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Habitability of the Earth

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Objectives

  • Understand the factors for the Earth’s ability to sustain life.

Factors for the Habitability of the Earth

  • The Earth is a unique planet as it is the only planet capable of supporting life.

  • The uniqueness of the Earth and its ability of it to support life came possible because of the many factors.

  • Large Amount of Liquid Water

    • Large amounts of liquid water is essential as it allows for complex chemical reactions essential for hosting life on Earth.

  • Substantial Amount of Oxygen

    • Oxygen is essential as it enables support for life and allows fires that is essential for survival.
    • Too little oxygen and it will be too hard to breathe.
    • Too much oxygen may lead to oxygen toxicity.

  • Thick Atmosphere

    • An atmosphere protects us from harmful UV rays coming from the Sun
    • A thin atmosphere may be hard enough to breathe.
    • An atmosphere too thick may crush us from the pressure of the atmosphere.

  • Magnetic Field

    • A magnetic field protects us from solar wind from outer space and the flares of the sun.

  • Size of the Earth

    • A slightly lesser size might not have enough mass to pull its atmosphere using its own gravity.

  • Distance from the Sun

    • Earth is located in a region of space called the Goldilocks Zone
      • This region in space is enough for liquid water to sustain.
      • Mars is also located in the Goldilocks Zone
    • If it was closer to the Sun, water might evaporate.
    • If it was farther away from the Sun, water might freeze and be unable to sustain life.

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