TEN FACTS ABOUT EARTH

FACT ONE~
Earth is the only planet in the Solar System to
have water in its three states of matter: as a
solid (ice), a liquid (sea, rain, etc.) and as a gas
(clouds). These are all shown below. Water is, of
course, the most important liquid for life.

FACT TWO~
Earth is almost five billion years old, although life
(resembling life as we know it) has only existed
on the planet for the last 150 million to 200
million years. This means that life has only been
present on Earth for only 5%-10% of its lifetime.

FACT THREE~
Earth and Mercury are the two most dense
planets in the Solar System. This means that
particles inside the planet are most closely
packed together.

FACT FOUR~
The length of time it takes for Earth to orbit the
Sun is 365 and a quarter days. To make up this
extra quarter which isn't counted at the end of a
year, we have an extra day every four years on
29th February. The next Leap Year will be in
2012.

FACT FIVE~
Earth is gradually slowing down. Every few years,
an extra second is added to make up for lost
time. Millions of years ago, a day on Earth will
have been 20 hours long. It is believed that, in
millions of years time, a day on Earth will be 27
hours long.

FACT SIX~
The centre of the Earth, its core, is molten. This
means that it is liquid rock which sometimes
erupts onto the surface through volcanic
eruptions. This core is 7,500°c, hotter than the
surface of the Sun !

FACT SEVEN~
Earth is the only planet in the Solar System not
to be named after a mythical God.

FACT EIGHT~
Despite being called Earth, only 29% of the
surface is actually 'earth.' The rest of the
planet's surface (71%) is made up of water.

FACT NINE~
From a distance, Earth would be the brightest of
the planets. This is because sunlight is reflected
off the planet's water.

FACT TEN~
Earth is the only planet in the Solar System
known to be geologically active, with Earthquakes
and volcanoes forming the landscape, replenishing
carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and erasing
impact craters from meteors.

Thank you.