Astronomy
1st Edition
ISBN: 9781938168284
Author: Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. Wolff
Publisher: OpenStax
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Textbook Question
Chapter 30, Problem 10E
Why is the simultaneous detection of methane and oxygen in an atmosphere a good indication of the existence of a biosphere on that planet?
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It is estimated that the total amount of oxygen (O2) contained in BIFs is equivalent to 6.6% of the oxygen present in the modern atmosphere. This is quite impressive given that the atmosphere during Archaean and early Proterozoic times was largely devoid of oxygen! Therefore, this reflects the photosynthetic efficiency of the early biosphere, coupled with its operation over long periods of time. Knowing that the mass of the modern atmosphere is 5.01×1018 kg, of which 21% is oxygen, what is the mass (in kilograms) of oxygen contained within BIFs?
Answer x 1016 kg of O2 contained in BIF deposits
Knowing that the molecular mass of O2 is 32 g/mole (0.032 kg/mole), how many moles of O2 are contained within BIFs?
Answer x 1018 moles of O2 contained in BIF deposits
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It is estimated that the total amount of oxygen (O2) contained in BIFs is equivalent to 6.6% of the oxygen present in the modern atmosphere. This is quite impressive given that the atmosphere during Archaean and early Proterozoic times was largely devoid of oxygen! Therefore, this reflects the photosynthetic efficiency of the early biosphere, coupled with its operation over long periods of time. Knowing that the mass of the modern atmosphere is 5.01×1018 kg, of which 21% is oxygen, what is the mass (in kilograms) of oxygen contained within BIFs?
Imagine you are a scientist and you are working with a museum on an archaeology exhibit. They tell you that they have an ancient leaf they believe to be 24,000 years old. You use radiocarbon dating and discover that the leaf contains 1/32 of the carbon-14 of a living plant. What do you tell the museum?(half life of 14-carbon = 6000 years)
Chapter 30 Solutions
Astronomy
Ch. 30 - What is the Copernican principle? Make a list of...Ch. 30 - Where in the solar system (and beyond) have...Ch. 30 - Give a short history of the atoms that are now in...Ch. 30 - What is a biomarker? Give some possible examples...Ch. 30 - Why are Mars and Europa the top targets for the...Ch. 30 - Why is traveling between the stars (by creatures...Ch. 30 - What are the advantages to using radio waves for...Ch. 30 - What is the “cosmic haystack problem”? List as...Ch. 30 - What is a habitable zone?Ch. 30 - Why is the simultaneous detection of methane and...
Ch. 30 - What are two characteristic properties of life...Ch. 30 - What are the three requirements that scientists...Ch. 30 - Can you name five environmental conditions that,...Ch. 30 - Would a human have been possible during the first...Ch. 30 - If we do find life on Mars, what might be some...Ch. 30 - What kind of evidence do you think would convince...Ch. 30 - What are some reasons that more advanced...Ch. 30 - What are some answers to the Fermi paradox? Can...Ch. 30 - Why is there so little evidence of Earth’s...Ch. 30 - Why was the development of photosynthesis a major...Ch. 30 - Does all life on Earth require sunshine?Ch. 30 - Why is life unlikely to be found on the surface of...Ch. 30 - In this chapter, we identify these characteristic...Ch. 30 - Given that no sunlight can penetrate Europa’s ice...Ch. 30 - Why is Saturn’s moon Enceladus such an exciting...Ch. 30 - In addition to an atmosphere dominated by...Ch. 30 - How can a planet’s atmosphere affect the width of...Ch. 30 - Why are we limited to finding life on planets...Ch. 30 - Suppose astronomers discover a radio message from...Ch. 30 - The light a planet receives from the Sun (per...Ch. 30 - Think of our Milky Way Galaxy as a flat disk of...
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