a1.1.8 - search for extraterrestrial life and water

Question 1

explain why the presence of water is considered fundamental to the search for extraterrestrial life.

Answer 1

water is essential for all life because functions as a solvent, allowing key chemical reactions to take place. other characteristics that make it a good habitat for life are its heat conduction, surface tension, and its high specific heat. in fact, water is so vital to life that the presence of water is precedent to the search for extraterrestrial life.

Question 2

define “goldilocks zone” in relation to the search for extraterrestrial life.

Answer 2

astrobiologists search for extraterrestrial objects that fall in a goldilocks zone, meaning it is just the right distance from a star for water to remain at least periodically in liquid form on the surface.