Review Assessment Life In Solar System

Jupiter does not support life because it has virtually no water on its surface. Water is essential for life as we know it, and the presence of liquid water is a key factor in determining a planet's habitability. Earth, on the other hand, has abundant water on its surface, which supports a wide range of life forms. The absence of water on Jupiter makes it inhospitable for life as we know it.

Ozone contributes to supporting life on earth by blocking ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet light is a type of radiation that can be harmful to living organisms. Ozone in the Earth's atmosphere acts as a protective layer, absorbing and filtering out most of the incoming ultraviolet radiation from the sun. This helps to prevent damage to DNA, reduces the risk of skin cancer, and protects the delicate ecosystems on land and in water. Without ozone, the harmful ultraviolet light would reach the Earth's surface in higher amounts, posing a threat to the survival and well-being of various forms of life.

The presence of a magnetosphere (magnetic field) is important for protecting a planet from cosmic radiation. Cosmic radiation can be harmful to life forms, so the presence of a magnetosphere suggests that the planet may have conditions suitable for supporting life. This is because a magnetosphere can deflect or absorb cosmic radiation, creating a protective barrier around the planet. Therefore, if scientists find evidence of a magnetosphere on a planet in a distant planetary system, it could indicate the potential for life to exist on that planet.

The presence of small amounts of water in the soil suggests that Mars may have once had conditions that could support life. Water is a crucial component for life as we know it, and its presence on Mars indicates the possibility of habitable environments in the past. This discovery also opens up the potential for the existence of microbial life or the potential for future human exploration and colonization.

The distance from the Sun of a planet's orbit will have the greatest influence on determining whether or not its temperature will be suitable to support life. This is because the distance from the Sun determines the amount of solar radiation the planet receives. If a planet is too close to the Sun, it will receive excessive heat and be too hot for life. On the other hand, if a planet is too far from the Sun, it will receive insufficient heat and be too cold for life. Therefore, the distance from the Sun is a crucial factor in determining a planet's temperature and its potential to support life.

Planet Y can support life because it falls within the habitable zone of the star. Being located between 200 and 250 million km away from the star, it receives an optimal amount of heat and radiation to sustain liquid water on its surface, which is a key requirement for life as we know it.

If Earth were much smaller than it is now, it would not have enough mass to hold onto its atmosphere due to insufficient gravity. Gravity is what keeps the gases in the atmosphere from escaping into space. Without a sufficient gravitational pull, the atmosphere would gradually disperse, making it difficult for life to exist as the atmosphere provides essential elements and protects against harmful radiation. The other options, such as collecting radiant energy, maintaining a gravitational pull on the Moon, and rotating on its axis, are not directly related to the size of the Earth.