Characteristics of the Solar System

A hypothetical solar system is shown on the diagram provided. In this solar system, the habitable zone is 240 million and 300 million km away from the star. Which of these planets could support life?

• Planet W

• Planet X

• Planet Y

• Planet Z

All of the following characteristics of Jupiter’s moon, Europa, are conditions that make it suitable for supporting life EXCEPT -

• water on the surface.

• oxygen in the atmosphere.

• gravity on the surface.

• surface temperature of -260ºF.

Earth’s atmosphere contains water vapor and carbon dioxide. These greenhouse gases are important because they –

• are substances animals need to breathe.

• trap thermal energy in the atmosphere.

• protect against magnetic particles.

• create Earth’s gravitational field.

A planet’s ability to support life is partly determined by its orbit around the Sun, which is a result of the combination of the planet’s momentum, and the Sun’s -

• absolute luminosity.

• gaseous composition.

• high temperature.

• gravitational pull.

The ozone layer is degraded by certain chemicals that create holes in the ozone layer. If the presence of these chemicals significantly increases, it is reasonable to predict that organisms would -

• have a difficult time breathing.

• experience colder temperatures.

• be more exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

• run out of drinking water.

Scientists are constantly exploring the universe, looking for new planets that support life similar to the life on Earth. A new planet that supports life would be expected to have all of the following characteristics EXCEPT –

• a gaseous atmosphere.

• an orbiting moon.

• liquid water.

• protection from radiation.

The Sun releases streams of charged particles called solar wind. What protects living organisms on Earth from the harmful effects of solar wind?

• High-level clouds

• The ozone layer

• The magnetosphere

• Ocean reflectivity

Life on Earth depends on energy from –

• the Sun.

• the Moon.

• volcanoes.

• comets.

The ozone layer protects life on Earth by –

• deflecting small meteors.

• creating gravitational pull.

• absorbing ultraviolet radiation.

• blocking solar winds.

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.