Knowledge Tree
liquid water
Also known as: subsurface liquid water
Facts (14)
Sources
Carbon may not be the only basis for life. Look for silicon, too bigthink.com Jul 1, 2022 5 facts
claimSaturn's moon Titan is considered the closest analog in the Solar System for silicon-based life because it is cold and lacks both oxygen and liquid water.
claimLife as currently understood by scientists is based on carbon, which requires liquid water and uses light or chemicals as an energy source.
claimThe standard scientific search for extraterrestrial life focuses on carbon-based life forms that require liquid water and utilize light or chemicals as an energy source.
claimA prerequisite for silicon-based life on an exoplanet or exomoon is the absence of significant amounts of free oxygen or liquid water.
claimElemental silicon is unsuitable for life on Earth because it reacts when exposed to liquid water.
Hypothetical types of biochemistry - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org 4 facts
measurementThe free energy of formation of liquid water is -237.24 kJ/mol, which contributes to its thermodynamic stability.
claimSubsurface liquid water is considered likely or possible on the outer moons Enceladus, Europa, Titan, and Ganymede.
claimWater ice is less dense than liquid water, allowing ice to float and preventing bodies of water from freezing solid from the bottom up.
claimAcrylonitrile is predicted to have stability and flexibility in liquid methane comparable to that of a phospholipid bilayer in liquid water, potentially allowing it to form cell membranes known as azotosomes.
Read "Review and Assessment of Planetary Protection Policy ... nap.nationalacademies.org 2 facts
claimMars had large amounts of liquid water on its surface in the past, and currently contains water locked in ice at or near the surface, with the possibility of liquid water existing underground.
claimLiquid water is considered necessary for all life as we know it, making the search for past or present water critical in the search for extraterrestrial life.
Alternative Biochemistries: Speculations about Strange Possibilities pressbooks.cuny.edu 1 fact
claimIce has a lower density than liquid water because its molecules are more widely spaced in its lattice configuration, which allows ice to float on top of water.
Does Life Need to Be Carbon-Based? - Reasons to Believe reasons.org Oct 28, 2016 1 fact
claimCarbon dioxide exists as a gas at liquid water room temperatures because carbon atoms form two double bonds with two oxygen atoms, resulting in weak interactions between molecules.
(PDF) Reconsidering the Theological and Ethical Implications of ... academia.edu 1 fact
referenceM. H. Carr's book 'The Surface of Mars' establishes that while other liquids have been suggested, there is broad scientific agreement that liquid water was the agent of erosion on Mars.