Question

Why does liquid water boil away when exposed to the Martian atmosphere?

a. the surface of Mars is much hotter than the surface of Earth.
b. it is quickly absorbed into the dry soil.
c. radiation from the Sun passes through Mars' atmosphere and boils the water.
d. the low air pressure lowers the boiling point

Answer 1

Answer: d. the low air pressure lowers the boiling point

Step-by-step explanation:

Note that there cannot be less than 6.1 millibars of liquid water. This fact is important because the Martian surface atmospheric pressure hovers just below that value. Any water that could form from melting water on a warm afternoon will easily vanish into the desiccated Martian atmosphere.