08-18-2006, 06:45 PM
your guys' knowledge on the connection between life and water is a bit incorrect
the reason why water is essential to life is because of its unusual properties. however, these properties are only useful in the right conditions
1st example: ice is less dense than liquid water. let's say there is an ocean on a planet. the top of the ocean is warm enough to melt the ice. the bottom of the ocean is cold enough to freeze it. thus, water circulates as it freezes at the bottom, floats to the top, and melts again. this circulation of water is what helps aid in the creation of life. thus, a planet that is completely frozen is not likely to have life
2nd example: water is a polar molecule. meaning that it has a very minute charge like a magnet. however, this charge is significant enough for water molecules to create hydrogen bonds. this ability to create hydrogen bonds is what gives water the ability to have cohesion and surface tension. anybody who has studied the vascular system of plants will know that it depends heavily on the cohesion properties of water for it to function. however, bear in mind again that this water still needs to be liquid. thus a frozen planet is unsuitable to this kind of life
some of you guys say that life will evolve to overcome this extreme cold. that's a nice outlook. but some things are just impossible
btw, i heard about those bacteria found on mars. supposedly, they've been disproven. just minerals or something
the reason why water is essential to life is because of its unusual properties. however, these properties are only useful in the right conditions
1st example: ice is less dense than liquid water. let's say there is an ocean on a planet. the top of the ocean is warm enough to melt the ice. the bottom of the ocean is cold enough to freeze it. thus, water circulates as it freezes at the bottom, floats to the top, and melts again. this circulation of water is what helps aid in the creation of life. thus, a planet that is completely frozen is not likely to have life
2nd example: water is a polar molecule. meaning that it has a very minute charge like a magnet. however, this charge is significant enough for water molecules to create hydrogen bonds. this ability to create hydrogen bonds is what gives water the ability to have cohesion and surface tension. anybody who has studied the vascular system of plants will know that it depends heavily on the cohesion properties of water for it to function. however, bear in mind again that this water still needs to be liquid. thus a frozen planet is unsuitable to this kind of life
some of you guys say that life will evolve to overcome this extreme cold. that's a nice outlook. but some things are just impossible
btw, i heard about those bacteria found on mars. supposedly, they've been disproven. just minerals or something