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
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 thin atmosphere that cannot hold much heat.
Mars has a thin atmosphere that cannot hold much 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 surface of high mountains which absorb heat.
The surface temperatures of Mars and Venus vary primarily due to the density of their atmospheres and the resulting greenhouse effect.
1. Venus has a thick atmosphere which is composed of over 96% carbon dioxide, a potent greenhouse gas. This dense atmosphere creates an intense greenhouse effect, trapping heat and causing surface temperatures to soar up to about 467°C (872°F). This is hot enough to melt lead and is actually hotter than the surface of Mercury, despite Venus being farther from the Sun.
2. Mars, on the other hand, has a thin atmosphere with a composition of about 95% carbon dioxide. However, because the Martian atmosphere is so thin (less than 1% of Earth's atmospheric pressure at sea level), it cannot retain heat effectively. This results in a much cooler surface with average temperatures around -63°C (-81°F).
Therefore, the most accurate statement explaining the temperature difference between Venus and Mars is:
"Mars has a thin atmosphere that cannot hold much heat."