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 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. Venus has a thick atmosphere which blocks heat from the surface. Venus has a surface of high mountains which absorb heat. Venus has a surface of high mountains which absorb heat. Mars has a thin atmosphere that cannot hold much heat.

Venus has a thick atmosphere which blocks heat from the surface.

Why is Venus the hottest solar system planet?(1 point) Responses It has abundance of nitrogen and oxygen gases. It has abundance of nitrogen and oxygen gases. It has a core, a mantle, and a crust. It has a core, a mantle, and a crust. It is closest to the sun. It is closest to the sun. Its atmosphere is rich in carbon dioxide gas.

Its atmosphere is rich in carbon dioxide gas.

In between the two main groups of planets of the solar system, there is a vast belt of billions of asteroids. What are these asteroids mostly made of?(1 point) Responses rocks of varying sizes rocks of varying sizes dust and ice particles dust and ice particles swirling gases and liquids swirling gases and liquids comets and space debris

rocks of varying sizes

The best explanation for the difference in surface temperatures between Mars and Venus, despite both planets having atmospheres that contain mostly carbon dioxide, is that Venus has a thick atmosphere which blocks heat from the surface. Mars, on the other hand, has a thin atmosphere that cannot hold much heat.

To understand why this is the case, we need to consider the properties of each planet's atmosphere and how they interact with the incoming solar radiation.

Venus has a dense and thick atmosphere composed mainly of carbon dioxide. This thick atmosphere traps a significant amount of solar radiation and prevents it from escaping into space. This greenhouse effect leads to a strong heating of the planet's surface, causing Venus to have extremely high surface temperatures, reaching up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit (475 degrees Celsius).

Mars, on the other hand, has a much thinner atmosphere compared to Venus. Although Mars' atmosphere is also predominantly composed of carbon dioxide, its thin atmosphere cannot trap as much solar radiation. This results in less heating and lower surface temperatures on Mars.

Furthermore, Mars' surface features, such as its red rocks and sand, play a role in reflecting a portion of the solar radiation back into space. This reflective property helps in reducing the amount of heat absorbed by the planet's surface.

In conclusion, the main reason for the variation in surface temperatures between Mars and Venus, despite both having atmospheres containing mostly carbon dioxide, is the difference in their atmospheric thickness. Venus has a thick atmosphere that blocks heat from the surface, leading to high surface temperatures, while Mars has a thin atmosphere that cannot hold much heat, resulting in lower surface temperatures.