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.