features of earth

• mass


  prevented most gases from escaping into space

  -> includes carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen

  high atmospheric pressure to prevent all liquid from boiling
• distance from the sun

  too close or too far would prevent liquid water from being present

  
  

  day/night cycle was fast enough to minimise excessive heating or cooling

  
  

  in the Goldilocks zone -> 150,000,000 km away from the sun
• axis of rotation


  at an angle around the sun to produce seasonal variations
• speed of rotation


  24 hour period reduces temperature extremes
• magnetic field


  molten layers beneath the crust produce the earths magnetic field that deflects solar wind