answer each Identify some places we have seen evidence of water in other places in the solar system.
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QUESTION 2
Summarize the three conditions that allow life to sustain itself on Earth.
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QUESTION 3
Compare Earth’s, Venus’s, and Mars’s ability to sustain life.
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1. Some places we have seen evidence of water in other places in the solar system include:
- Mars: There is evidence of water ice on Mars, as well as ancient river beds and lake beds.
- Europa: One of Jupiter's moons, Europa, is believed to have an ocean of liquid water beneath its icy surface.
- Enceladus: A moon of Saturn, Enceladus, has geysers that eject water vapor and ice particles into space, indicating a subsurface ocean.
2. The three conditions that allow life to sustain itself on Earth are:
- Presence of liquid water: Water is essential for all known forms of life to exist.
- Suitable temperature range: Life on Earth thrives in a moderate temperature range, allowing for liquid water to exist.
- Presence of organic molecules: Organic molecules, such as amino acids and DNA, are essential building blocks for life as we know it.
3. When comparing Earth’s, Venus’s, and Mars’s ability to sustain life:
- Earth has a perfect balance of the three conditions needed for life, making it a habitable planet with a diverse range of life forms.
- Venus is too hot and has a thick, toxic atmosphere, making it inhospitable for life as we know it.
- Mars, while having evidence of past water and some potential for current microbial life, lacks a thick atmosphere and has a harsh environment with high levels of radiation, making it challenging for complex life forms to thrive.