What is the relationship between the habitable zone and the existence of liquid water on a planet?

The habitable zone, also known as the Goldilocks zone, is the region around a star where the conditions are just right for liquid water to exist on the surface of a planet. The existence of liquid water is a key factor in determining whether a planet is capable of supporting life as we know it.

Planets located within the habitable zone of a star are not too hot, nor too cold, but are just the right temperature to allow liquid water to exist on their surface. This is because liquid water can only exist within a specific temperature range. If a planet is too close to its star, the water will evaporate, and if it is too far away, the water will freeze.

However, the habitable zone is not the only factor that determines whether a planet can support life. Other factors such as the planet's atmosphere, magnetic field, and geological activity also play important roles in creating a habitable environment.