Position in the Solar System
- Earth is the 3rd planet from the Sun.
Length of a Year: 365 days
Length of a Day: 24 hours
Orbital speed: About 29.78 km/s (67,000 mph)
Rotation: 23 hours 56 minutes
(reason for leap year)
Size & Diameter: about 7,900 miles (12,742 km).
Temperature: Average temperature: about 59°F (15°C).
Gravity: Normal gravity (100%)
Mass
- 5.97 × 10²⁴ kg
Surface gravity
- 9.81 m/s²
Density: densest planet in the solar system.
- 5.51 g/cm³
Moons: Luna
Space Station: International Spacestation
Water: About 71% of Earth is covered in water.
Life
- Earth is the only known planet with life.
Examples of life:
- Humans
- Animals
- Plants
- Bacteria
Atmosphere
Earth’s atmosphere is composed mainly of:
- 78% nitrogen
- 21% oxygen
- ~1% other gases (argon, carbon dioxide, etc.)
The atmosphere protects life by:
- Absorbing harmful radiation
- Regulating temperature
- Supporting the water cycle
Temperature
Global average surface temperature
- About 15°C (59°F)
Temperatures vary depending on:
- Latitude
- Season
- Altitude
- Ocean currents
Moon
Earth has 1 natural satellite:
The Moon
Key lunar stats:
- Distance from Earth: ~384,400 km
- Orbital period: 27.3 days
The Moon influences:
- Ocean tides
- Earth’s axial stability
- Long-term climate stability
Magnetic Field
Earth has a strong global magnetic field produced by its liquid iron outer core.
This magnetic field:
- Deflects solar wind
- Helps protect the atmosphere from erosion
- Creates auroras (northern and southern lights).
Mostly Ocean
Largest Landmass
- Gaia
- America
- Antarctica
- Greenland and Artic Circle
- Australia
Periodic Table
- Oxygen (O)
- Silicon (Si)
- Aluminum (Al)
- Iron (Fe)
- Calcium (Ca)
- Sodium (Na)
- Magnesium (Mg)
- Potassium (K)
- Titanium (Ti)
- Hydrogen (H)
- Carbon (C) (trace in crust, abundant in biosphere)
- Sulfur (S)
- Nickel (Ni) (more abundant in Earth’s bulk/core than crust)