Earth Science LESSON 1

What are the 8 planets in order from the Sun?

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

What does Earth have that other planets don’t?

life

What are the 5 Goldilocks factors that make Earth suitable for life?

Distance from the Sun, Earth’s atmosphere, Earth’s temperature, Earth’s moon, and diversity of life.

What is the importance of Earth’s distance from the Sun?

It places Earth in the Goldilocks Zone — not too hot, not too cold — so water can stay liquid and life can survive.

How does Earth’s atmosphere help support life?

It provides oxygen and nitrogen for breathing, blocks harmful UV rays with the ozone layer, and helps regulate temperature.

Why is Earth’s temperature ideal for life?

The average temperature is around 15°C, which allows living things to survive without freezing or overheating.

How does Earth’s moon support life on Earth?

It stabilizes Earth's tilt for stable seasons and controls ocean tides that support marine life and nutrient cycling.

Why is biodiversity important to life on Earth?

Biodiversity keeps ecosystems balanced, recycles nutrients, supports food webs, and helps life adapt to environmental changes.

What is the Goldilocks Zone?

A zone around a star where conditions are just right — not too hot, not too cold — for liquid water to exist.

What is photosynthesis?

The process where plants (autotrophs) use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose and oxygen.

What are autotrophs and why are they important?

Autotrophs like plants and algae make their own food through photosynthesis and produce oxygen needed by all living organisms.

What makes Earth unique in terms of supporting life?

Earth has the right temperature, atmosphere, liquid water, active life forms, protective ozone, and is in the Goldilocks Zone.