Which terrestrial planet has an atmosphere similar to Earth's?
Mars*
Venus
None of the above
You are correct
The correct answer is Venus. To determine this, you can compare the qualities of the atmospheres of the different terrestrial planets.
To find information about the atmospheres of these planets, you can refer to reliable sources such as scientific journals, space agency websites (like NASA or ESA), or planetary science textbooks.
Comparing the atmospheres of Mars and Venus, you would find that Venus has an atmosphere more similar to Earth's. Here are a few key points to consider:
1. Composition: Venus has an atmosphere primarily composed of carbon dioxide (around 96%), similar to Earth's atmosphere, which is about 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Mars has a much thinner atmosphere, mostly made up of carbon dioxide as well, but its composition is significantly different from Earth's.
2. Pressure: Venus has a much higher atmospheric pressure compared to both Earth and Mars. The surface pressure on Venus is about 92 times greater than Earth's, while Mars has an atmospheric pressure less than 1% of Earth's.
3. Greenhouse effect: Venus has a strong greenhouse effect due to the high concentration of carbon dioxide in its atmosphere, leading to a surface temperature over 800 degrees Fahrenheit (or 450 degrees Celsius). Earth also has a greenhouse effect, but to a lesser extent, contributing to its moderate and habitable climate. Mars lacks a significant greenhouse effect, resulting in extremely cold temperatures.
Considering these factors, Venus is the terrestrial planet with an atmosphere most similar to Earth's.