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Chapter 9: Problem 4

Earth's atmosphere is much different in composition than Venus's because a. water is a liquid on the surface of Earth. b. the two planets' secondary atmospheres formed differently. c. Earth has had fewer impacts. d. Earth retained more of its primary atmosphere.

Short Answer

Expert verified
b. the two planets' secondary atmospheres formed differently.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the composition difference

Both Earth and Venus have significant differences in their atmospheric compositions. To determine the correct answer, understand key differences in their atmospheric histories and compositions.
02

Evaluate option (a)

Water is a liquid on Earth due to its temperature and atmospheric pressure. However, this does not directly explain the difference in overall atmospheric composition.
03

Evaluate option (b)

Secondary atmospheres form from volcanic outgassing and other processes after the initial atmosphere dissipates. Differences in these processes could lead to different atmospheric compositions.
04

Evaluate option (c)

Although impacts can influence an atmosphere, the number and size of impacts alone do not fully account for the compositional differences between Earth and Venus.
05

Evaluate option (d)

Primary atmospheres are the original atmospheres a planet might capture from the nebula. Earth retained more of its primary atmosphere compared to Venus, which isn't the main reason for the current differences observed.
06

Conclusion

Upon reviewing all the options, the most plausible explanation is option (b). The two planets have different atmospheric compositions primarily because their secondary atmospheres formed differently due to varying processes and conditions.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

atmospheric composition
Planetary atmospheres are a mix of gases surrounding planets, held by gravity. These compositions can vary widely across different planets in our solar system. Earth's atmosphere, for instance, is primarily a mixture of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%), with traces of other gases like argon and carbon dioxide. Conversely, Venus has a thick atmosphere consisting mainly of carbon dioxide (over 96%) and clouds of sulfuric acid.

These differences have significant implications for each planet's environment and life-support potential. Earth's atmosphere supports life by providing breathable oxygen and a climate-regulating greenhouse effect. On the other hand, Venus's dense carbon dioxide atmosphere creates an extreme greenhouse effect, leading to surface temperatures hot enough to melt lead. Understanding these compositional differences helps us learn why one planet might be more habitable than another.
secondary atmospheres
Secondary atmospheres develop after a planet's primary atmosphere, the original gases captured from the solar nebula, dissipates. This process involves volcanic outgassing, cometary impacts, and other geological and cosmic events. These events release gases like carbon dioxide, water vapor, and nitrogen into the atmosphere.

Earth's secondary atmosphere likely formed from volcanic activity, releasing water vapor and other gases. Over time, water condensed to form oceans, and photosynthetic life evolved, releasing oxygen. This step-by-step transformation led to our current atmosphere.

Venus, however, experienced a runaway greenhouse effect. Intense solar radiation and volcanic activity caused water to evaporate and CO2 to accumulate, resulting in its present, inhospitable atmosphere. This illustrates how different processes can drastically alter atmospheric compositions.
planetary differences
Not all planets are created equal, especially when it comes to their atmospheres. Several factors contribute to these differences:
  • Distance from the Sun: Proximity influences temperature and solar radiation levels.
  • Planetary mass: This determines the gravity needed to hold an atmosphere.
  • Geological activity: Volcanic eruptions and plate tectonics release gases into the atmosphere.
  • Impacts: Meteorite and comet collisions can deliver or strip away atmospheric gases.

These factors explain why Earth and Venus developed such distinct atmospheres. Earth's distance from the Sun allows liquid water, critical for life. Venus is closer to the Sun, leading to higher temperatures and a thicker, more hostile atmosphere.

Therefore, understanding these planetary differences is crucial for grasping why each atmosphere is unique.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Auroras do not happen on the Moon, because the Moon a. does not have a strong magnetic field. b. does not have an atmosphere. c. is protected from the solar wind by Earth. d. both a and b

The total mass of Earth's atmosphere is \(5 \times 10^{18} \mathrm{kg}\). Carbon dioxide \(\left(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\right)\) makes up about 0.06 percent of Earth's atmospheric mass. a. What is the mass of \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) (in kilograms) in Earth's atmosphere? b. The annual global production of \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\), is now estimated to be 3 \(\times 10^{13} \mathrm{kg} .\) What annual fractional increase does this represent? c. The mass of a molecule of \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) is \(7.31 \times 10^{-26} \mathrm{kg}\). How many molecules of \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) are added to the atmosphere each year? d. Why does an increase in \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) have such a big effect, even though it represents a small fraction of the atmosphere?

The ability of wind to erode the surface of a planet is related in part to the wind's kinetic energy. a. Compare the kinetic energy of a cubic meter of air at sea level on Earth (mass \(1.23 \mathrm{kg}\) ) moving at a speed of \(10 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\) with a cubic meter of air at the surface of Venus (mass \(64.8 \mathrm{kg}\) ) moving at \(1 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\). b. Compare the kinetic-energy value you determined for Earth in part (a) with that of a cubic meter of air at the surface of Mars (mass \(0.015 \mathrm{kg}\) ) moving at a speed of \(50 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\). c. Why do you think there is not more evidence of wind erosion on Earth?

Place in chronological order the following steps in the formation and evolution of Earth's atmosphere. a. Plant life converts \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) to oxygen. b. Hydrogen and helium are lost from the atmosphere. c. Volcanoes, comets, and asteroids increase the inventory of volatile matter. d. Hydrogen and helium are captured from the protoplanetary disk. e. Oxygen enables the growth of new life-forms. f. Life releases \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) from the subsurface into the atmosphere.

Watch a science fiction film about people going to Mars. How does the film handle the science? Can people breathe the atmosphere? Are the low surface gravity and atmospheric pressure correctly portrayed? Do the astronauts have access to water?
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