43 Questions
What is the approximate percentage of the solar system's mass that the Sun contains?
99.8%
What process is responsible for the Sun's brightness?
Nuclear fusion of hydrogen
At what speed does the light from the Sun travel to reach the Earth?
300,000 km/sec
What is the main reason that all the planets and celestial objects are held together in the solar system?
Strong pull of the Sun's gravity
How many times larger is the Sun's diameter compared to Earth's diameter?
109 times
Which planet is not listed as one of the eight planets from the Sun in the content?
Pluto
What is the average amount of solar energy received by Earth?
174W/m^2
Which of the following is NOT a reason for Earth's suitability for life?
Abundance of nitrogen
What is the average temperature of Earth?
15°C
Which of the following is a misconception about Earth’s habitability?
It is the smallest planet in the solar system
What essential feature does Earth's gravity provide?
It keeps the atmosphere in place
What phenomenon demonstrates the elliptical shape of the Earth's shadow during a lunar eclipse?
The Eclipse of the Moon
Which historical voyage is famously known for proving that the Earth is spherical?
Ferdinand Magellan's Voyage
How does the Pole Star help demonstrate the shape of the Earth?
Its altitude changes based on location on Earth.
What observation from the shore illustrates the curvature of the Earth?
A ship's mast appearing before the deck
Which experiment is cited as the most convincing proof of the Earth's shape?
The Bedford Canal Experiment
What does the circumnavigation by sailors indicate about the Earth's shape?
The Earth has a continuous curvature
What is the polar diameter of the Earth?
12,714 km
Which of the following statements about the Earth's atmosphere is true?
It is essential for life.
Where does the biosphere extend?
From the highest mountain peaks to the deepest ocean trenches
What is the shape of the Earth called?
Oblate Spheroid
What are the primary components of Earth's atmosphere?
Nitrogen and Oxygen
What is the equatorial diameter of the Earth?
12,756 km
Which portion of the atmosphere is inhabited by organisms?
Lower portion
Which concept refers to the sum of all living matter on Earth?
Biosphere
What is the primary reason for the higher temperature in the troposphere?
The presence of the atmosphere
What is the global temperature in the troposphere?
15 degrees Celsius
How does the temperature change at higher altitudes?
It decreases due to decreased energy from the atmosphere
Why were astronauts stunned by the color of Earth from the Moon?
It was blue indicating presence of water
Why does the temperature vary in different parts of the Earth?
Due to the presence of hills on the surface
What role do mountain ranges play concerning the Sun’s rays?
They act as shields protecting the surface from the Sun's radiation
What would the color of Earth have appeared if it were flat?
Brown
Which of the following contributes to the unique shape of the Earth?
The Earth revolving on its axis
Which experiment attempted to prove the Earth's rotation?
Bedford Canal
Which galaxy does the Solar System belong to?
Milky Way
What is the main source of heat and light for life on Earth?
Sun
Which planet is not part of the eight main planets of the Solar System?
Pluto
In which direction do all the planets revolve around the sun?
Anti-clockwise
What is the narrow zone where all forms of life exist called?
Biosphere
Which of the following resources is NOT essential for human survival?
Minerals
Which is a characteristic of Earth that makes it unique in the Solar System?
Presence of surface water
What characteristic of the Earth allows it to have a favourable environment for various forms of life?
Favourable environment
What is the role of the Sun in ocean currents?
Driving currents
Study Notes
The Earth as a Planet
- The Earth is a unique planet in the solar system with the right conditions for life to exist
- The Milky Way galaxy is the "bigger boss" of our solar system, a collection of stars, gas, and dust in a spiral shape
- The Sun is the "Big Boss" of our solar system, containing almost 99.8% of the mass and giving us the power of life
The Sun as a Star
- The Sun is the biggest member of the solar system, about 109 times bigger than the Earth
- The Sun's diameter is approximately 1.392 million km, while the Earth's diameter is about 12,756 km
- The Sun is bright due to nuclear reactions that convert hydrogen to helium
- The energy from the Sun lights and heats the Earth, travelling at a speed of about 300,000 km/sec
The Solar System
- The stars are large, hot, and mainly made up of very hot gases
- The Sun is at the center of our solar system, and all the planets, including the Earth, move around the Sun in an orbit
- The strong pull of the Sun's gravity holds the planets and celestial objects together
The Planets
- There are eight planets from the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune
- The planets are important members of the solar system
Earth - A Unique Planet
- The Earth is the only planet known to have conditions suitable for life
- The Earth is neither too hot nor too cold, receiving just the right amount of heat from the Sun
- The Earth is abundant in water, essential for the existence of life
- The Earth is not too large or too small, with a size and density that produces the right amount of gravity to hold its atmosphere
The Shape of the Earth
- The shape of the Earth is an oblate spheroid, slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator
- Evidence showing the shape of the Earth includes:
- The Circular Horizon
- The Eclipse of the Moon
- The Pole Star
- The Sighting of a Ship
- The Circumnavigation
- The Bedford Canal Experiment
- The Earth's polar diameter is about 12,714 km, while the Equatorial diameter is about 12,756 km
The Biosphere
- The biosphere is the sum of all life, all living matter on the Earth, including all living organisms
- The biosphere provides a home for all living organisms and is essential for life to exist
- The biosphere is a thin layer that stretches from the highest mountains peaks (over 8 km height) to the deepest ocean trench (about 11 km depth)
The Universe
- The universe probably originated due to the Big Bang, which happened about 20 billion years ago
- Our sun is a star and belongs to the Milky Way galaxy
- The solar family holds together due to the strong gravitational pull of the sun
Learn about the Sun as the center of our solar system and the Milky Way galaxy that contains it. Explore their composition and role in our universe.
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