The Earth

The Sun And Life On Earth

For billions of years, Earth has had everything needed to support life. Life needs oxygen to breathe, water and the right temperature. It also needs a certain amount of gravity to keep us on the ground.

Neither too near, nor too far

The Earth is just the right distance from the sun for us to live on it. If we were any closer Mercury or Venus, it would be too hot for life. If we were further away, it would be too cold for life.

Breathe in, breathe out

Living things are aerobic creatures. This means, they breathe in air. Earth has had oxygen from the time it was created. The atmosphere around the Earth is just right for living creatures to breathe in. It is neither too heavy, nor too light. Apart from oxygen, it contains other important elements that life needs, like nitrogen and hydrogen. Some other planets, like Mars, have more of the poisonous gas carbon dioxide than the Earth does.

The evolution

Early life is believed to have begun in the oceans as simple, single-cell organisms called protista. Fungi and algae are Protists. As time went by and the Earth cooled, life spread across it. Living creatures also grew in size and became diverse (more different) from each other. 

-All living things are made up, in some part, of the element carbon. This is formed when matter burns. Earth had this too, from its explosive birth. Early Earth was so hot that there were many volcanoes that threw up more carbon. 

-The force of gravity keeps you in place. It also holds the Earth's atmosphere! Smaller planets like Mercury have no atmosphere.

-The temperature on Earth is suitable for life. 

-Water supports life. In its natural form, it has no harmful chemicals so we can drink it and forms of life can swim in it.

DID YOU KNOW?

The part of Earth that has life on it is called the ecosphere. 

FACT: A green Earth makes a healthier environment.