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Chapter 13: Problem 11

Despite all the gases released from its interior by volcanic activity, Io does not possess a thick atmosphere. Explain why not.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Io doesn't have a thick atmosphere despite the gases released by its volcanic activity because its low gravity can't hold on to the gases, Jupiter's strong gravitational pull and solar wind strip gases away, and Io lacks a significant magnetic field to shield it from solar radiation.

Step by step solution

01

Discuss Atmospheric Escape

Atmospheric escape refers to the loss of planetary atmospheric gases to outer space. On any given planet, this can occur when a planet's gravitational pull is not strong enough to retain the atmospheric particles against the thermal energy driving the particles to escape.
02

Explain Io's Low Gravity

Io, one of Jupiter's moons, is smaller than Earth, and therefore its gravitational pull is not as strong as Earth’s. As such, it has a harder time holding on to its atmospheric gases against the thermal energy generated by its volcanic activity.
03

Discuss The Effect of Jupiter's Gravity and Solar Wind

Another reason is the gravitational pull of Jupiter and solar wind. Jupiter, being the largest planet in our solar system, exerts a significant gravitational pull which can strip away gases from Io’s atmosphere. Furthermore, the solar wind (a stream of charged particles released from the sun) can also contribute to the loss of gases from Io's atmosphere.
04

Explain Lack of Magnetic Field

Finally, it should be noted that Io lacks a significant magnetic field to shield it from solar radiation. This radiation can effectively 'blow away' some of the gases in an atmosphere. Without such a shield, Io’s atmosphere stands a lower chance of becoming thick.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Find the escape speed on Titan. What is the limiting molecular weight of gases that could be retained by Titan's gravity? (Hint: Use the ideas presented in Box 7-2 and assume an average atmospheric temperature of \(95 \mathrm{~K}\).)

Why can't the Galilean satellites be seen with the naked eye?

Saturn's equator is tilted by \(27^{\circ}\) from the ecliptic, while Jupiter's equator is tilted by only \(3^{\circ}\). Use these data to explain why we see fewer transits, eclipses, and occultations of Saturn's satellites than of the Galilean satellites.

Long before the Voyager flybys, Earth-based astronomers reported that Io appeared brighter than usual for the few hours after it emerged from Jupiter's shadow. From what we know about the material ejected from Io's volcanoes, suggest an explanation for this brief brightening of Io.

Explain why debris from Phoebe would be expected to pile up only on the leading hemisphere of Iapetus. (Hint: How do the orbits of these two satellites compare? How does the orbital motion of debris falling slowly inward toward Saturn compare with the orbital motion of Iapetus?) 38\. Saturn's equator is tilted by \(27^{\circ}\) from the ecliptic, while Jupiter's equator is tilted by only \(3^{\circ}\). Use these data to explain why we see fewer transits, eclipses, and occultations of Saturn's satellites than of the Galilean satellites.
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