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.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Jupiter's large mass and gravitational influence caused it to interact with many objects in the early solar system, including comets. Through gravitational encounters, Jupiter was able to redirect many of these comets away from the inner solar system, reducing the frequency of potentially catastrophic impacts on Earth. This allowed for a more stable environment for life to evolve.

Why Do Some Scientists Think That Jupiter's Existence May Have