Which of the following best explains why Mars and Venus surface temperatures vary despite post planets having atmospheres that contain mostly carbon dioxide
1 Mars has a surface of red rocks and sand which reflects heat
2 Venus has a thick atmosphere which blocks heat from surface
3 Mars has a thin atmosphere that can’t hold much heat
4 Venus has a surface of high mountains which absorb heat
Which of the following best explains why Mars' and Venus' surface temperatures vary, despite both planets having atmospheres that contain mostly carbon dioxide?(1 point)
Responses
Mars has a thin atmosphere that cannot hold much heat.
Mars has a thin atmosphere that cannot hold much heat.
Venus has a surface of high mountains which absorb heat.
Venus has a surface of high mountains which absorb heat.
Mars has a surface of red rocks and sand which reflect heat.
Mars has a surface of red rocks and sand which reflect heat.
Venus has a thick atmosphere which blocks heat from the surface.
To determine the best explanation for the variation in surface temperatures between Mars and Venus despite both having atmospheres that consist mostly of carbon dioxide, we can analyze the given options and understand the underlying reasons.
1. Mars has a surface of red rocks and sand which reflects heat: This explanation suggests that the surface composition of Mars influences its temperature. If the surface reflects heat, it may contribute to the lower surface temperatures compared to Venus.
2. Venus has a thick atmosphere which blocks heat from the surface: This explanation highlights the role of Venus' thick atmosphere in preventing heat from escaping the surface and contributing to its high temperatures.
3. Mars has a thin atmosphere that can't hold much heat: This explanation suggests that the thin atmosphere of Mars is unable to retain heat effectively, leading to lower surface temperatures.
4. Venus has a surface of high mountains which absorb heat: This explanation implies that the presence of high mountains on Venus absorbs heat, contributing to its high temperatures.
Considering the given information, the most logical explanation is:
2. Venus has a thick atmosphere which blocks heat from the surface.
Venus is known for its dense atmosphere, which creates a greenhouse effect by trapping heat from the Sun. This results in extremely high surface temperatures on Venus, making it the hottest planet in our solar system. In contrast, Mars has a much thinner atmosphere, which is less capable of retaining heat. This leads to lower surface temperatures on Mars despite the presence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Thus, option 2, the thickness of the atmosphere on Venus, is the best explanation for the temperature variation between Mars and Venus.