Questions: Rank the objects below in terms of atmospheric thickness starting with the thinnest/smallest/non-existent as number "1" and the thickest as number "4."
Earth
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Transcript text: Rank the objects below in terms of atmospheric thickness starting with the thinnest/smallest/non-existent as number "1" and the thickest as number "4."
Earth
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Solution
The answer is:
Mercury
Mars
Earth
Venus
Explanation:
Mercury: Mercury has an extremely thin atmosphere, often referred to as an exosphere, which is composed of atoms blasted off its surface by the solar wind. It is almost negligible compared to the other planets listed.
Mars: Mars has a thin atmosphere composed mostly of carbon dioxide, with traces of nitrogen and argon. It is much thinner than Earth's atmosphere.
Earth: Earth has a relatively thick atmosphere composed of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and trace amounts of other gases. It supports life and weather systems.
Venus: Venus has the thickest atmosphere among the listed planets. It is composed mainly of carbon dioxide, with clouds of sulfuric acid, and has a surface pressure about 92 times that of Earth's atmosphere.