Earth's Composition and Structure

Overview

• Third planet from the Sun in our solar system
• Only known planet to support life

Composition

• Iron (~32%): core, inner core, and iron-rich minerals
• Oxygen (~30%): silicates, oxides, and atmospheric oxygen
• Silicon (~15%): silicates, quartz, and other minerals
• Magnesium (~14%): silicates, oxides, and magnesium-rich minerals
• Nickel (~1.8%): core, iron-nickel alloys, and nickel-rich minerals
• Other elements: calcium, aluminum, iron, potassium, and others

Atmosphere

• 78% nitrogen (N2)
• 21% oxygen (O2)
• 1% argon (Ar)
• Trace gases: carbon dioxide, neon, helium, methane, and others
• Atmospheric pressure: 1013 mbar (at sea level)

Climate and Weather

• Average global temperature: 15°C (59°F)
• Weather patterns:
  • High-pressure systems: fair weather, sinking air
  • Low-pressure systems: storms, rising air
  • Fronts: boundaries between air masses with different temperatures and humidity

Geological Features

• Continents: 7 (Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, South America)
• Oceans: 5 (Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, Southern)
• Mountains: highest peak, Mount Everest (8,848 m or 29,029 ft)
• Volcanoes: approximately 1,500 active volcanoes

Water Cycle

• Evaporation: water heats up, turns into water vapor
• Condensation: water vapor cools, turns back into liquid water
• Precipitation: water falls back to Earth as rain, snow, or hail
• Runoff: water flows over land, forming streams, rivers, and lakes

Earth's Overview

• Earth is the third planet from the Sun in our solar system.
• It is the only known planet to support life.

Earth's Composition

• Iron makes up approximately 32% of Earth's composition, found in the core, inner core, and iron-rich minerals.
• Oxygen accounts for around 30% of Earth's composition, present in silicates, oxides, and atmospheric oxygen.
• Silicon comprises around 15% of Earth's composition, found in silicates, quartz, and other minerals.
• Magnesium makes up approximately 14% of Earth's composition, present in silicates, oxides, and magnesium-rich minerals.
• Nickel accounts for around 1.8% of Earth's composition, found in the core, iron-nickel alloys, and nickel-rich minerals.
• Other elements present in smaller amounts include calcium, aluminum, iron, potassium, and others.

Earth's Atmosphere

• The atmosphere is composed of 78% nitrogen (N2).
• Oxygen (O2) makes up around 21% of the atmosphere.
• Argon (Ar) accounts for around 1% of the atmosphere.
• Trace gases present in the atmosphere include carbon dioxide, neon, helium, methane, and others.
• The atmospheric pressure at sea level is 1013 mbar.

Climate and Weather

• The average global temperature is 15°C (59°F).
• High-pressure systems are characterized by fair weather and sinking air.
• Low-pressure systems are marked by storms and rising air.
• Fronts are boundaries between air masses with different temperatures and humidity, leading to changes in weather patterns.

Geological Features

• There are 7 continents: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.
• There are 5 oceans: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Southern.
• The highest peak is Mount Everest, standing at 8,848 m (29,029 ft) above sea level.
• There are approximately 1,500 active volcanoes on Earth.

Water Cycle

• Evaporation occurs when water heats up and turns into water vapor.
• Condensation happens when water vapor cools and turns back into liquid water.
• Precipitation occurs when water falls back to Earth as rain, snow, or hail.
• Runoff is the flow of water over land, forming streams, rivers, and lakes.

Explore the composition and structure of Earth, the third planet from the Sun and the only known planet to support life. Learn about the percentages of different elements that make up our planet.