Life in the Universe Flashcards
Why is life on Jovian planets unlikely? (2)
Because of crushing pressures and high internal temperatures.
Could life exist on Venus?
Not today, but it could have had surface water early on in its history.
Is Mercury habitable?
No.
What chemicals are necessary for life? (CHONPS)
- Carbon. 2. Hydrogen. 3. Oxygen. 4. Nitrogen. 5. Phosphorus. 6. Sulfur.
What type of liquids are necessary for life? What is the best?
A liquid solvent. The best is water.
What kind of energy in needed for life?
A source of free energy (e.g. star light, geothermal temperature gradient, radioactivity, lightening, etc.).
What must the molecule be in order for life to exist?
They must be stable.
In order for molecules to be stable, what is required? (2)
- Reasonable temperatures. 2. Low flux of ionizing radiation and particles.
What is a location that has all the necessary elements for life called?
Habitable.
Other than water, what other types of liquid could be used for life to exist? (3)
- Ammonia. 2. Methane. 3. Ethane.
Where is most of the water in the solar system?
In the outer solar system.
Describe the first step of Hierarchical Planet Formation.
Planet seeds form by collisions of microscopic dust (=rocks) and ice particles in the outer parts of the proto-solar disk.
Describe the second step of Hierarchical Planet Formation.
Colliding particles stick together, making bigger particles.
The bigger particles formed in step two are called what?
Planetesimals.
Describe the third step of Hierarchical Planet Formation.
Bigger planetesimals sweep up more particles than smaller ones.
