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WorksheetsWhat Makes Earth Habitable
Total questions: 19
Worksheet time: 18mins
Why is Earth's mass important for life?
If Earth had more or less mass, it would not have plate tectonics and would be entirely covered by water.
If Earth had more or less mass, the atmosphere would be very different, with either too much ammonia and methane or too little oxygen and water.
If Earth's mass were significantly different, we would be bombarded by cosmic rays that would strip away our atmosphere.
If Earth's mass were greater, we would be bombarded by meteorites, and if it were smaller, we would not be able to hold the moon in orbit.
Why is it important that we have a rigid lithosphere overlying a weak asthenosphere?
If we did not have the rigid lithosphere and weak asthenosphere, the earth would not have plate tectonics and would be covered entirely by water.
If we did not have the rigid lithosphere and weak asthenosphere, the atmosphere would be very different with either too much ammonia and methane or too little oxygen and water.
If we did not have the rigid lithosphere and weak asthenosphere, we would be bombarded by cosmic rays that would strip away our atmosphere.
If we did not have the rigid lithosphere and weak asthenosphere, we would be bombarded by meteorites and we would not be able to hold the moon in orbit.
Why is the molten metallic outer core and the magnetic field important to life on Earth?
If we did not have the molten core and the magnetic field, the earth would not have plate tectonics and would be covered entirely by water.
If we did not have the molten core and the magnetic field, the atmosphere would be very different with either too much ammonia and methane or too little oxygen and water.
If we did not have the molten core and the magnetic field, we would be bombarded by cosmic rays that would strip away our atmosphere.
If we did not have the molten core and the magnetic field, we would be bombarded by meteorites and we would not be able to hold the moon in orbit.
What would have happened to Earth if it were 10% closer to the sun?
The planet would be too hot and most water would evaporate.
Our atmosphere would consist mainly of nitrogen.
Liquid water and the water cycle would not exist.
Our sun would have burned out after a few hundred million years so life would not evolve.
What would have happened if Earth were located 10% further out from the Sun?
Our atmosphere would consist mainly of carbon dioxide.
Our atmosphere would consist mainly of nitrogen.
Our oceans would all be frozen.
Our Sun would have burned out after a few hundred million years so life would not evolve.
What would have happened to Earth if the Sun had been significantly larger than it is?
Our atmosphere would consist mainly of carbon dioxide.
Our atmosphere would consist mainly of nitrogen.
Liquid water and the water cycle would not exist.
Our Sun would have burned out after a few hundred million years so life would not evolve.
The Goldilocks scenario suggests that ________.
we are very fortunate that the meteorites that have bombarded Earth over time were not too large or too small
we are very fortunate to be in the right place in the universe and to have had the right condition to develop and sustain life
we are very fortunate that dinosaurs were destroyed but left us an inhabitable planet
we are very fortunate to be in a solar system where life can develop and be sustained
The region around a star in which a planet with sufficient atmospheric pressure could maintain liquid water on its surface and thus might be hospitable to Earth-like life.
(a)
A planet that orbits a star other than the Sun.
(a)
Explain why Earth is just the right size:
In what way does Earth's molten, metallic core help protect Earth's life-forms?
Why is Earth's location in the solar system ideal for the development of complex life-forms like humans?
How does Earth's magnetic field contribute to life?
It protects us from harmful solar radiation by deflecting it.
It helps in the formation of ozone layer.
It helps in the formation of clouds and rain.
It helps in the rotation of the Earth.
Why is the presence of water on Earth crucial for life?
Water is a universal solvent and helps in the transportation of nutrients.
Water helps in maintaining the Earth's temperature.
Water provides a medium for chemical reactions necessary for life.
All of the above.
What would happen to life on Earth if it was located 10% closer to the Sun?
Life would not be able to exist due to the intense heat and radiation.
Life would thrive due to the increased sunlight and warmth.
Life would adapt to the new conditions, evolving to withstand the increased heat and radiation.
Life would be largely unaffected as Earth's atmosphere would adjust to maintain a stable climate.
What would have happened to Earth if it were 10% further from the sun?
Our atmosphere would consist mainly of carbon dioxide.
Our atmosphere would consist mainly of nitrogen.
Liquid water and the water cycle would not exist.
Our sun would have burned out after a few hundred million years so life would not evolve.
Why is the ozone layer important for life on Earth?
It protects the Earth from meteorites.
It absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.
It helps in maintaining the Earth's temperature.
It provides oxygen for us to breathe.
What would be the impact on Earth's climate if it was 10% further from the Sun?
Earth would become a frozen wasteland due to the decreased sunlight and warmth.
Earth's climate would remain largely unaffected as the atmosphere would adjust to maintain a stable climate.
Life would adapt to the new conditions, evolving to withstand the decreased heat and radiation.
Earth's atmosphere would consist mainly of nitrogen due to the decreased sunlight.
How does Earth's rotation around its axis contribute to life?
It helps in the formation of the ozone layer.
It creates a day-night cycle, which influences the behavior and evolution of species.
It helps in the formation of clouds and rain.
It protects us from harmful solar radiation by deflecting it.
