Question

In the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn, we see ammonia, ammonia hydrosulfide, and water clouds in three distinct layers. Why don't we see these same three cloud layers in the atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune?

A. Farther from the sun it is too cold for these three layers of clouds to form.
B. These chemicals are not present in the atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune.
C. Uranus and Neptune have no atmosphere.
D. These condensates form one layer in the atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune.
E. These three layers are likely hidden beneath a higher layer of methane cloud

Answer 1

The absence of three distinct cloud layers in Uranus and Neptune is due to their different temperatures, compositions, and atmospheric conditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune, we do not see the same three distinct cloud layers of ammonia, ammonia hydrosulfide, and water like we do in Jupiter and Saturn. This is primarily due to the differences in temperature and composition of their atmospheres.

In the upper atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune, methane is the primary component that forms clouds. Methane clouds mark the upper edge of the planets' tropospheres. The absence of an internal heat source in Uranus may suppress cloud formation and lead to a featureless atmosphere. On the other hand, Neptune has additional cloud layers formed by convection currents that carry warm gas above the methane clouds.

In summary, the absence of the three distinct cloud layers in Uranus and Neptune is due to their different temperatures, compositions, and atmospheric conditions.