Investigating Characteristics of the Solar System

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.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

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.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

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

• small amounts of water in the soil.

• the tallest mountain in the solar system.

• two moons orbiting the planet.

• only a small amount of atmosphere.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

An area that deflects and traps harmful particles; resulting from an interaction of Earth's magnetic field with solar "wind" (charged plasma) streaming from the Sun.

• Earth's Magnetic Field

• Magnetosphere

• Atmosphere

• Ozone Layer

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-5

The habitable zone for the star in the diagram shown is between 200 and 250 million km away from the star.

• Planet W

• Planet X

• Planet Y

• Planet Z

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Europa is one of the moons that revolve around Jupiter. A thick sheet of ice covers its entire surface. Many scientists believe that the ice is covering an ocean of water, and that it is possible for life to exist on Europa under the thick ice sheet. Recently, using the Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers spotted water vapor clouds breaking out through Europa's surface. This provided the scientists with a sign that an ocean exists under the ice sheet. Which of the following would best support the theory that life exists on Europa?

• direct evidence of liquid water just below Europa’s surface

• presence of water vapor in Europa's atmosphere

• presence of thick ice sheets on Europa's surface

• revolution of Europa around Jupiter

The temperature of Jupiter increases as one travels farther beneath the clouds. The core of Jupiter may be hotter than the surface of the Sun, but the topmost parts of the planet are extremely cold.

• an appropriate temperature

• abundant organic chemicals

• liquid water

• Earth-like gravity

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Which of the following statements is true?

Earth is the only place in our solar system where...

• water can be found as a gas, liquid, and solid.

• oxygen can be found in the atmosphere.

• active volcanoes can be found.

• greenhouse gases affect the temperature.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Which of the following planetary characteristics prevents Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune from supporting life as known on Earth?

• their composition

• their number of moons

• their orbital speeds

• their axial tilts

Europa is one of Jupiter's moons. Its surface is covered with frozen water. It is far from the sun and has only a very thin atmosphere, so its surface is considered to be too cold to support life. Beneath the ice, there are probably liquid oceans rich in oxygen, kept warm by heat that escapes from Europa's core. Which of the following facts supports the idea that life could exist on Europa?

• On Earth, whole ecosystems exist deep in the ocean that use volcanic vents, not sunlight, as a source of energy.

• On Earth, penguins live and breed in the coldest part of the Earth—Antarctica, on the southern polar ice cap.

• On Earth, deep sea fish attract prey with light that is given off by their bodies.

• On Earth, most producers get their energy from sunlight and form the base of entire food webs.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3