UNIT 1

Our World: Earth as a Planet

Subtopic: LP 1- Shape of the Earth,
Proof that the earth is spherical in
shape - Sighting of a ship, The
Bedford Level Experiment, Pole star,
Satellite pictures
Session Duration: 35 Minutes
EARTH AS A PLANET
 Watery
Planet

Solar
Meteorites
System

Important
Terms
Comets Planets

Asteroids Satellites
 Proof that the Earth is spherical

Sighting of a ship

The Bedford Level Experiment

Pole star

Satellite pictures
Sighting of the ship
How do we know that the Earth is
round?
Bedford Level Experiment
Position of the Pole star
Satellite picture of the Earth
 Proof that the Earth is spherical
Lunar Eclipse

Circular Horizon

Circumnavigation

Sunrise and Sunset

The Earth as a Heavenly Body

Circular Horizon
Sunrise and Sunset
 Definition of Oblate Spheroid

The diameter of the earth varies at the Equator

and at the poles.
This difference in diameter is due to the
centrifugal force of earth’s rotation at great
speed which forms a bulge at the equator and a
compression at the poles.
Hence it is known as an’ Oblate Spheroid’.
The shape of the earth is also described as
‘Geoid’
 So, tell us what makes you a
unique planet?

1. The distance that I am at from the Sun is suitable for life. It is neither to hot
nor too cold.

2. I have an average temperature of 170 C which is suitable for life to exist.

3. The layer of air that I am surrounded by is called atmosphere and is made up

of life supporting gases.

4. 70% of my body is made up of water which helps absorb excess heat.

5. The remaining 30% is solid crust, which helps in maintaining the layer of
fertile soil through weathering.
Water Cycle
 Lithosphere
 Solid Crust
 Soil provides various nutrients necessary for the growth of plants,
which in turn support all the forms of animal life directly or indirectly.
Biosphere
 Heterotrophs
(Consumers)

Herbivores
(Plant Eaters)
Autotrophs
(Producers)

Nutrition Cycle

Abiotics

Carnivores
(Flesh Eaters)

Saprotrophs
(Decomposers)
Carbon Cycle
 Other Cycles

The other cycles like the oxygen cycle and the

nitrogen cycle emphasize the inter relationships
and interdependence of all living as well as non
living things.