚C. In this genetic ranges.
the reactions range, liquid material
necessary for water can still (e.g., DNA and Subsurface:
life. Also, low exist under RNA) start to The interior of
temperatures certain break apart. the solid
freeze water, Also, high planets &
conditions.
making liquid temperatures moons may be
water quickly in this
unavailable. evaporate temperature
water. range.
Energy like When there is With a steady Light energy is Surface:
heat and light too little input of either a problem if it The inner
are used by sunlight or light makes a planets get too
too few of the or chemical planet too hot much sunlight
organisms to
chemicals that energy, cells or if there for life. The
carry out or
provide energy can run are too many outer
do their life
to cells, such the chemical harmful rays, planets get too
processes.
as iron reactions such as little.
or sulfur, necessary ultraviolet.
organisms die. for life. Too many Subsurface:
energy rich Most solid
planets &

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 chemicals are moons have
not a problem. energy-rich
chemicals.
Nutrients are Without All solid Too many Surface:
used to build chemicals to planets & nutrients are Earth has a
and maintain make proteins moons have not a water cycle,
an organism’s & the problem. an
body. carbohydrates, same general However, too atmosphere,
organisms chemical active system and volcanoes
cannot makeup, so of to
grow. Planets nutrients are circulation, circulate
without present. such as the nutrients.
systems to Those with a constant Venus, Titan,
deliver water cycle or volcanism on Io,
nutrients to volcanic Jupiter’s and Mars
its organisms activity can moon, Io, or have nutrients
(e.g., a water transport and the churning and ways
cycle or replenish the atmospheres to circulate
volcanic chemicals of the gas them to
activity) required by planets, organisms.
cannot living interferes with
support life. organisms. an organism’s Subsurface:
Also, ability to get Any planet or
when enough moon
nutrients are nutrients. with sub-
spread so surface water
thinly or molten
that they are rock can
hard to obtain, circulate and
such replenish
as on a gas nutrients for
planet, life organisms.
cannot exist.

What’s More

Activity 2

Imagine you and your crew is 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. The profiles of planets and moons of the Yanib
System are listed on the table below. You are to decide the best place to land your
ship.

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Write down on a piece of paper your choice of planet or moon. Reasons for your
choice should also be written down. Reasons you did not choose the other planets
should also be included.

Planet 1 (closet to the star) Planet 4

Mass: 1.5 (Earth = 1) Mass: 1.5
Tectonics: Active volcanoes and Tectonics: Active volcanoes and
seismic activity detected seismic activity detected
Atmosphere: CO2, N, and H20 Atmosphere: N, O2, and ozone
Ave. Temperature: 651oC layer
Description: Thick clouds surround Average Temperature: 2oC
the planet. No surface is visible Description: Cold oceans, covered
through the clouds. with ice along much of the globe,
some open water around equator
Planet 2 Planet 5
Mass: 0.5 Gas Giant with one large moon.
Tectonics: No activity detected Moon: Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
Atmosphere: Thin CO2 atmosphere. Many volcanoes and
atmosphere hot springs on surface.
detected Temperatures in hot spots can be
Average Temperature: 10oC up to 600oC. Other spots away
Description: Polar ice caps, dry from volcanic heat can get as low
riverbeds in temperature as 145oC.
Planet 3 Planet 6
Mass: 1 Gas giant with four large, rocky
Tectonics: Active volcanoes and satellites (moons).
seismic activity detected. Moons have no appreciable
Atmosphere: CO2, H2O atmosphere. Ice detectable on
Temperature: 30 oC one.
Description: Liquid water oceans
cover much of the surface.
Volcanic island chains make up
most of the dry land.

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 Planet 7 (furthest from the star)
Gas giant with two large moons.
Moon 1: Thick methane
atmosphere with pressure high
enough to keep a potential
methane ocean liquid underneath.
Temperature: -200 oC
Moon 2: Covered in water ice. Ice
appears cracked and re-frozen in
parts, indicating a potential liquid
ocean underneath.
Surface temperature -100 oC.

What I Have Learned

1. Planets have different physical and chemical properties. Examples of

physical properties are size, shape, appearance, and distance. Example of
chemical property is the chemical composition of a planet.
2. There are five (5) essential factors that make a planet habitable:
a. ____________________
b. ____________________
c. ____________________
d. ____________________
e. ____________________
__________ 3. Only Earth has this factor on its surface.
__________ 4. This physical property of a planet determines its capacity to hold an
atmosphere.
__________ 5. A physical property of a planet determines the capability of a planet
to run their life processes.

What I Can Do

Activity 3

On a whole sheet of paper (or may be on an MS Word file), write a 200-word

report/essay on the following topic: Can man alter Mars’ environment to make it
more suitable for human habitation? How?

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Rubrics:
NOT NEEDS MEETS EXCEEDS
EVIDENT IMPROVEMENT EXPECTATION EXPECTATION
(0-74 pt.) (75-80 pts.) (81-90 pts.) (91-100 pts.)
Logic and
consistency
in the
arguments.
Valid and
consistent
scientific
concepts to
support the
answer.

Assessment

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.

1. A small, hot planet will most likely have which of the following characteristic?
A. No atmosphere
B. Clouds of methane
C. A thick atmosphere
D. H and He in its atmosphere

2. Which of the following characteristics will allow a planet to hold an

atmosphere?
A. Presence of water
B. Size of the planet
C. Presence of gas particles
D. Distance of the planet from sun

3. Which of the following characteristics relates to a planet’s energy?

A. Presence of water
B. Size of the planet
C. Presence of gas particles
D. Distance of the planet from sun

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DISCIPLINE • GOOD TASTE • EXCELLENCE 13
 4. Which of the following theories is considered to be the most accepted theory
of the origin of the universe?
A. Kuba Theory
B. Divine Creation
C. Big Bang Theory
D. Steady State Theory

5. Which of the following theories is accepted as the current theory explaining

the origin of our solar system?
A. Accretion Theory
B. Nebular Hypothesis
C. Encounter Hypothesis
D. Protoplanet Hypothesis

6. Which of the following events created Earth’s moon?

A. Death of a star
B. Synthesis of comets
C. Collapse of a blackhole
D. Collision of Earth with a large object

7. Which of the following atmospheric gas is found in the atmosphere of Venus,

Earth, and Mars?
A. Carbon dioxide (CO2)
B. Carbon monoxide (CO)
C. Methane (CH4)
D. Water (H2O)

8. Which of the following characteristics determines the number of hours in the

day of a planet?
A. Axis
B. Revolution
C. Rotation
D. Tilt

9. Which of the following planets has a global magnetic field?

A. Earth
B. Mars
C. Saturn
D. Venus

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10. Which of the following planets has water in their subsurface?
A. Mars
B. Mercury
C. Saturn
D. Venus

11. Which factor influences the speed of movement in atoms and molecules and
is related to the reaction speed in proteins, DNA, and other biomolecules?
A. Atmosphere
B. Nutrients
C. Temperature
D. Water

12. Which of the following is considered as the importance of water in a habitable

planet?
A. Chemicals are dissolved and transported in water.
B. Water is used to build and maintain an organism’s body.
C. Organisms use water to power their metabolic processes.
D. Water traps heat, shields surface from harmful radiation.

13. The absence or presence of this factor greatly affects the planet’s ability to
maintain its surface temperature and protect it from cosmic rays. Which
factor is described?
A. Atmosphere
B. Energy
C. Temperature
D. Water
14. Which factor provides organisms with a power source for their biological
processes, that too little and too much of this result to cell death?
A. Atmosphere
B. Energy
C. Temperature
D. Water

15. Which factor is the source of all building blocks of cells and serves as the
source ingredient they need to maintain metabolic processes inside them?
A. Atmosphere
B. Nutrients
C. Temperature
D. Water

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 Additional Activities

On a whole sheet of paper. Explain the following to check your understanding and
retention of the concepts.

1. Explain the impact of planet size to gravity, internal heat, and atmosphere of
the planet.

2. Identify factors that influence a planet's temperature.

3. Explain why the presence of liquid water is important to life.

Rubrics:
NOT NEEDS MEETS EXCEEDS
EVIDENT IMPROVEMENT EXPECTATION EXPECTATION
(0-74 pt.) (75-80 pts.) (81-90 pts.) (91-100 pts.)
Can explain the impact of
planet size to gravity, internal
heat, and atmosphere of the
planet.
Can identify factors that
influence a planet's
temperature.

Can explain why the presence

of liquid water is important to
life.

References
(1) Montana State University. (n.d.). Interstellar Real Estate - Defining the Habitable Zone.
Retrieved from
https://btc.montana.edu/ceres/html/Habitat/habitablezone.htm
(2) National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2015). Planetary Fact Sheet. Retrieved
from http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/
(3) 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
(4) National Science Foundation. (n.d.). Goldilocks and the Three Planets. Retrieved from
http://www.voyagesthroughtime.org/planetary/sample/lesson5/pdf/goldilocks.
pdf
(5) National Science Foundation. (n.d.). Lesson 5: Activity 3: Habitable Worlds. Retrieved from
http://www.voyagesthroughtime.org/planetary/sample/lesson5/z_act3.htm

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 Development Team of the Module
Writers: Ed-Angelo P. Tan (SEHS)
John Paul B. Arcilla (MSHS)
Editors: Reynald Alfred A. Recede (MHS)
Russel S. Berador (SEHS)
Maria Carmina R. Martin (MHS)
Emily G. Santos (PSDS)
Reviewer: Jessica S. Mateo (EPS – Science)
Illustrator: Christine Ann G. Faraon (BNHS)
Layout Artist: Ed-Angelo P. Tan (SEHS)
Management Team:
Sheryll T. Gayola
Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
OIC, Office of the Schools Division Superintendent

Elisa O. Cerveza
Chief, Curriculum Implementation Division
OIC, Office of the Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

Jessica S. Mateo
Education Program Supervisor – Science

Ivy Coney A. Gamatero

Education Program Supervisor – Learning Resource Management Section

For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Schools Division Office – Marikina City

191 Shoe Ave., Sta. Elena, Marikina City, 1800, Philippines

Telefax: (02) 8682-2472 / 8682-3989

Email Address: sdo.marikina@deped.gov.ph

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