GRADE

12 Global Technical School

of Zamboanga Inc.
“Unveiling Quality Education Internationally”
ISABELA CITY CAMPUS

EARTH AND LIFE

SCIENCES

Modules

NAME:
GRADE/SECTION:

Nuhman S. Mohammad
Subject Teacher
 MODULE: EARTH AND LIIFE SCIENCE

PART

1 Earth Science

Introduction
Earth Science is the study of our Earth, its life-supporting properties, materials and
geologic processes occurring in its layers; and important natural changes in its over-all
environment. It is interrelated with other sciences: geology, oceanography, meteorology
and astronomy.
Geology is the study of the materials and processes that operate beneath and upon
the Earth’s surface.
Oceanography is the study of the composition and movements of seawater, as well
as coastal processes, seafloor topography, and marine life.
Meteorology deals with the study of the atmosphere and the elements that produce
weather and climate.
Astronomy is the study of the universe, our planet’s origin, and the members of the
solar system.
Earth Science likewise requires an understanding and application of knowledge and
principles from physics, chemistry, and biology.
The study of Earth Science develops an understanding of the earth’s structure,
composition, and natural processes that from significant part of one’s environment. The
learners are expected to recognize and appreciate the importance of sunlight, resources
such as water and soil, and nonmetallic minerals; and atmospheric conditions favoring
comfortable existence and growth in current environment.
Investigate in Earth Sciences include analyses of phenomena that range in size
from atoms to galaxies and beyond.
Learn more about Mother Earth in the following chapters.
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1
MODULE: EARTH AND LIIFE SCIENCE

Learning Outcomes
1. Recognize the uniqueness of Earth, being the only planet in the solar
system with properties necessary to support life.
2. Identify the different subsystem of the Earth.
3. Determine the Physical and Chemical properties of some common minerals.

Our Earth is the only place in the universe that can support life. It is a modest-
sized planet that orbits an average-size star. Life on Earth is ubiquitous; it is found in
boiling mudpots and hot spring, in the deep oceans and even under Antarctic ice sheet.
Many continental areas are too steep, too high, or too cold for humans to inhabit. Yet,
Earth is so hospitable to life.

Our planet has molten metallic core which enables it to hold a magnetic field.
This magnetic field prevents lethal cosmic rays from showering its surface and stripping
Earth’s atmosphere.
It has liquid water and an active water cycle exist. Earth’s proximity to a modest-size
star, the sun, allowed enough time for the evolution of humans. Earth’s primitive
atmosphere was composed mostly of water vapor and carbon dioxide without free
oxygen. Fortunately, microorganisms evolved that released oxygen into the atmosphere
by the process of photosynthesis. About 2.2 billion years ago an atmosphere with free
oxygen came into existence. The oxygen rich atmosphere that makes higher life forms
possible developed.

EARTH SUBSYSTEM
. The physical environment of our Earth is traditionally divided into three major sphere:
the water portion, the hydrosphere, the gaseous envelop, the atmosphere, and the solid
part, the geosphere.

a.) Hydrosphere
 A dynamic mass of water that is continuously moving, evaporating from the
oceans to the atmosphere, precipitating to the land, and returning to the ocean.
The global oceans is the most prominent feature of the hydrosphere, blanketing
nearly 71 percent of Earth’s surface to an average depth of about 3,800 meters.
The hydrosphere also includes the fresh water in streams, lakes, and glaciers as
well as that found underground.

b.) Atmosphere
 MODULE: EARTH AND LIIFE SCIENCE

 A very shallow layer. One half lies below an altitude of 5.6kilometers, and 90
percent occurs within 16kilometers of Earth’s surface. This thin blanket of air
provides us with air that we breathe. It also protects us from the sun’s dangerous
ultraviolet radiation.

c.) Geosphere
 It extend from the surface to the center of the planet, a depth of 6,400 kilometers,
being the largest of the four sphere. Most surface features give us a clue of the
dynamic processes occurring at the Earth’s interior. Soil, the thin layer of
materials on the surface, support the growth of plants. It contains the solid
portion, a mixture of a weathered rock and organic matter from decayed plants
and animals.

d.) Biosphere
 Includes all life on Earth. Ocean life is concentrated in the sunlit waters of the
sea. Most life is on the surface, with tree roots and borrowing animals reaching a
few meters underground. Flying insects and birds reach kilometres above. Plants
and animals depend on the physical environment for the basic life; likewise, they
help and maintain balance in the ecosystem through countless ecological
interactions.

Physical and Chemical properties of some common minerals.

Physical Properties
To classify a mineral resources, the minerals in the rock should first be
identified. Minerals can be identified through their physical properties.

1.Color
 The most evident characteristic of and is usually the first property used to identify
minerals. It is a result of the way minerals absorb light.
 When mineral absorb all the color of spectrum except that of a certain color, the
mineral will appear in that color.

2.Streak
 The color of the mineral in powder form.
 Usually the mineral is rubbed on a streak pathe to determine its color.

3. Hardness
 The measures of the mineral’s resistance to scratching.
 To quantify the hardness of a mineral, the Mohs Scale is used.
 The harder the mineral, the less prone to scratches.
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4. Cleavage and Fracture

 Cleavage and fracture are used to describe how minerals break into pieces.

5. Magnetism
 Indicates the ability of the mineral to attract and repel other materials.

6. Tenacity
 The mineral’s ability to hold its particles together or the mineral’s level of
resistance to stress such as bending, breaking, crushing, or tearing.
 It indicate if the material is brittle, elastic, malleable, etc.

7. Luster
 Show how much light is reflected in a mineral.
 This depends on the brilliance of light used to observe the surface of the mineral.

8. Odor
 The distinct smell of a mineral that is usually released from a chemical reaction
manifested when the mineral is subjected to water, heat, air and friction.
 Sulfur, for example smells like what is emitted when lighting a match.

9. Specific Gravity
 It is the measure of the density of the mineral.
 It determine how heavy the mineral is by its weight to water.

Chemical Properties
Chemical properties of minerals show the presence and arrangement of atoms in
minerals..

1. Silicate Class- largest group of 5. Oxide Class- most important class to

minerals. human civilization.
 Contains silicon and oxygen, with  Carry histories of changes in
some aluminium, magnesium, iron Earth’s magnetic field.
and calcium.  Precipitate close to Earth’s
 surface.
Examples:
 Olivine Examples:
 Pyroxene  Hematite
 Amphibole  Corundum
 Muscovite
6. Sulphide Class- contains most of the
2. Carbonate Class- deposited in marine economically significant minerals to man.
environment.  Includes, copper, lead, and zinc.
 Shell of dead planktons
 Places with high evaporation rate Examples:
 In karts and caves  Alcanthite
 Chalcocite
Examples:
 Aragonite 7. Phosphate Class- important biological
 Calcite minerals.
 Malachite  Found in bones and teeth of
animals (Phosphorus)
3. Sulphate Class- where salty waters
slowly evaporate. Examples:
 MODULE: EARTH AND LIIFE SCIENCE

 Places with high evaporation rates  Turquoise

 Water-sediments  Wavellite

Examples: 8. Elements Class- contains pure native

 Barite elements.
 Gypsum  Usually metals
 Pure form
4. Halide Class- contains natural salt.
 In lakes, ponds, and other Examples:
landlocked seas.  Gold
 Copper
Examples:  Bismuth
 Halite
 Flourite

Challenge Yourself

Directions: Read carefully each item and encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which does not support the idea that our Earth is the only place in the universe that
can support life.

a. Plant and animals enable to reproduce on Earth.

b. Respiration is possible on Earth.
c. The presence of Oxygen and carbon dioxide on Earth.
d. Only non-living things can stay on Earth.

2. Our planet has molten metallic core which enables it to hold a magnetic field. Which
of the following statement is not true?

a. All birds can fly on air.

b. Human can swim on the sea.
c. Everything thrown into the air still falls to the ground.
d. Human can walk on land.

3. What year do an atmosphere with free oxygen came into existence?

a. 1.2 million years ago.

b. 2.2 million years ago
c. 1.2 billion years ago.
d. 2.2 billion years ago.
4. Which of the following is NOT one of the four major geological subsystem of the
Earth?
 MODULE: EARTH AND LIIFE SCIENCE

a. Biosphere
b. Hydrosphere
c. Watersphere
d. Geosphere

5. Which geological subsystem is comprised of all the waters on Earth, including

subsurface and atmospheric water?

a. Geosphere
b. Hydrosphere
c. Biosphere
d. Atmosphere

6. Which subsystem contains all living organism of Earth, including those on the land, in
the water and air?

a. Biosphere
b. Hydrosphere
c. Atmosphere
d. Geosphere

7. Mohs Scale is used to test the _______ of the minerals?

a. Hardness
b. Odor
c. Color
d. Tenacity

8. What physical properties of mineral wherein it determines how heavy minerals is by

its weight to water?

a. Cleavage and Fracture

b. Luster
c. Specific gravity
d. Streak

9. It is the color of minerals in powder form?

a. Tenacity
b. Color
c. Streak
d. Odor
10. Stalactites and stalagmites are found in cave. In what class of minerals do they
belong?

a. Halide class
b. Carbonate class
c. Oxide class
d. Silicate class

11. Which class of minerals contains metals and intermetallic elements such as gold,
silver and copper?

a. Silicate class
b. Sulphate class
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c. Elements class
d. Carbonate class

12. Which among the classes of minerals contains phosphorus and is considered an
important biological mineral found in the teeth and bones of many animals?

a. Elements class
b. Sulphide class
c. Phosphate class
d. Sulphate class

13. What class of minerals is considered as the largest and most abundant?

a. Sulphate class
b. Silicate class
c. Sulphide class
d. Oxide class

14. Which of the following groups of minerals is the most important to human
civilization?

a. Oxide class
b. Silicate class
c. Sulfate class
d. Halide class

15. What is the largest system?

a. Biosphere
b. Geosphere
c. Hydrosphere
d. Atmosphere