Grade 7 Unit 08: Factors Affecting Earth Systems

1. 1. What must a planet have to be able to support life as we know it?
2. 2. What is the relationship between the distance a planet is from its star and liquid water?
3. 3. Venus, Earth, and Mars are in or near the habitable zone of the sun, but only Earth supports life. What are the properties of each of the three atmospheres that make them suitable or unsuitable for life?
4. 4. Earth's atmosphere contains about 20% oxygen, which allows it to support life. What are two more things the atmosphere does to support and protect life.
5. 5. Why is it important to life for Earth to rotate on its axis so that we have a day/night cycle?
6. 6. What are the most common elements and compounds in Earth's atmosphere? Which are the most important for living things?
7. 7. Astronauts on the International Space Station spend enough time in microgravity to negatively affect their health. What is the major risk to their bones and muscles, and what do they do to mitigate the risks?
8. 8. What does an astronaut's suit protect him from?
9. 9. What was the purpose of the Space Shuttle? What made it different than previous space vehicles?
10. 10.