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Chapter 9: Problem 9

The atmosphere of Mars is often pink-orange because a. it is dominated by carbon dioxide. b. the Sun is at a low angle in the sky. c. Mars has no oceans to reflect blue light to the sky. d. winds lift dust into the atmosphere.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The correct answer is D: winds lift dust into the atmosphere.

Step by step solution

01

- Understand the Question

Identify why the atmosphere of Mars appears pink-orange by analyzing the provided options.
02

- Evaluate Option A

Option A states that the atmosphere is dominated by carbon dioxide. While Mars' atmosphere is primarily carbon dioxide, this gas does not cause the pink-orange color.
03

- Evaluate Option B

Option B states that the Sun is at a low angle in the sky. Though this can affect color appearances, it does not continually cause a pink-orange tint irrespective of time of day.
04

- Evaluate Option C

Option C states that Mars has no oceans to reflect blue light to the sky. The absence of oceans might impact overall atmospheric characteristics but is not directly responsible for the pink-orange color.
05

- Evaluate Option D

Option D suggests that winds lift dust into the atmosphere. Martian dust contains iron oxide (rust), which has a reddish color, and this dust being lifted into the atmosphere can give the sky its pink-orange appearance.
06

- Conclusion

From the evaluations, Option D is the most plausible explanation because Martian dust, which results in the pink-orange sky, is often lifted by wind.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Martian dust
Martian dust plays a crucial role in giving Mars its distinctive pink-orange sky. The red planet is often shrouded in fine dust particles that swirl around due to strong wind activity.
These winds lift the dust high into the atmosphere, dispersing it widely. The dust is very fine and can stay suspended in the atmosphere for long periods.
This widespread dust scattering is a primary reason for Mars' characteristic sky color.
  • Martian dust is incredibly fine, even finer than typical Earth dust.
  • The dust particles are small but abundant, leading to widespread atmospheric dispersal.
  • Frequent dust storms can further enhance the pinkish tint.
The interaction of sunlight with these suspended dust particles results in the pink-orange hue.
Iron oxide
Iron oxide, commonly known as rust, is another essential component of the Martian atmosphere's color. Martian dust contains a substantial amount of iron oxide, which gives it a reddish-brown color.
When sunlight interacts with these iron oxide particles, it scatters red and orange wavelengths, creating the iconic pink-orange hue seen in the Martian sky.
The presence of iron oxide is so significant that it affects not only the color of the sky but also the surface of Mars itself.
  • Iron oxide gives Martian dust its reddish appearance.
  • The scattering of light by iron oxide particles is a major factor in the atmospheric color.
  • Iron oxide is also responsible for Mars' red surface.
Exploring further, scientists have found that iron oxide isn't just found on the surface but mixed into Martian rocks and soil.
Atmospheric composition
The composition of Martian atmosphere is different from that of Earth, leading to its unique characteristics. Mars' atmosphere is primarily carbon dioxide (about 95%), with traces of other gases like nitrogen and argon.
Though this composition doesn't directly influence the pink-orange color, it does interact with Martian dust and solar radiation.
  • Primary component: Carbon dioxide (~95%).
  • Other gases: Nitrogen (2.7%), Argon (1.6%).
  • Trace elements including oxygen and water vapor.
The thin atmosphere (less than 1% of Earth's atmospheric pressure) means particles are more easily lofted and suspended.
This lower pressure and different composition facilitate the widespread scattering of dust and its reddish-tinged iron oxide particles.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Global warming appears to be responsible for increased melting of the ice in Earth's polar regions. a. Why does the melting of Arctic ice, which floats on the surface of the Arctic Ocean, not affect the level of the oceans? b. How is the melting of glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica affecting the level of the oceans?

The total mass of Earth's atmosphere is \(5 \times 10^{18} \mathrm{kg}\). Carbon dioxide \(\left(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\right)\) makes up about 0.06 percent of Earth's atmospheric mass. a. What is the mass of \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) (in kilograms) in Earth's atmosphere? b. The annual global production of \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) is now estimated to be \(3 \times 10^{13} \mathrm{kg} .\) What annual fractional increase does this represent? c. The mass of a molecule of \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) is \(7.31 \times 10^{-26} \mathrm{kg}\). How many molecules of \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) are added to the atmosphere each year? d. Why does an increase in \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) have such a big effect, even though it represents a small fraction of the atmosphere?

Hadley circulation is broken into zonal winds by a. convection from solar heating b. hurricanes and other storms. c. interactions with the solar wind. d. the planet's rapid rotation.

Auroras are the result of a. the interaction of particles from the Sun and Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field. b. upper-atmosphere lightning strikes. c. the destruction of stratospheric ozone, which leaves a hole. d. the interaction of Earth's magnetic field with Earth's atmosphere

Atmospheric pressure is caused by the weight of a column of air above you pushing down. At sea level on Earth, this pressure is equal to \(10^{5}\) newtons per square meter \(\left(\mathrm{N} / \mathrm{m}^{2}\right)\) a. Estimate the total force on the top of your head from this pressure. b. Recall that the acceleration due to gravity is \(9.8 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}^{2}\). If the force in part (a) were caused by a kangaroo sitting on your head, what would the mass of the kangaroo be? c. Assume a typical kangaroo has a mass of 60 kg. How many kangaroos would have to be sitting on your head to be equal to the extremely massive kangaroo in part (b)? d. Why are you not crushed by this astonishing force on your head?
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