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Chapter 18: Problem 36

The atmosphere of Mars is \(96 \% \mathrm{CO}_{2}\), with a pressure of approximately \(0.6 \mathrm{kPa}\) at the surface. Based on measurements taken over a period of several years by the Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS), the average daytime temperature at the REMS location on Mars is \(-5.7^{\circ} \mathrm{C},\) while the average nighttime temperature is \(-79^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). This daily variation in temperature is much larger than what we experience on Earth. What factor plays the largest role in this wide temperature variation, the composition or the density of the atmosphere?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The primary factor responsible for the wide temperature variation on Mars is the density of the Martian atmosphere. Although the atmosphere is composed of 96% CO2, which is suitable for trapping heat, its low density (pressure of 0.6 kPa) chiefly diminishes the efficiency of the greenhouse effect, causing significant temperature differences between daytime and nighttime.

Step by step solution

01

Analyzing the role of composition in temperature variation

The composition of the Martian atmosphere is predominantly carbon dioxide (CO2) at 96%. CO2 is a greenhouse gas, which means it can trap heat in the atmosphere. However, because the atmosphere of Mars is much less dense than Earth's, it is less effective at retaining heat during the day, which might explain in part the wide variation in temperature. But we still need to analyze the influence of the density of the atmosphere to make a conclusion.
02

Analyzing the density of the atmosphere in temperature variation

The pressure of the Martian atmosphere at the surface is approximately 0.6 kPa. Compared to Earth's average surface pressure of approximately 101 kPa, Mars has a remarkably less dense atmosphere. As a result, there are fewer particles in Mars' atmosphere to trap sunlight and heat during the day, leading to more extreme temperature variations.
03

Comparing the significance of composition and density

On Earth, the greenhouse effect is significant in maintaining relatively stable temperature variations because of its denser atmosphere. On Mars, the composition of the atmosphere, being mainly CO2, would qualify to have a substantial greenhouse effect; however, the low atmospheric density restricts the efficiency of the greenhouse effect.
04

Conclusion

In conclusion, the primary factor responsible for the wide temperature variation on Mars is the density of the Martian atmosphere. Although the composition is suitable for trapping heat, the low density of the atmosphere largely diminishes the efficacy of the greenhouse effect, leading to significant temperature changes between daytime and nighttime.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

A first-stage recovery of magnesium from seawater is precipitation of \(\mathrm{Mg}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}\) with \(\mathrm{CaO};\) $$ \mathrm{Mg}^{2+}(a q)+\mathrm{CaO}(s)+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) \longrightarrow \mathrm{Mg}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}(s)+\mathrm{Ca}^{2+}(a q) $$ What mass of \(\mathrm{CaO}\), in grams, is needed to precipitate $1000 \mathrm{~kg}\( of \)\mathrm{Mg}(\mathrm{OH})_{2} ?$

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