Question

Why do some scientists think that Jupiter's existence may have been critical for life to evolve on Earth?

A) It prevented Earth from migrating outward and thus ensured a stable climate.
B) It prevented Earth from migrating inward and thus ensured a stable climate.
C) It kicked out many comets from the inner solar system through gravitational encounters, thus limiting the number of objects that could potentially hit the inner planets.
D) Meteorites from Jupiter may contain bacteria that started life on Earth.
E) It stabilized Earth's axis tilt and thus ensured a stable climate

Answer 1

Jupiter's existence may have been critical for life on Earth because it kicked out many comets, reducing the chance of catastrophic events. Jupiter's gravitational pull also acts as a protective shield against collisions with Earth. The stability provided by Jupiter and the other gas giants ensured a habitable environment for Earth.

Step-by-step explanation:

Some scientists believe that Jupiter's existence may have been critical for life to evolve on Earth because it kicked out many comets from the inner solar system through gravitational encounters, thus limiting the number of objects that could potentially hit the inner planets. This helped to reduce the number of catastrophic events that could have disrupted the development of life on Earth.

Jupiter's strong gravitational pull acts as a protective shield for Earth, attracting comets and asteroids away from our planet. Without Jupiter, these objects might have a higher chance of colliding with Earth, which could have resulted in extinction-level events.

Furthermore, Jupiter's gravitational influence on the other gas giants in the outer solar system has helped stabilize the overall structure of the solar system. This stability allowed Earth to remain in its habitable zone, with a stable climate conducive to the development of life.

Answer 2

Scientists believe Jupiter was critical for life to evolve on Earth by kicking out many comets from the inner solar system, reducing potential impacts on Earth and fostering a stable environment for life to develop.

Step-by-step explanation:

Some scientists believe that Jupiter's existence may have been critical for life to evolve on Earth because of its role as a cosmic shield. One of the key ways that Jupiter has influenced the habitability of Earth is by its gravitational impact on comets and other celestial bodies. Jupiter's gravitational force is incredibly strong due to its massive size, and it has the capability to dislodge objects in the asteroid belt and send them out of the inner solar system. This, in turn, reduced the number of potential comet impacts on Earth, which could have been catastrophic for the developing life forms. Therefore, the correct answer to why some scientists think Jupiter's existence may have been critical for life to evolve on Earth is:

C) It kicked out many comets from the inner solar system through gravitational encounters, thus limiting the number of objects that could potentially hit the inner planets.

By acting as a protective barrier, Jupiter helped in maintaining a more stable and less hostile environment on Earth, thereby contributing to the conditions necessary for life to thrive. It's important to mention the correct option in the final answer: Jupiter's role in limiting impacts from comets was critical for the evolution of life on Earth.