) The molecules that are trapped in a planet’s atmosphere depend on their mass, the planet’s mass, the planet’s radius,
Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2022 11:49 am
) The molecules that are trapped in a planet’s atmosphere depend
on their mass, the planet’s mass, the planet’s radius, and the
planet’s temperature. The equation showing the temperature limit
(the planet must be cooler than this to retain the gas) was given
in class. (a) On a log-log plot draw the lines showing the
temperature limits for molecular hydrogen (H2) and carbon dioxide
(CO2) as a function of M/R (where M is the mass in Earth masses, R
is the radius in Earth Radii). [Plot log(base 10) Temperature on
the y axis and log(base 10) M/R on the x axis.] Show your
calculations for one of the molecules. (b) On this plot add points
for the surface/atmospheric temperature of all of the major
planets. (You will need to look these up somewhere. You will find
that this can be a bit confusing! For example some internet sites
confuse average temperature with lowest temperature.) Your final
plot will have two lines (one for each of the molecules) and eight
points (one for each planet). (c) Briefly discuss the retention of
atmospheric gases for each planet. For example: Are any of these
close to a limit and what does that suggest? How are these results
relevant for the formation and evolution of the planets?
on their mass, the planet’s mass, the planet’s radius, and the
planet’s temperature. The equation showing the temperature limit
(the planet must be cooler than this to retain the gas) was given
in class. (a) On a log-log plot draw the lines showing the
temperature limits for molecular hydrogen (H2) and carbon dioxide
(CO2) as a function of M/R (where M is the mass in Earth masses, R
is the radius in Earth Radii). [Plot log(base 10) Temperature on
the y axis and log(base 10) M/R on the x axis.] Show your
calculations for one of the molecules. (b) On this plot add points
for the surface/atmospheric temperature of all of the major
planets. (You will need to look these up somewhere. You will find
that this can be a bit confusing! For example some internet sites
confuse average temperature with lowest temperature.) Your final
plot will have two lines (one for each of the molecules) and eight
points (one for each planet). (c) Briefly discuss the retention of
atmospheric gases for each planet. For example: Are any of these
close to a limit and what does that suggest? How are these results
relevant for the formation and evolution of the planets?