Physical Characteristics of Earth

Study Notes

Physical Characteristics

Third planet from the Sun in our solar system
Diameter: approximately 12,742 km (7,918 miles)
Composition:
- Iron (32.1%): core and inner core
- Oxygen (30.1%): crust, mantle, and atmosphere
- Silicon (15.1%): crust and mantle
- Magnesium (13.9%): crust and mantle
- Nickel (1.8%): core
- Sulfur (1.2%): core
Surface area: approximately 510 million km² (197 million miles²)
Land area: approximately 148 million km² (57 million miles²)
Water area: approximately 362 million km² (140 million miles²)

Atmosphere

Composition:
- Nitrogen (78.08%)
- Oxygen (20.95%)
- Argon (0.93%)
- Carbon dioxide (0.04%)
- Trace gases (0.01%)
Atmospheric layers:
- Troposphere (up to 12 km / 7.5 miles high)
- Stratosphere (12-50 km / 7.5-31 miles high)
- Mesosphere (50-80 km / 31-50 miles high)
- Thermosphere (80-600 km / 50-373 miles high)
- Exosphere (600-10,000 km / 373-6,214 miles high)

Geological Processes

Plate tectonics: movement of the Earth's crust
Weathering: breakdown of rocks into sediments
Erosion: transportation of sediments by natural forces
Deposition: accumulation of sediments in new locations
Volcanic activity: formation of new rocks through magma and lava

Climate and Weather

Average temperature: approximately 15°C (59°F)
Climate zones:
- Tropical
- Desert
- Temperate
- Polar
Weather patterns:
- High and low-pressure systems
- Wind patterns
- Ocean currents and tides

Natural Resources

Water: oceans, lakes, rivers, and groundwater
Minerals: iron, copper, gold, silver, and others
Fossil fuels: coal, oil, and natural gas
Land: fertile soil, forests, and wildlife habitats

Physical Characteristics

Earth is the third planet from the Sun, with a diameter of approximately 12,742 km (7,918 miles)
Composition: iron (32.1%), oxygen (30.1%), silicon (15.1%), magnesium (13.9%), nickel (1.8%), and sulfur (1.2%)
Surface area is approximately 510 million km² (197 million miles²), with 148 million km² (57 million miles²) land area and 362 million km² (140 million miles²) water area

Atmosphere

Atmospheric composition: nitrogen (78.08%), oxygen (20.95%), argon (0.93%), carbon dioxide (0.04%), and trace gases (0.01%)
Atmospheric layers: troposphere (up to 12 km / 7.5 miles high), stratosphere (12-50 km / 7.5-31 miles high), mesosphere (50-80 km / 31-50 miles high), thermosphere (80-600 km / 50-373 miles high), and exosphere (600-10,000 km / 373-6,214 miles high)

Geological Processes

Plate tectonics: the movement of the Earth's crust
Weathering: the breakdown of rocks into sediments
Erosion: the transportation of sediments by natural forces
Deposition: the accumulation of sediments in new locations
Volcanic activity: the formation of new rocks through magma and lava

Climate and Weather

Average temperature: approximately 15°C (59°F)
Climate zones: tropical, desert, temperate, and polar
Weather patterns: high and low-pressure systems, wind patterns, and ocean currents and tides

Natural Resources

Water resources: oceans, lakes, rivers, and groundwater
Mineral resources: iron, copper, gold, silver, and others
Fossil fuels: coal, oil, and natural gas
Land resources: fertile soil, forests, and wildlife habitats

Description

Learn about the physical characteristics of our home planet, including its size, composition, and surface features. From the iron-rich core to the oxygen-filled atmosphere, explore the fascinating details of Earth's structure and geography.