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)
The correct answer is:
Its atmosphere is rich in carbon dioxide gas.
The correct answer is Jupiter.
The correct answer is less than 1 percent.
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 thick atmosphere which blocks heat from the surface.
Venus has a thick atmosphere which blocks heat from the surface.
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 surface of high mountains which absorb heat.
Why is Venus the hottest solar system planet?(1 point)
Responses
It is closest to the sun.
It is closest to the sun.
It has a core, a mantle, and a crust.
It has a core, a mantle, and a crust.
It has abundance of nitrogen and oxygen gases.
It has abundance of nitrogen and oxygen gases.
Its atmosphere is rich in carbon dioxide gas.
Its atmosphere is rich in carbon dioxide gas.
The weight of an object depends on the force of gravity acting on it. On which planet would a given object weigh the most?
(1 point)
Responses
Jupiter
Jupiter
Saturn
Saturn
Earth
Earth
Mars
Which percent of Earth’s atmosphere does carbon dioxide gas make up?(1 point)
Responses
about 78 percent
about 78 percent
more than 99 percent
more than 99 percent
about 21 percent
about 21 percent
less than 1 percent
The best explanation for the difference in surface temperatures between Mars and Venus, despite both planets having atmospheres consisting mostly of carbon dioxide, is the differences in their atmospheres' thickness and composition. Venus has a much denser atmosphere consisting of mostly carbon dioxide, with thick clouds of sulfuric acid, which creates a greenhouse effect. This traps heat and results in extreme temperatures of up to 864 degrees Fahrenheit (462 degrees Celsius) on its surface, making Venus the hottest planet in our solar system.
On the other hand, Mars has a thin atmosphere made up mostly of carbon dioxide, with no significant greenhouse gases or cloud cover to retain heat. As a result, the heat from the sun quickly escapes back into space, leading to temperatures averaging around -80 degrees Fahrenheit (-62 degrees Celsius) on its surface, making Mars one of the coldest planets in our solar system.
To determine the reason behind the temperature variations on the surfaces of Mars and Venus, we need to consider various factors such as distance from the Sun, greenhouse effect, and atmospheric conditions.
1. Distance from the Sun: The first factor to consider is the distance of each planet from the Sun. Mars is further away from the Sun compared to Venus. This distance affects the amount of solar energy received by each planet. Being closer to the Sun, Venus receives more solar radiation, resulting in higher temperatures on its surface compared to Mars.
2. Greenhouse effect: Both Mars and Venus have atmospheres containing carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases trap heat from the Sun and contribute to the warming of a planet's surface. However, the greenhouse effect on Venus is much stronger than that on Mars. This is because Venus has a significantly thicker atmosphere, which contains a dense concentration of carbon dioxide. The thick atmosphere of Venus causes a strong greenhouse effect, trapping more heat and leading to extremely high temperatures, reaching up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit (475 degrees Celsius) on its surface.
3. Atmospheric conditions: Although both Mars and Venus have carbon dioxide-rich atmospheres, their atmospheric conditions differ. The atmosphere of Mars is much thinner and has a lower pressure compared to Venus. This affects the ability of the Martian atmosphere to retain heat. While the greenhouse effect causes some warming on Mars, the thin atmosphere makes it difficult to trap and retain heat, resulting in colder surface temperatures compared to Venus.
In summary, the variations in surface temperatures of Mars and Venus despite their carbon dioxide-rich atmospheres can be attributed to their different distances from the Sun, the strength of the greenhouse effect, and the atmospheric conditions specific to each planet.
The correct answer is:
Venus has a thick atmosphere which blocks heat from the surface.