CHAPTER 2 A Living Planet

Earth Third planet from the sun Distance from the sun= 93 million miles

Our Solar System Consists of nine known planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune & Pluto). Consists of nine known planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune & Pluto). Pluto is now being termed a dwarf planet because it is so small compared to the other eight planets. Pluto is now being termed a dwarf planet because it is so small compared to the other eight planets.

There are other celestial bodies that orbit the sun in our solar system There are other celestial bodies that orbit the sun in our solar system Celestial- of or related to the sky or visible heavens. Celestial- of or related to the sky or visible heavens. In our solar system there are comets and asteroids that orbit space. In our solar system there are comets and asteroids that orbit space.

Mercury 1 st planet ( One third the size of earth) 1 st planet ( One third the size of earth)

Venus 2 nd planet from the sun and hottest in solar system. 2 nd planet from the sun and hottest in solar system.

Earth 3 rd planet from the sun. (Only planet that can support the human race). 3 rd planet from the sun. (Only planet that can support the human race).

Mars 4 th planet (known as the “Red Planet”) 4 th planet (known as the “Red Planet”)

Jupiter 5 th and largest planet in solar system 5 th and largest planet in solar system

Saturn 6 th planet (Could fit earth in this planet over 9 times) 6 th planet (Could fit earth in this planet over 9 times)

Uranus 7 th planet from the sun (Has the least mass of all planets) 7 th planet from the sun (Has the least mass of all planets)

Neptune 8 th planet (This planet has eight different moons). 8 th planet (This planet has eight different moons).

Pluto 9 th planet from the sun (Smallest of all the planets). 9 th planet from the sun (Smallest of all the planets).

The Earth’s Structure Core- the earth’s center, made up of iron and nickel. Mantel- a rock layer about 1,800 miles thick that is between the earth’s crust and the earth’s core. Crust- the thin rock layer making up the earth’s surface.

Lithosphere- the solid rock portion of the earth’s surface. Lithosphere- the solid rock portion of the earth’s surface. Atmosphere- the layers of gases immediately surrounding the earth. Atmosphere- the layers of gases immediately surrounding the earth.

Biosphere- the part of the earth where plants and animals live. Biosphere- the part of the earth where plants and animals live. Hydrosphere- the waters comprising the earth’s surface (oceans, seas, rivers & lakes). Hydrosphere- the waters comprising the earth’s surface (oceans, seas, rivers & lakes).

Pangaea Comes from a Greek word meaning “all earth”.

Continental Drift The hypothesis that all continents were once joined into a supercontinent that split apart over millions of years. The hypothesis that all continents were once joined into a supercontinent that split apart over millions of years.