Question

If carbon was the most common element found in the moons and planets, what element is missing that would make them like Earth? Explain why. (Hint: Think about the carbon cycle.) We know that the electromagnetic spectrum uses wavelengths and frequencies to determine a lot about outer space. How does it help us find out the make-up of stars? Why might it be useful to determine the elements that a planet or moon is made up of?

Answer 1

• If carbon was the most common element found in the moons and planets, ,the element that is missing and that would make them like Earth is Oxygen,. Like in the Carbon cycle, oxygen appears like a molecule of oxygen (O2, produced by plants, and used in the respiration process), and also like ,carbon dioxide, (,CO2,, eliminated in the respiration process, generated in the combution of fuel and absorbed by plants for the process of photosynthesis).

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• Each compound has a type of emission spectrum and absorption spectrum that characterizes it and differentiates it from other compounds. So, ,depending on what is producing the light of a star, or absorbing light,, it is possible to determine which element is producing that absorption, and whit this is possible to find out how the stars are made up.

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• It might be useful determine the elements that a planet or moon is made up of, because it will allow us to know if it has similar characteristics to planet Earth, and in this way ,to know if it is possible that there is life similar to ours,.