5. ~ Based on the data in Table 7.2 and returning to the fact that the surfaces of Mercury and Earth’s Moon are of similar siz r surfaces appear very similar, suggests that distance from the Sun (circle one) is a more impor actor in determining whether or not a planet will have an atmosphere. Explain your choice. . State whether or not you agree with each student and why or why not. Student 1 Mercury has no atmosphere because it is so close to the Sun that it is just too hot to hold on to the atmospheric gases. Student 2 You are forgetting about Earth's Moon. It is a further distance from the Sun than Mercury and it has little or no atmosphere either but it is similar in size and mass to Mercury so whether or not an object has enough mass to gravitationally hold the gasses is what matters. | do not agree with student 1. This is because the said that mercury is to hot to sustain an atmposphere. This is not true bc they are the hottest planet and still have one. . Based on the data in Table 7.2 and your lists in Table 7.1, what factor appears to most affect the pressure (or thickness) of an atmosphere? Explain your answer. . Now, based on the data in Table 7.2 list only the terrestrial planets that have atmospheres, in order from the highest surface temperature to the lowest. Based on your answer the size @ (circle one) seems to be the factor that most affects the surface temperature of a terrestrial planet with an atmo- " venus,ari,, m o . Can you think of a reason that the surface temperatures of Mercury and Earth’s M®on are so variable while those of the other terrestrial planets are more constant? NY QM3 paere
