Phys 214. Planets and Life

Phys 214. Planets and Life

Dr. Cristina BuzeaDepartment of Physics

Room 259E-mail: [email protected]

(Please use PHYS214 in e-mail subject)

Lecture 32. Final review

April 2nd, 2008

mailto:[email protected]




Part A. 70 Multiple Choice Questions (1 mark each= total 70 marks)1 minute a question - total 70 minutes for this section

You can choose to answer 5 extra questions for bonus marks!

Part B. Choose two (of three)Explain a concept using a given figure (short answers)

(2 x 10 marks = 20 marks)20 minutes on this section

Part C. Choose one (of two)Calculations ( 10 marks)10 minutes on this section

100 minutes + 20 minutes to review

• Total Time: 2 hours• Total 100 marks (maximum)• Don’t forget to bring a calculator and a pencil with eraser!• You are allowed to bring a dictionary.

Final exam structure

Final exam structure - Answer sheet

The answers to multiple choice questions must be on a separate answer sheet.

You have to fill in the circle corresponding to the correct answer.

Final exam content

• Lectures covered: Lecture 1 to Lecture 31• More questions from postmidterm

• Questions will also test knowledge included in the movie from Lecture 27.

Part A. Multiple choice questions

Text boxed with red within the lectures is very important and may appear as a question.

Don’t get tricked by the multiple answers!

Changes in the amount of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere would createA. major glaciations or greenhouse heating on Earth.B. Stripping of the ozone layerC. Changes in the magnetic field of Earth.D. All of the above.

Which of the following statements is true?A. Being radiotolerant is a property of organisms capable of living in environments with very high levels of

ultraviolet or cosmic radiationB. Being radiotolerant is a property of organisms capable of living in environments with very high levels of

radio waves.C. None of the above.D. Both A and B.



Don’t get tricked by the multiple answers!

Which of the following statements is true?A. The rise of oxygen created a crisis for life, many species probably went

extinct, some survived by being underground.B. The rise of oxygen created an evolutionary adaptation of the metabolism

of some organisms.C. None of the aboveD. Both A and B



Some questions are straightforward!

The most heat-tolerant hyperthermophile is the recently-discovered Strain 121 which has been able to double its population during 24 hours in an autoclave at

A. 100°C.B. 190°C. C. 121°C. D. 10°C.



Some questions are tricky!

Which of the following statements is true?A. Branch lengths in the phylogenetic tree of life are a measure of the amount of genetic difference

between different extinct species.B. Branch lengths in the phylogenetic tree of life are a measure of the amount of genetic difference

between different extant species.C. Branch lengths in the phylogenetic tree of life are a measure of the amount of genetic difference

between both extinct and extant species.D. None of the above

You are allowed to bring a dictionary at the final exam!

( ) ( )=−= sidefar on sidenear ggtidal FFF

€

=GM planet Mrock

dplanet−moon − rmoon( )2

− GM planet Mrock

dplanet−moon + rmoon( )2

Tidal force

Formulae you need to remember for the Phys 214 exam

You don’t need to remember the values of the constants. They will be given to you.

Part B. Explain a concept by using a figure (10 marks)

Example 1. Explain the figure below. Indicate what it represents and explain

each steps corresponding to the arrows.

Figure represents: A =?T =?C =?G =?

Explain a concept by using a figure (10 marks)

Example 1. Explain the figure below. Indicate what it represents and explain each

steps corresponding to the arrows. Figure represents: a DNA strand (2 marks)A = adenine (1 mark)T = thymine (1 mark)C = cytosine (1 mark)G = guanine (1 mark)

(1 mark)

(1 mark)

(1 mark)

(1 mark)


Example 2. Explain the figure below. Indicate what it represents and explain each steps corresponding to the arrows. Figure represents: A =T =C =G =


Example 2. Explain the figure below. Indicate what it represents and explain each steps

corresponding to the arrows. Figure represents: DNA replication (2 marks)A = adenine (1 mark)T = thymine (1 mark)C = cytosine (1 mark)G = guanine (1 mark)

(1 mark) (1 mark) (1 mark) (1 mark)


Example 3. Explain briefly the figure below. Figure represents:Ma = The length of braches are related to - Ages are estimated from - The figure is based on (the genome of choice)- Show the name of the branches on the figure corresponding to the four arrows.


Example 3. Explain the figure below. Figure represents: the phylogenetic tree (tree of life) (2 marks)Ma = Million years ago (1 mark)The length of braches are related to - evolutionary distance (1 mark)Ages are estimated from - the fossil record and chemical biomarkers (1 mark)The figures is based on (the genome of choice)- small subunit ribosomal RNA sequence

(1 mark)Show the name of the branches on the figure corresponding to the four arrows.

root of the tree of life is the common ancestor of all life on Earth

(1 mark)

(1 mark) (1 mark)

(1 mark)


Example 4. Explain the figure below.

Figure represents:

Indicate the

In which environments do these organisms exist?

Name the concepts corresponding to each arrow.

Define the concepts corresponding to each arrow.


Example 4. Explain the figure below.

Figure represents: The growth rate of extremophiles living under high pressure (2 marks)

In which environments do these organisms exist? on oceans floors and deep lakes,

in subsurface rocks (2 marks)

Barophiles (piezophile) =organisms which live in high pressure environments. (1 mark)

Barotolerants - able to survive at high pressures, but can exist in less extreme environments as well. (1 mark)

Obligate barophiles - cannot survive in low pressure environments. (1 mark)

1 mark 1 mark 1 mark


Example 5. Explain the figure below and define the main concept.

Figure represents:Specify the process corresponding to each arrow.



Figure represents: The CO2 cycle rescues Earth from a snowball phase (2 marks)

Snowball Earth = severe, long-term cooling periods during the Earth’s history. (1 mark)Specify the process corresponding to each arrow.

1 mark 1 mark 1 mark 1 mark 1 mark

1 mark 1 mark



Figure represents:Why Mars has experienced wild swings in its axis tilt over relatively short time periods?



Figure represents: Mars climate change due to its axis tilt (2 marks)Why Mars has experienced wild swings in its axis tilt over relatively short time periods?

Because of its proximity to Jupiter and its lack of a large moon. (2 marks)

When the axis tilt is high, the poles receives a lot of sunlight, & the CO2 ice sublimates. The climate becomes warmer because the greenhouse gas CO2 buildup in the atmosphere.

When the axis tilt is small, the poles receives little sunlight, the CO2 from the atmosphere condenses into dry ice because of low temperatures. The climate becomes cooler because of less CO2 (greenhouse gas) in the atmosphere.

3 marks

3 marks

Explain a concept by using the table (10 marks)

Example 7. What planetary body from the Solar System is described by the data in this table?

How likely is for life to exist on this planetary body? If yes, explain where?

How likely is for this planetary body to have liquid water or water vapors? If yes where?

How likely is for this planetary body to have water ice? If yes where?

Specify 2 of the main characteristics of this planetary body?

Earth

Mass (MEarth) 0.012 1Orbital semimajor Axis (AU) 1 1Orbital inclination (o) 5.2 0Orbital period (days) 27.3 365Axial inclination (o) 6 23.5Radius (km) 1738 6371Density (x103kg m-3) 3.34 5.51Surface gravity (m s-2) 1.6 9.8Atmospheric surface pressure (bar) 10-14 1Atmosphere maincomponent Ar, H2, He, Na N2, O2

Mean surface T 250K (-23C) 288K (15C)Max surface T 396K (123C) 310 (37C) Min surface T 40K (-233C) 260(-13C)


Moon Earth

Mass (MEarth) 0.012 1Orbital semimajor Axis (AU) 1 1Orbital inclination (o) 5.2 0Orbital period (days) 27.3 365Axial inclination (o) 6 23.5Radius (km) 1738 6371Density (x103kg m-3) 3.34 5.51Surface gravity (m s-2) 1.6 9.8Atmospheric surface pressure (bar) 10-14 1Atmosphere maincomponent Ar, H2, He, Na N2, O2

Mean surface T 250K (-23C) 288K (15C)Max surface T 396K (123C) 310 (37C) Min surface T 40K (-233C) 260(-13C)

Example 7. What planetary body from the Solar System is described by the data in this table? Moon (2 marks)

How likely is for life to exist on this planetary body? If yes, explain where? Unlikely. However bacteria from earth survived for three years on the Moon (2 mark)

How likely is for this planetary body to have liquid water or water vapors? If yes where? Unlikely (2 mark)

How likely is for this planetary body to have water ice? If yes where? in polar craters permanently shielded from Sun (2 mark)

Specify 2 of the main characteristics of this planetary body? among the least-habitable bodies in the solar system.The only large moon of a terrestrial planet in our Solar System. (2 marks)





How likely is for this planetary body to have water ice? If yes where?


Earth

Mass (MEarth) 0.055 1Escape velocity (km/s) 4.43 11.2Orbital semimajor axis (AU) 0.39 1Orbital inclination (o) 7 0Orbital period (days) 88 365Axial rotation (days) 58.6 0.997Axial inclination (o) 0.1 23.5Radius (km) 2440 6371Density (x103kg m-3) 5.43 5.51Surface gravity (m s-2) 3.7 9.8Mean surface T (K) 443K (170C) 288K

(15C)Max surface T(K) 700K (427C) 310K

(37C)Min surface T(K) 100K (-173C) 260K (-

13C)Atmospheric surface pressure (bar) 10-15 1Atmosphere O, Na, H2 N2, O2


Example 8. What planetary body from the Solar System is described by the data in this table? Mercury (2 marks)

How likely is for life to exist on this planetary body? If yes, explain where? Unlikely. (2 mark)

How likely is for this planetary body to have liquid water or water vapors? If yes where? Unlikely (2 mark)

How likely is for this planetary body to have water ice? If yes where? in polar craters permanently shielded from Sun (2 mark)

Specify 2 of the main characteristics of this planetary body? The smallest of the terrestrial planets. Larger than most moons, but smaller than Jupiter’s moon Ganymede and Saturn’s moon Titan. (2 marks)

Mercury Earth

Mass (MEarth) 0.055 1Escape velocity (km/s) 4.43 11.2Orbital semimajor axis (AU) 0.39 1Orbital inclination (o) 7 0Orbital period (days) 88 365Axial rotation (days) 58.6 0.997Axial inclination (o) 0.1 23.5Radius (km) 2440 6371Density (x103kg m-3) 5.43 5.51Surface gravity (m s-2) 3.7 9.8Mean surface T (K) 443K (170C) 288K



13C)Atmospheric surface pressure (bar) 10-15 1Atmosphere O, Na, H2 N2, O2





How likely is for this planetary body to have water ice?


Earth

Mass (MEarth) 0.8 1Escape velocity (km/s) 10.4 11.2Orbital semimajor Axis (AU) 0.7 1Orbital inclination (o) 3.4 0Orbital period (days) 224 365Axial rotation (days) 243 0.997Axial inclination (o) 177 23.5Radius (km) 6052 6371Density (x103kg m-3) 5.2 5.51Surface gravity (m s-2) 8.9 9.8Mean surface T 733K (460C) 288K

(15C)Atmospheric surface pressure (bar) 92 1Atmosphere CO2 N2, O2


Example 9. What planetary body from the Solar System is described by the data in this table? Venus (2 marks)

How likely is for life to exist on this planetary body? If yes, explain where? Not very likely. Life could exist in the clouds containing water (2 mark)

How likely is for this planetary body to have liquid water or water vapors? If yes where? It has water vapors in the atmosphere (2 mark)

How likely is for this planetary body to have water ice? Unlikely. (2 mark)

Specify 2 of the main characteristics of this planetary body? Venus is the only planet which spins backwards. Venus has a very high atmospheric pressure, the CO2 gas producing a strong greenhouse effect (2 marks)

Venus Earth

Mass (MEarth) 0.8 1Escape velocity (km/s) 10.4 11.2Orbital semimajor Axis (AU) 0.7 1Orbital inclination (o) 3.4 0Orbital period (days) 224 365Axial rotation (days) 243 0.997Axial inclination (o) 177 23.5Radius (km) 6052 6371Density (x103kg m-3) 5.2 5.51Surface gravity (m s-2) 8.9 9.8Mean surface T 733K (460C) 288K

(15C)Atmospheric surface pressure (bar) 92 1Atmosphere CO2 N2, O2







Earth

Mass (MEarth) 0.107 1Escape velocity (km/s) 5 11.2Orbital semimajor axis (AU) 1.52 1Orbital inclination (o) 1.9 0Orbital period (days) 686 365Axial rotation (days) 1.03 0.997Axial inclination (o) 25.2 23.5Radius (km) 3390 6371Density (x103kg m-3) 3.93 5.51Surface gravity (m s-2) 3.7 9.8Mean surface T (K) 223K (-50C) 288K



13C)Atmospheric surface pressure (bar) 6x10-3 1Atmosphere 95% CO2, 2.7% N2 N2, O2


Example 10. What planetary body from the Solar System is described by the data in this table? Mars (2 marks)How likely is for life to exist on this planetary body? If yes, explain where? Very likely. Life could exist in geologically active areas where subsurface liquid water may be available (2 mark)How likely is for this planetary body to have liquid water or water vapors? If yes where? It probably has subsurface liquid water in geologically active areas. It has water vapors in the atmosphere (2 mark)How likely is for this planetary body to have water ice? Very likely. It has residual polar caps made of water ice. (2 mark)Specify 2 of the main characteristics of this planetary body? Has global dust storms as a result of the atmospheric pressure differences between the poles due to the sublimation CO2 gas. Olympus Mons probably the largest volcano in the Solar system (2 marks)

Mars Earth

Mass (MEarth) 0.107 1Escape velocity (km/s) 5 11.2Orbital semimajor axis (AU) 1.52 1Orbital inclination (o) 1.9 0Orbital period (days) 686 365Axial rotation (days) 1.03 0.997Axial inclination (o) 25.2 23.5Radius (km) 3390 6371Density (x103kg m-3) 3.93 5.51Surface gravity (m s-2) 3.7 9.8Mean surface T (K) 223K (-50C) 288K



13C)Atmospheric surface pressure (bar) 6x10-3 1Atmosphere 95% CO2, 2.7% N2 N2, O2


Example 11. What planetary body from the Solar System is described by the data in this table? (2 marks)

How likely is for life to exist on this planetary body? If yes, explain where? (2 mark)

How likely is for this planetary body to have liquid water or water vapors? If yes where? (2 mark)

How likely is for this planetary body to have water ice? (2 mark)

Specify 2 of the main characteristics of this planetary body? (2 marks)

Earth

Mass (MEarth) 318 1Escape velocity (km/s) 59.5 11.2Orbital semimajor Axis (AU) 5.2 1Orbital inclination (o) 1.3 0Orbital period 11.8 years 365

daysAxial rotation (days) 0.412 0.997Axial inclination (o) 3.1 23.5Radius (km) 70,000 6,371Density (x103kg m-3) 1.33 5.51Surface gravity (m s-2) 23 9.8Mean surface T 288K (15C)Cloud top T 120K (-153C)T at 1 bar pressure 165K (-108C)Satellites > 39 1Atmosphere H2, He, (CH4) N2, O2


Example 11. What planetary body from the Solar System is described by the data in this table? Jupiter (2 marks)How likely is for life to exist on this planetary body? If yes, explain where? Not very likely. Life could exist in the clouds containing water that can form at a depth of about 100 km. (2 mark)How likely is for this planetary body to have liquid water or water vapors? If yes where? It has water vapors in the atmosphere (2 mark)How likely is for this planetary body to have water ice? Likely, because of its formation at a large distance from the Sun that allowed ices to condense. (2 mark)Specify 2 of the main characteristics of this planetary body? The largest planet in our Solar System. Has a huge storm (the red spot) that lasted more than 300 years. (2 marks)

Jupiter Earth

Mass (MEarth) 318 1Escape velocity (km/s) 59.5 11.2Orbital semimajor Axis (AU) 5.2 1Orbital inclination (o) 1.3 0Orbital period 11.8 years 365

daysAxial rotation (days) 0.412 0.997Axial inclination (o) 3.1 23.5Radius (km) 70,000 6,371Density (x103kg m-3) 1.33 5.51Surface gravity (m s-2) 23 9.8Mean surface T 288K (15C)Cloud top T 120K (-153C)T at 1 bar pressure 165K (-108C)Atmosphere H2, He, (CH4) N2, O2







Earth

Mass (MEarth) 95 1Escape velocity (km/s) 35 11.2Orbital semimajor Axis (AU) 9.5 1Orbital inclination (o) 2.5 0Orbital period 29 years 365

daysAxial rotation (days) 0.44 0.997Axial inclination (o) 26 23.5Radius (km) 58,000 6,371Density (x103kg m-3) 0.69 5.51Surface gravity (m s-2) 9 9.8Mean surface T 288K (15C)Cloud top T 89K (-184C)T at 1 bar pressure 135K (-138C)Atmosphere H2, He, (CH4) N2, O2


Example 12. What planetary body from the Solar System is described by the data in this table? Saturn (2 marks)How likely is for life to exist on this planetary body? If yes, explain where? Not very likely. Life

could exist in the clouds containing water. (2 marks)How likely is for this planetary body to have liquid water or water vapors? If yes where? It has water vapors in the atmosphere (2 mark)How likely is for this planetary body to have water ice? Likely, because of its formation at a large distance from the Sun that allowed ices to condense. (2 mark)Specify 2 of the main characteristics of this planetary body? The planet with the largest system of rings in the Solar System. Has a hexagonal cloud pattern at the North pole. (2 marks)

Saturn Earth

Mass (MEarth) 95 1Escape velocity (km/s) 35 11.2Orbital semimajor Axis (AU) 9.5 1Orbital inclination (o) 2.5 0Orbital period 29 years 365

daysAxial rotation (days) 0.44 0.997Axial inclination (o) 26 23.5Radius (km) 58,000 6,371Density (x103kg m-3) 0.69 5.51Surface gravity (m s-2) 9 9.8Mean surface T 288K (15C)Cloud top T 89K (-184C)T at 1 bar pressure 135K (-138C)Atmosphere H2, He, (CH4) N2, O2


Earth

Mass (MEarth) 14 1Escape velocity (km/s) 21 11.2Orbital semimajor Axis (AU) 19 1Orbital inclination (o) 0.8 0Orbital period 83 yr 365 daysAxial rotation (days) 0.7 0.997Axial inclination (o) 97 23.5Radius (km) 25,360 6,371Density (x103kg m-3) 1.3 5.51Surface gravity (m s-2) 8.7 9.8Mean surface T 288K (15C)Cloud top T 53K (-220C) T at 1 bar pressure 75K (-198C) Atmosphere H2, He N2, O2


How likely if for life to exist on this planetary body? If yes, explain where?





Uranus Earth

Mass (MEarth) 14 1Escape velocity (km/s) 21 11.2Orbital semimajor Axis (AU) 19 1Orbital inclination (o) 0.8 0Orbital period 83 yr 365 daysAxial rotation (days) 0.7 0.997Axial inclination (o) 97 23.5Radius (km) 25,360 6,371Density (x103kg m-3) 1.3 5.51Surface gravity (m s-2) 8.7 9.8Mean surface T 288K (15C)Cloud top T 53K (-220C) T at 1 bar pressure 75K (-198C) Atmosphere H2, He N2, O2

Example 13. What planetary body from the Solar System is described by the data in this table? Uranus (2 marks)How likely if for life to exist on this planetary body? If yes, explain where? Not very likely. most likely be found in the oceans of liquid ices beneath the surface. (2 marks)How likely is for this planetary body to have liquid water or water vapors? If yes where? It has an water-methane-ammonia ocean beneath the surface. (2 mark)How likely is for this planetary body to have water ice? Likely, because of its formation at a large distance from the Sun that allowed ices to condense. (2 mark)Specify 2 of the main characteristics of this planetary body? magnetic dipole off center by 30% of planet’s radius. Has strange water-methane-ammonia oceans beneath the surface (2 marks)


Earth

Mass (MEarth) 17 1Escape velocity (km/s) 23 11.2Orbital semimajor Axis (AU) 30 1Orbital inclination (o) 1.8 0Orbital period 163 yr 365

daysAxial rotation (days) 0.6 0.997Axial inclination (o) 29 23.5Radius (km) 24,620 6,371Density (x103kg m-3) 1.6 5.51Surface gravity (m s-2) 11 9.8Mean surface T 288K (15C)Cloud top T 54K (-219C)T at 1 bar pressure 70K (-203C)Atmosphere H2, He N2, O2


How likely if for life to exist on this planetary body? If yes, explain where?





Neptune Earth

Mass (MEarth) 17 1Escape velocity (km/s) 23 11.2Orbital semimajor Axis (AU) 30 1Orbital inclination (o) 1.8 0Orbital period 163 yr 365

daysAxial rotation (days) 0.6 0.997Axial inclination (o) 29 23.5Radius (km) 24,620 6,371Density (x103kg m-3) 1.6 5.51Surface gravity (m s-2) 11 9.8Mean surface T 288K (15C)Cloud top T 54K (-219C)T at 1 bar pressure 70K (-203C)Atmosphere H2, He N2, O2

Example 14. What planetary body from the Solar System is described by the data in this table? Uranus (2 marks)How likely if for life to exist on this planetary body? If yes, explain where? Not very likely. most likely be found in the oceans of liquid ices beneath the surface. (2 marks)How likely is for this planetary body to have liquid water or water vapors? If yes where? It has an water-methane-ammonia ocean beneath the surface. (2 mark)How likely is for this planetary body to have water ice? Likely, because of its formation at a large distance from the Sun that allowed ices to condense. (2 mark)Specify 2 of the main characteristics of this planetary body? magnetic dipole off center by 30% of planet’s radius. Has strange water-methane-ammonia oceans beneath the surface (2 marks)

Part C. Calculate

Don’t forget to define and explain every term appearing in the equation!

• Don’t just write the equation!

• For examples of calculations, see the midtem review - Lecture 13

How to review for this exam

• Review the lectures (Lecture 2 – Lecture 31)• Remember boxed text!• Remember equations!• When you don’t understand a concept, go to the textbook!• Review important physical laws and concepts.• Review important figures! (especially the ones containing text and

schematics)

• Textbook should be the second edition of “Life in the Universe”• The second edition is updated with the latest discoveries in astrobiology.• Extremophiles are from lectures only.

Final exam

Final exam on April 12th, 2008, at 19:00,

duration - 2 hours. Location: Stirling D.(We are now in Stirling A! Stirling D is on the left as you exit!)

Additional date:

Friday April 4th, at 12:30, duration - 2 hours:

Location Room 501.

Don’t forget to bring a calculator, a pencil & eraser

& to learn the formulae!

Good luck!

Phys 214. Planets and Life

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