Multiple Choice
Which statement best summarizes the relationship described by the Ideal Gas Law?
7. Gases
The Ideal Gas Law
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Why is the surface of Venus so hot compared to other planets in the solar system?
A
Venus has active volcanoes that constantly heat the surface.
B
Venus rotates rapidly, generating heat through friction.
C
Venus has a thick atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide, causing a strong greenhouse effect.
D
Venus is closer to the Sun than any other planet.
Verified step by step guidance1
Begin by understanding the concept of the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is a process where certain gases in a planet's atmosphere trap heat, preventing it from escaping into space, thus warming the planet's surface.
Identify the composition of Venus's atmosphere. Venus has a thick atmosphere composed primarily of carbon dioxide (CO₂), which is a potent greenhouse gas.
Explain how carbon dioxide contributes to the greenhouse effect. CO₂ molecules absorb infrared radiation emitted from the planet's surface and re-radiate it back, increasing the surface temperature.
Compare Venus's atmosphere to Earth's. While Earth also has a greenhouse effect, Venus's atmosphere is much denser and contains a higher concentration of CO₂, leading to a more intense greenhouse effect.
Conclude by noting that the proximity of Venus to the Sun contributes to its high temperatures, but the primary reason for its extreme heat is the strong greenhouse effect caused by its CO₂-rich atmosphere.
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