Life in the Universe - With Activity Manual and Access
Life in the Universe - With Activity Manual and Access
4th Edition
ISBN: 9780134575599
Author: Bennett
Publisher: PEARSON
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Question
Chapter 11, Problem 1RQ
To determine

The general composition of all stars, and difference in composition among stars in terms of elements important to planet formation and life.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 1RQ

All stars are composed of almost similar composition that is three quarters of hydrogen and one quarter of helium (by mass) and all other elements represents only  a very small proportion of total mass.

Explanation of Solution

All stars are composed of almost similar composition that is three quarters of hydrogen and one quarter of helium (by mass) and all other elements represents only a very small proportion of total mass. All other elements present are star stuffs formed by stars and later released into space when the star dies .

This fact that the star dies also explains the reason why stars vary in their proportions. When the universe was much younger then very old stars were born which means there were only few stars to produce different elements other than helium and hydrogen

Stars that were formed recently including sun were formed from gas clouds that only have 2% of their mass as elements which are heavier than helium. So these elements are very rare and they are important to study planets and life.

Some minimum amount of other elements is necessary for the formations of planets, especially rocky and terrestrial planets such as Earth. Other elements present in the formation of stars such as rocks, metals and ice.

Mostly all the stars are formed of hydrogen and they spent all their lives in generating energy by fusion of hydrogen into helium.

Conclusion:

Thus, all stars are composed of almost similar composition that is three quarters of hydrogen and one quarter of helium (by mass) and all other elements represents only a very small proportion of total mass.

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Imagine that in the future, scientists plan on colonizing planets that orbit other stars. Based on your knowledge of the life cycle of stars, decide which type of star (High mass or Low mass) the planet should orbit that would allow for human life to safely live on that planet for the longest period of time. Explain your answer using examples from the life cycle of each star.

Chapter 11 Solutions

Life in the Universe - With Activity Manual and Access

Ch. 11 - How do the orbits of known extrasolar planets...Ch. 11 - Summarize the key features shown in Figure 11.20,...Ch. 11 - According to current statistics, how common arc...Ch. 11 - What types of worlds seem most likely to support...Ch. 11 - How might a stars habitable zone be wider than we...Ch. 11 - How might future imagery and spectroscopy allow us...Ch. 11 - Prob. 17RQCh. 11 - Prob. 18RQCh. 11 - What is the HertzsprungRussell diagram? How does a...Ch. 11 - Prob. 20RQCh. 11 - Date: February 16, 2025. Headline: Astronomers...Ch. 11 - Prob. 22TYUCh. 11 - Date: June 19, 2028. Headline: Spectrum Reveals...Ch. 11 - Date: November 7, 2020. Headline: New Images Show...Ch. 11 - Date: November 7, 2050. Headline: New Images Show...Ch. 11 - Date: July 20, 2020. Headline: Giant Planet Found...Ch. 11 - Date: September 15, 2045. Headline: Sun-Like Star...Ch. 11 - Prob. 28TYUCh. 11 - Date: December 13, 2033. Headline: Orphan Planet...Ch. 11 - Prob. 30TYUCh. 11 - Prob. 31TYUCh. 11 - Prob. 32TYUCh. 11 - Which method could detect a planet in an orbit...Ch. 11 - To determine a planets average density, we can use...Ch. 11 - Based on the model types shown in Figure 11.20, a...Ch. 11 - According to current statistics, about what...Ch. 11 - The term super-Earth means a planet that is (a)...Ch. 11 - Our best hope for determining that life exists on...Ch. 11 - Jupiter has had an important effect on life on...Ch. 11 - Prob. 40TYUCh. 11 - Prob. 41POSCh. 11 - Unanswered Questions. As discussed in this...Ch. 11 - Explaining the Doppler Method. Explain how the...Ch. 11 - Explaining the Transit Method. Explain how the...Ch. 11 - Comparing Methods. What are the strengths and...Ch. 11 - Super-Earth. Youve discovered a super-Earth...Ch. 11 - Stars with Habitable Planets. Based on what youve...Ch. 11 - Are Earth-Like Planets Common? Based on what you...Ch. 11 - Prob. 50IFCh. 11 - Science Fiction Planet. Choose one fictional...Ch. 11 - Number of Stars with Habitable Planets. Assume...Ch. 11 - Prob. 54IFCh. 11 - Finding Orbit Sizes. The Doppler method allows us...Ch. 11 - Finding a Planetary Mass. Using the Doppler...Ch. 11 - Transit of TrES-1. The planet TrES-1, orbiting a...Ch. 11 - The Doppler Formula. The amount of Doppler shift...Ch. 11 - Prob. 59IFCh. 11 - Future Mission. Imagine that a wealthy benefactor...Ch. 11 - Is It Worth It? Thanks to rapidly advancing...Ch. 11 - Prob. 62IFCh. 11 - Extrasolar Planet Mission. Learn about a proposed...
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