The Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only known astronomical object to harbor life. It is home to a wide variety of ecosystems, including oceans, forests, deserts, and more.
The Earth is composed of several layers:
The Earth's atmosphere is a layer of gases that surrounds the planet. It is composed primarily of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%), with trace amounts of other gases such as carbon dioxide and water vapor.
The hydrosphere refers to all the water on Earth, including water bodies like oceans, rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Water is essential for supporting life and shaping the Earth's surface through processes like erosion and weathering.
The Earth is constantly undergoing geological processes that shape its surface, including:
When studying Earth science, it's important to: