Characteristics to Support Life on Earth

Define habitable zone.

• a vehicle propelled by the exhaust made from burning fuel

• an area that is just the right distance from the sun, or other star, that it is not too hot or too cold to support life

• matter that contains carbon which includes all living things

• the study of the origin, development, distribution, and future of life on Earth and in the universe

All of the following are ways that the atmosphere makes the existence of life on Earth possible EXCEPT ...

• maintains a constant temperature

• offers protection from radiation

• shields Earth from small collisions

• allows for gas exchange between plants and animals

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.

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

Ozone contributes to supporting life on earth by blocking -

• ultraviolet light.

• water vapor.

• helium ions.

• atmospheric heat.

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.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

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.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Scientists have determined that there is a particular distance from the Sun that is most likely to allow life to inhabit a planet. This area is called the inhabitable zone and is shaded in the diagram below. Also, the planet needs liquid water and oxygen present. According to the information above, why would Planet E NOT be a good place to look for life?

• Too Hot

• No Oxygen

• Too Cold

• No Water

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Which planet could most likely support human life?

• Planet A

• Planet B

• Planet C

• Planet D

The data below shows characteristics of the four known terrestrial planets in our solar system.

Based on the data and your understanding of the characteristics that support life, which planet is most likely Earth?

• Planet W

• Planet X

• Planet Y

• Planet Z

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3