Earth Science

Quarter 1 – Module 1:
Introduction to Earth Science
Introduction to Earth Science
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 1: Introduction to Earth Science
First Edition, 2020

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 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the introduction to Earth Science. The scope of this module permits it to
be used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the
diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the
standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be
changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.
The module is divided into three lessons, namely:
• Lesson 1 – Introduction to Earth Science
• Lesson 2 – Earth System
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. Describe the characteristics of Earth that are necessary to support life;
2. Explain that the Earth consists of four subsystems, across whose
boundaries matter and energy flow;

What I Know

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet
of paper.
1. The following are the main branches of Earth science, EXCEPT.
a. Geology b. Botany c. Oceanography d. Astronomy
2. Earth science is categorized as physical science because.
a. It deals with the study of living things only.
b. It deals with the study of non-living things only.
c. It deals with the study of living and non-living things.
d. None of the above.
3. This branch of geology explains the process and operation of the earth’s
ground.
a. Historical geology c. Physical geology
b. Analytical geology d. None of the above
4. Solar system is believed to be made up of rotating cloud gas and dust
called_____.
a. Dark matter b. Radiation c. Solar flare d. Solar nebula
5. What do you call the dynamic mass of water that continuously flow the entire
planet.
a. Atmosphere b. Biosphere c. Hydrosphere d. Lithosphere

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Lesson

1 Introduction to Earth Science

What’s In

Direction. In a separate sheet of paper, write your stand about the argument on
flat earth or middle earth. You might agree or negate the issue but be sure to
support your stand with at least five (5) explanations.

What is It

1.1 Definition of Earth Science

A branch of physical science that deals with the study of Earth and its

neighbours.

1.1.2 Main branches

Table 1. Main Branches of Earth Science

Name Focus
Geology Earth
Oceanography Oceans
Meteorology Atmosphere
Astronomy Universe

1.2 The Solar System

1.2.1 Formation
• The solar system is composed of eight planets.
Four of these planets are categorized as inner
planets and another four are considered outer
planets.
• Inner planets or terrestrial planets are
Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars, while outer
planets which are also called giant planets are
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. They https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Solar
are separated by an Asteroid Belt. Asteroids _system_scale_edit.jpg
are irregularly shaped bodies with diameter of
several hundreds of kilometers or less which
is a zone comprised between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
• Sun is not a satellite. Its shaped is round and unlike planets, its
gravitational field is too weak to have cleared its orbit and objects
of comparable size can share the same orbital path.

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1.3 Theories
Here are some important observations that give significant data on how
our solar system formed:
• All planets are revolving around the sun in the same counterclockwise
direction.
• Except for the planet Mercury, the orbits of all planets are semi-circular that
lie in the same plane which coincides with the sun’s equatorial plane.
• Satellites in orbit around planets are revolving in the same counterclockwise
direction.
• The Inner planets are smaller, denser and mostly rocky; the outer planets
are larger and mostly made of gas or ice.
1.3.1 Nebular Hypothesis
• Proposed by a German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804).
• It states that the solar system formed out of a rotating cloud of dust and
gas (or nebula) contracting under its own gravity.
• Nebula - are composed of gas, primarily hydrogen (H2) and helium (He),
and solid particles (dust), such as silicates, one of the most common
family of minerals on Earth, and ice particles (e.g. CO, CO2, H2O).
1.3.2 Formation of Sun
• The contracting nebula evolves into a fast-rotating, flattened disk, the
center of which is occupied by a dense and bright star in formation.
• The temperature inside the proto-star is so high that elements exist in
the form of atoms stripped of their electrons (plasma).
• When the temperature at the center of the disk reaches 12,000,000 ºC,
the hydrogen nuclei (protons) overcome electrostatic repulsion and begin
to fuse.
• This is the beginning of nuclear fusion, a chain reaction producing a
great amount of energy and responsible for our Sun’s heat.
• The start of nuclear fusion marks the birth of a new star.
1.3.4 Formation of the planets
• The region of the disk surrounding the proto-star is rich in dust and
gas. Dust particles collide and begin to aggregate into larger chunks of
matter. Larger chunks attract each other by gravity and form still larger
bodies called planetesimals (>1 km in diameter).
• These planetesimals attract each other and smaller objects crossing
their path, ultimately forming the planets of our solar system. Since
lighter, more volatile elements are blown away by the solar wind (stream
of charged particles) and the heat produced by the proto-star, the
planets forming in the outer region of the solar system are enriched in
gas and ice.
• They are the outer planets, also referred to as the giant planets (Jupiter,
Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune). Conversely, the planets forming in the
inner region of the solar system are composed mostly of rock consisting
of refractory (resistant to heat) components (e.g. silicates, iron, and
nickel).
• These planets are the inner planets, also called terrestrial or rocky
planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars).
1.3.5 The Earth
• Heat source on Earth were caused by; (1) The
impacts of meteorites and large planetesimals
(conversion of kinetic energy), (2) Radioactive decay
(still a source of heat today) (3) Gravitational
contraction (think about the “bicycle pump effect”)
• Earth’s atmosphere was caused by the;
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
(1) background.png
volcanic eruptions releasing gasses
trapped in the Earth’s interior and (2) extraterrestrial input of volatiles
from objects impacting the Earth (especially comets).

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1.3.6 The Moon
• Giant Impact Hypothesis is the most widely accepted theory on the
formation of moon. Below are the essential observations leading to this
theory;
▪ Earth is the only inner planet of the solar system with a large moon.
▪ The orbital plane of the Moon does not coincide with the orbital plane
of the Earth around the Sun or with the Earth’s equatorial plane.
▪ The Moon has a remarkably small iron core compared to the inner
planets.
▪ The Moon is much less dense (3.3 g/cm3) than the Earth (5.5 g/cm3 ).
The Moon’s density is close to that of the Earth’s mantle.
▪ There are very little light, volatile elements (including water) on the
Moon.

2.0 The Earth’s System

The earth system is itself an integrated system, but it can be subdivided
into four main components, sub-systems or spheres: the geosphere,
atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. These components are also systems in
their own right and they are tightly interconnected.
• The Earth’s Natural System
1. Climate System
2. Plate Tectonic System
3. Geodynamo System
• The Earth’s Four Major Spheres
1. Hydrosphere
2. Atmosphere
3. Geosphere
4. Biosphere
2.1 Atmosphere
• Consist of 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, and 0.04% Carbon Dioxide plus
other trace gases.
• The gaseous layer surrounding our planet.
• It receives energy from solar radiation which warms
the earth’s surface and is re-emitted and conducted to
the atmosphere.
• It also absorbs water from the earth’s surface via the
process of evaporation; it then acts to
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
redistribute heat and moisture across the
earth’s surface.
2.2 Hydrosphere
• Consists of water that exist in all types of forms.
• It includes: the earth’s oceans and seas; its ice sheets, sea ice and glaciers;
its lakes, rivers and streams; its atmospheric moisture and ice crystals;
and its areas of permafrost.
• This includes both saltwater and freshwater systems, and it also includes
the moisture found in the soil (soil water) and within rocks (groundwater).
2.3 Geosphere
• The solid part of our planet.
• The part of our planet that is composed of rock and minerals; it includes
the solid crust, the molten mantle and the liquid and solid parts of the
earth’s core.
• It is develop a layer of soil in which nutrients become available to living
organisms, and which thus provides an important ecological habitat and
the basis of many forms of life.

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2.4 Biosphere
• The section of our planet where life forms exist.
• Contains all living organisms and it is intimately related to the other three
spheres: most living organisms require gases from the atmosphere, water
from the hydrosphere and nutrients and minerals from the geosphere.
3.0 Flow of Matter and Energy
• The main components of the earth system are interconnected by flows
(also known as pathways or fluxes) of energy and materials.
• The most important flows in the earth system are those concerned with the
transfer of energy and the cycling of key materials in biogeochemical
cycles.
3.1 Biogeochemical Cycle
• The earth system contains several ‘great cycles’ in which key materials
are transported through the environment.
• These cycles mostly occur in closed systems; at the global scale, many
systems may be assumed to be closed because the earth receives
negligible quantities of minerals from space (as a result of meteorite
impacts) and because only limited quantities of materials can escape the
earth’s atmosphere.
• The key materials that cycle through the major biogeochemical cycles are
carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, phosphorous and sulphur – all of
which are essential for life.
3.1.1 Nitrogen Cycle
• This cycle is a relatively fast and highly complex.
• Since most of the atmosphere consists of gaseous nitrogen which is ‘fixed’
(in other words, made available for use by plants) biologically in soils.
3.1.2 Process
1. Soil bacteria then convert this nitrogen to ammonia; this, together with
inorganic nitrate, is absorbed by plant roots and converted to organic
compounds (such as proteins) in plant tissues.
2. These compounds are eaten by herbivores; in turn, nitrogenous
compounds are passed to carnivores, and they are ultimately returned to
the soil in the form of nitrogenous waste products (such as urine and
faeces) and as a result of the death and decomposition of organisms.
3. Bacteria then convert the organic nitrogen compounds into ammonia and
ammonium compounds, which are then converted by bacteria into nitrites
and then nitrates, which are then available for re-uptake by plants.
4. Some of the nitrogenous compounds that are not absorbed by plants are
leached from the soil into groundwater, surface water and ultimately into
seas and oceans. Of that nitrogenous material, some is used by aquatic
plants, some accumulates as organic sediment, and some evaporates into
the atmosphere.
5. The cycle is completed by denitrifying bacteria which eventually convert
nitrates and nitrites to ammonia, nitrogen and nitrogen oxides.
3.2.1 Carbon Cycle
• Carbon is stored in the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide, which
is absorbed by plants and converted to carbohydrates by the process of
photosynthesis.
3.2.2 Process
1. This cycle follows food chains, with carbohydrates being consumed by
herbivores and then carnivores, being metabolized during the process of
respiration.
2. Carbon dioxide is returned to the atmosphere as animals exhale and when
organic waste and dead organisms’ decay.
3. Vegetation and animals are thus important stores of carbon, although that
carbon may be rapidly returned to the atmosphere if vegetation is burned.
4. Atmospheric carbon dioxide is soluble in water, in which it forms carbonic
acid, which forms bicarbonate ions and carbonate ions, which in turn form
salts (such as the insoluble calcium carbonate, which accumulates in

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 marine sediments, marine organisms and carbonate rocks, such as
limestone).
5. Carbon is typically stored in these forms until it is released to the
atmosphere by chemical weathering.
3.3.1 Sulphur Cycle
• Sulphur is released into the atmosphere during volcanic eruptions (in the
forms of sulphurous gas, dust and particles) and as a result of the
weathering of rocks.
• The oceans also play an important role in the sulphur cycle, as marine
phytoplankton produce dimethyl sulphide, some of which enters the
atmosphere and is converted to sulphur dioxide and sulphate aerosols.
• These compounds are ultimately converted to sulphuric acid and are
deposited on the earth’s surface in precipitation.
• In terrestrial ecosystems, bacteria break down sulphurous compounds
and release the sulphur to the atmosphere again, mainly in the form of
hydrogen sulphide.

What’s More

Direction. Answer what is asked.

A. In a separate sheet of paper, fill in the correct description of the branches of
Earth Science.
a. Layers of gases wherein heat and moisture are distributed.
b. Contains both fluid water and ice systems.
c. Consists of earth’s crust.
d. Mostly present in the shallow surface of the earth.
1. Atmosphere: ___ 2. Hydrosphere: ___ 3. Geosphere: ___ 4. Biosphere: ___

B. Make a concept map of any of the following.

1. Carbon Cycle 2. Nitrogen Cycle 3. Sulphur Cycle

What I Have Learned

Direction. Encircle the letter of your choice.

A. Are you confident that you learn the important lessons on this module?
1. I can easily explain the earth science and its main branches.
a. I cant do this. c. I can do some of this
b. I can do most of this d. I can do all of this
2. I can describe the four main components of Earth’s System
a. I cant do this. c. I can do some of this
b. I can do most of this d. I can do all of this
3. It is easy for me to explain how matter and energy flows from the
components of Earth’s System.
a. I cant do this. c. I can do some of this
b. I can do most of this d. I can do all of this

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 What I Can Do

Direction. In a separate sheet of paper, write your stand about the argument on
flat earth or middle earth. You might agree or negate the issue but be sure to
support your stand with at least five (5) explanations.

Assessment

Direction. Answer the following questions using a separate sheet of paper.

1. Define Earth Science and give the main branches with short description.
2. Describe the four main components of the Earth.
3. Describe each geochemical cycle that happens on earth.

Answer Key

1. Earth science is a branch of physical science that deals with the study of
earth and its neighbors. The main branches of earth science are geology or the
study of solid earth, oceanography or the study of oceans and alike, astrology
the study of things outside earth’s boundaries, and meteorology that deals with
the study of atmosphere and how it works.
2. The four main components of earth are atmosphere which is the gaseous
part, hydrosphere or the water part, geosphere of the solid part, and the
biosphere or the part that consist of life forms.
3. Carbon cycle follows respiration process that happens in biosphere, nitrogen
cycle deals with the chemical transformation of this element that happens on
every stage. Living things such as bacteria plays an important role on this cycle.
Sulphur cycle mostly done in geosphere together on its process.

References
Edward, J., J.Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis Tasa. (2004). Earth
Science. California, U.S.A.,Prentice Hall

Frederick K. Lutgens, Edward J. Tarbuck, Dennis G. Tasa (2016). Foundations

of Earth Science. Washington, D.C. Pearson Publishing Comp. Inc.
Engelhardt, W.V., Zimmerman, JZ., (1988). Theory of Earth Science, Cup
Archive