THE SOLAR

SYSTEM
Prepared by:
Ms. Joyce
Orion Arm
The solar system is composed of the
sun and the eight planets: Mercury,
Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn,
Uranus and Neptune.

Each of the planets has different

characteristics.
They are also
classified as
inner planets
and outer
planets.
What are the inner planets?

The first four planets: Mercury, Venus,

Earth and Mars are called terrestrial or
inner planets.
Inner Planets
1. They are solid and are mostly made up
of rocks and metal; they do not have rings.
2. They are closer to the sun.
3. Earth has one moon, Mars has two
moons, Mercury and Venus has none.
4. They have common features such as
mountains and volcanoes.
 Inner Planets
Mercury
- The smallest planet in the solar
system; nearest to the sun.
- It is slightly larger than the
earth’s moon.
- 430 degree Celsius at day,
180 degree Celsius at night.
- It has no atmosphere; it has no
moons.
 Venus Inner Planets

- Known as “Twin” of the earth because

of its size.
- It is the hottest planet in the solar
system with surface temperature of 465
degree Celsius
- It has thick atmosphere of CO2 with clouds of
sulphuric acid
- It has no moons. Volcanoes, mountains, and
valleys were observed.
 Inner Planets
Earth
- It is also known as watery planet, because 70% of
its surface is covered by water.
- It orbits the Sun once in about 365
days.
- It rotates about its own axis, thus
creating day and night. 24 hours.
- It revolves around the sun, due to
its tilt, seasons are created.
 Inner Planets
Earth
- It has an atmosphere
which prevents too much
heat or UV rays from
Sun reaching earth.
- It has one satellite: moon
- The only planet having life.
 Inner Planets
Mars
- It is often describe as the “Red Planet,” as the iron
oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish
appearance.
- It has two satellites (moons).
- The atmosphere of Mars consist of
about 95% carbon dioxide, 3%
nitrogen, 1.6% argon, and contains
some oxygen and water.
What are the outer planets?

The last four planets: Jupiter, Saturn,

Uranus and Neptune are called outer or
Jovian planets. They are gas giants.
Outer Planets
1. They are called gas giants because they are
much larger than other planets and are mostly
made up of gas.
2. They are set-apart from the terrestrial
planets by the asteroid belt.
3. They have rings and moons. Saturn has
the most prominent ring.
4. Uranus and Neptune are also called
ice giants.
 Outer Planets
Jupiter
- It is the largest planet in the solar system.
- Has an ever-changing
whirlpool of storms known as
the Great Red Spot.
- Jupiter rotates faster than
any other planet.
- It has between 80 and 95 moons.
 Outer Planets
Saturn
- The second largest planet after Jupiter.
- Saturn has the most spectacular
ring system, with seven rings and
several gaps and divisions
between them.
- Just like Mercury, Venus, Mars
and Jupiter, it can also be seen
by the naked eyes.
 Outer Planets
Uranus
- Known as sideways
planet
- It is very cold planet. It
receives 370 times less
sunlight than Earth as it is
far away from sun.
- It has 27 known satellites
 Outer Planets
Neptune
- Most distant and most
windy gas planet
- It cannot be seen with
naked eye.
- It makes a complete orbit around the Sun (a
year in Neptunian time) in about 165 Earth
years (60,190 Earth days).
THE SOLAR
SYSTEM
EARTH AND
THE EARTH
SYSTEMS
Earth is the only planet in
our solar system that is
known to sustain life.
What do you think are the
reasons?
 FOUR CATEGORIES

Temperature Atmosphere

Energy Nutrients
 TEMPERATURE
Temperature plays a major role in
making earth a habitable planet as the
earth is the third planet from the sun.
It has an average temperature
of 15 to 17 degrees Celsius which
is suitable for life to exist.
The Earth is not too cold like Neptune and not
too hot like Mercury.

Too hot! Just right! Too cold!

 ATMOSPHERE
It is a security blanket that protects
our planet from various harmful influences.
Earth's atmosphere
is composed of about 78%
nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and
one percent other gases.
The Earth has no thick atmosphere like
Jupiter, and has no thin atmosphere like Mars.

Too thick! Just right! Too thin!

 Energy

With a steady input of either light or

chemical energy, cells can run the
chemical reactions necessary for life.
 Nutrients
Used to build and maintain an organism’s
body.
All solid planets and moons have the same
general chemical makeup, so nutrients are
present. Those with a water cycle or volcanic
activity can transport and replenish the
chemicals required by living organisms.
EARTH’S
SUBSYSTEM
1. ATMOSPHERE
- It is the gaseous layer above the
earth’s surface.
1% Trace gases
78% Nitrogen
(carbon dioxide,
methane,
hydrogen, etc.)

21% Oxygen
LAYERS OF THE
ATMOSPHERE

Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere

Thermosphere

Exosphere
2. BIOSPHERE
- the ozone of earth where all forms
of life exist; in the seas, on land, and in
water. The zone that life inhabits.
- it is sometimes
called as the large
ecosystem.
3. GEOSPHERE
- the solid Crust

Earth, consisting Mantle

Outer Core
of the entire planet Inner Core

from the center to

the outer crust.
4. HYDROSPHERE
- The water part of the
earth which circulates among
the oceans, continents and
glaciers, and atmosphere.
Oceans cover 71% of the
Earth and contain 97.5% of
its water.
Points to Remember:
1. Atmosphere – air
2. Biosphere – living things
3. Geosphere – land
4. Hydrosphere – water
 Practice Activity: SUBSYSTEM
Directions: Tell whether it is the atmosphere,
biosphere, geosphere, or hydrosphere.

1. Mountain 4. Flock of bird

2. Ocean 5. Strong wind
3. Rain
Scientists break down Earth’s major
system into four: atmosphere,
biosphere, geosphere and
hydrosphere. These system interact
in multiple ways to affects Earth’s
surface materials and processes.
 Activity 1
Directions: Choose the systems that are
working together to create the following
phenomenon.
Example: Wind sweeps
across the deserts raising Atmosphere &
giant sandstorms that Geosphere
change the landscape.
1. A mountain range blocks rainfall from
reaching an area, making it a dry desert
biome.

2. A sudden rainstorm in the desert can

cause flooding and severe erosion,
changing the landscape.
3. Volcanic vents in the ocean create
habitats for creatures that live in or near
the intense heat.
4. The troposphere is where evaporating
water from the ocean forms clouds and
precipitation.
5. Wave action from strong winds causes
the coastline to erode.
 Activity 2
Directions: Explain
how the four
earth’s subsystems
relate to each
other.