The mass of the Martian atmosphere is about 1/150 the mass of Earth's atmosphere and is composed mainly (95 percent) of carbon dioxide.
1. Given that the mass of Earth's atmosphere is approximately 5.0 times 10^18 kg, estimate the total mass of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of Mars.
2.Compare your answer with the mass of a seasonal polar cap, approximated as a circular sheet of frozen carbon dioxide ("dry ice," having a density of 1600kg/m^3) of diameter 3000km and thickness 1m.
1. Given that the mass of Earth's atmosphere is approximately 5.0 times 10^18 kg, estimate the total mass of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of Mars.
2.Compare your answer with the mass of a seasonal polar cap, approximated as a circular sheet of frozen carbon dioxide ("dry ice," having a density of 1600kg/m^3) of diameter 3000km and thickness 1m.
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1. Earth's atmosphere ~ 5.0 times 10^18 kg
Mars atmosphere is 1/150 of earths
= 5/150 * 10^18 kg
= 3.33 * 10^16 kg
only 95% is CO2
95% * 3.33 * 10^16 kg
= 3.16 * 10^16 kg
2. Area of CO2 ice = pi * r^2
= pi * (1500 * 1000)^2 meters^2
=~ 7.06 * 10^12 m^2
For 1 m thickness
= 7.06 * 10^12 m^3
Density is 1600kg/m^3
so mass of ice cap = 1600 * 7.06 * 10^12 kg
= 1.1 * 10^16 kg
The atmosphere has about 3 times the mass of an ice cap.
Mars atmosphere is 1/150 of earths
= 5/150 * 10^18 kg
= 3.33 * 10^16 kg
only 95% is CO2
95% * 3.33 * 10^16 kg
= 3.16 * 10^16 kg
2. Area of CO2 ice = pi * r^2
= pi * (1500 * 1000)^2 meters^2
=~ 7.06 * 10^12 m^2
For 1 m thickness
= 7.06 * 10^12 m^3
Density is 1600kg/m^3
so mass of ice cap = 1600 * 7.06 * 10^12 kg
= 1.1 * 10^16 kg
The atmosphere has about 3 times the mass of an ice cap.
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That means you have to check my maths.
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