Which of the following questions about the origin of life on Earth is most scientifically testable?

• A. Did life on Earth begin as a result of a supernatural event?
• B. Was the first life on Earth created by intelligent beings from another planet?
• C. Is the purpose of life on Earth to achieve a specific goal?
• D. Can amino acids form spontaneously under conditions thought to resemble those of early Earth?

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of scientific testability. A scientifically testable question is one that can be investigated through observation, experimentation, and evidence-based reasoning. It must be measurable and falsifiable.
2. Step 2: Analyze each question provided in the problem. Questions involving supernatural events, intelligent beings, or philosophical purposes are not scientifically testable because they cannot be measured or falsified using empirical methods.
3. Step 3: Focus on the question about amino acids forming spontaneously under early Earth conditions. This question is scientifically testable because it involves a hypothesis that can be investigated through controlled experiments.
4. Step 4: Recall historical experiments, such as the Miller-Urey experiment, which simulated early Earth conditions (e.g., a mixture of gases like methane, ammonia, hydrogen, and water vapor, along with energy sources like electrical sparks) to test the spontaneous formation of amino acids.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the question 'Can amino acids form spontaneously under conditions thought to resemble those of early Earth?' is the most scientifically testable because it aligns with the principles of empirical investigation and has been explored through experimental research.