7.9AB Sustaining Life on and out of Earth

Which of the following characteristics of Jupiter best explains why Jupiter does not support life, while Earth does? Jupiter -

• has four moons that orbit the planet.

• has virtually no water on the surface.

• rotates on its axis once every 10 hours.

• orbits the Sun once every 12 years.

Which of the following characteristics of a planet will have the greatest influence on determining whether or not its temperature will be suitable to support life?

• The amount of its gravitational force.

• The number and size of active volcanoes.

• The tilt of the axis of rotation of the planet.

• The distance from the Sun of its orbit.

Which of the following data could be collected about a planet in a distant planetary system, which might give scientists information about whether or not life exists on that planet?

• The number of other planets in the system.

• How long the planet takes to rotate.

• The orbit length of the planet.

• The presence of an atmospheric ozone layer.

If Earth were much smaller than it is now, it would not support life because it would not have enough mass to -

• collect needed radiant energy from the Sun.

• maintain a gravitational pull on the Moon.

• have sufficient gravity to hold an atmosphere.

• rotate on its axis once per day.

Ozone contributes to supporting life on earth by blocking -

• ultraviolet light.

• water vapor.

• helium ions.

• atmospheric heat.

Which of the following discoveries about Mars suggests conditions that may have once supported life? Mars has –

• the tallest mountain in the solar system.

• two moons orbiting the planet.

• only a small amount of atmosphere.

• small amounts of water in the soil.

The habitable zone for the star in the diagram shown is between 200 and 250 million km away from the star. Which of the planets shown in the diagram can support life?

• Planet W

• Planet X

• Planet Y

• Planet Z

Space stations require an oxygen system because the atmosphere in space -

• is airless.

• is poisonous.

• smells bad.

• is humid.

Which of the following accommodations on the space station is used by astronauts to combat the effects of microgravity on their bones?

• Special handles

• Velcro® straps

• Exercise equipment

• Oxygen system

Radios are not required for astronauts to talk to each other when they are in the same room inside the space station because –

• the space station is filled with air that carries sound waves.

• astronauts keep their helmets on inside the space station.

• computers are used to communicate inside the station.

• astronauts communicate with sign language inside the station.