Question

4. Atmospheric Loss Processes

The Earth and Venus enjoy thick atmospheres, while the Moon and Mercury are airless. Mars presents an intermediary case.

(a) Describe the three primary mechanisms for atmospheric loss.

(b) In the distant past, Mars had a thicker atmosphere, surface liquid water, and was likely habitable. Why do we think Mars lost most of its atmosphere?

Answer 1

As explained below.

Step-by-step explanation:

• The earth and venus are two planes both of them share the same geologic history but the environment on venus is district as the rotation of the planet is fast as compared to earth and has a very rugged and dry landscape now.

• The picture of mars and moon and repeaters and intermediate cases, of dryness and loss of original atmosphere by solar winds. Primary is solar winds and degassing of the crust of rocks

• Mars too had a thick atmosphere filled with water vapor and oceans and was a habitable planet like earth but after some point of time mars chemical and physical properties changes to a certain extent that now most of 95% of the atmosphere was filled with carbon dioxide and 2.6% of nitrogen, presence of dust methane and other harmful greenhouse gases are in abundance

• Due to heavy bombardment period and erosion of rocky mass by sun and celestial bodies.