AQA A-Level Environmental
Science: Conditions for Life on
Earth Exam Practice
how did earth's mass it suitable for life - Answer>> great
enough to prevent most gases from escaping
atmospheric pressure high enough to prevent all liquid water from
boiling
how did earth's distance from the sun make it suitable for life -
Answer>> suitable temp.
light
allows liquid water to be present
time taken for earth to rotate produced day/night cycle fast
enough to minimise excessive heating or cooling
how did earth's axis of rotation make it suitable for life -
Answer>> produces seasonal variations in conditions
how does earth's speed of rotation make it suitable for life -
Answer>> temp. of earth's surface rises when exposed to
sunlight and falls when not
24-hour rotation prevents temp. extremes
how does earth's magnetic field make it suitable for life -
Answer>> molten layers beneath crust produce magnetic field
deflects solar wind and prevents biologically damaging radiation
from reaching earth's surface
how does presence of liquid water make earth suitable for life -
Answer>> solvent for chemical reactions
, transport within organisms for dissolved gases, sugars, amino
acids, mineral nutrients and waste products
temp. control - evaporation of water absorbs heat, causing temp.
to decline
water most dense at 4 degrees C, cooler water floats, stopping
convection current that may have cooled whole water body
high SHC moderates rate and size of temp. changes
provides aquatic habitats
absorbs UV radiation, protecting living organisms before ozone
layer developed
how does earth's temp. range make it suitable for life -
Answer>> 0-35 degrees C
warm enough for liquid water but not hot enough to denature
proteins
how do earth's atmospheric gases make it suitable for life -
Answer>> CO2 for photosynthesis
nitrogen for protein synthesis
how does solar insolation make earth suitable for life -
Answer>> sunlight provides energy for photosynthesis
heat produced by absorption of sunlight provides energy that
drives water cycle and warms earth's surface and oceans
amount of sunlight absorbed by earth's surface depends upon
albedo
composition of atmosphere controls amount of infrared energy
absorbed and converted to heat
formation of the solar system - Answer>> 4.57B years ago
formed from giant rotating cloud of gas and dust
sun formed at centre and planets formed around sun in process of
accreation
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