Primary Connections: Linking science with literacy
© State of Victoria (Department of Education, Employment and Training) |
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Earth Earth is the only terrestrial planet whose name was not received by Greek mythology. Earth is instead of English/German origin. Earth is the only planet where life has definitely been detected (the jury is still out on Mars!). Large quantities of both oxygen and water are present, in fact over 70% of the Earth's surface is covered with water. Beneath the surface, Earth is known to have a large core, most likely made up of iron. At the centre of the core, temperatures may reach as high as 7750°C, hotter than the surface of the Sun. The existence of this core, and Earth's many other layers, particularly the mantle, make it the densest major body in our Solar System.
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