Who says that PV = nRT applies here?Matt Scherma said:This implicitly makes no sense to me: if PV=nrT, and n increases, then sure P will increase but what is V? Surely they don't expect you to calculate some rbritrary volume from the radius of Mars to 2 meters above that? Very confusing.
If anyone else can actually help it would really be appreciated.
This actually makes sense thanks, PV=nRT was my first port of call when dealing with systems of pressure, volume and quantity of gas.SteamKing said:Who says that PV = nRT applies here?
When the 'ice' caps on Mars sublime and release extra CO2 into the atmosphere, there is a small increase in the surface pressure. What does this increase in pressure tell you about the mass of the atmosphere?
On earth, standard atmospheric pressure is 101,325 Pa. What is the relationship between atmospheric pressure and the mass of the atmosphere on earth?
Matt Scherma said:This actually makes sense thanks, PV=nRT was my first port of call when dealing with systems of pressure, volume and quantity of gas.
Per unit volume, for example a cylinder of flat surface area A, the pressure pushing down from above is mg, where m is the amount of gas contained in a cylinder of equal radius extending to the top of the atmosphere.
I found another equation online:
M_A=4*Pi*R^2/g
do you think this applies to the situation correctly? If so we can just use this to create a Delta M_A if we can calculate g and know M
SteamKing said:The physical properties of Mars (diameter, surface gravity, atmospheric pressure) can be looked up.
The equation for M_A above seems to be missing a key component for the calculation of the mass of the atmosphere. Can you spot it?
Looks good.Matt Scherma said:Oh yes of course, thanks again. Misquoted and missed the pressure there.
I would imagine the equation could then be changed for the purposes of this question to:
DeltaM_A=4*Pi*R^2*DeltaP/g
Then you just have to be careful about the use of units and the question is mathematically simple.
Carbon dioxide plays a crucial role in the formation and maintenance of the Martian ice caps. It is the primary component of the ice caps, making up about 95% of their composition. The carbon dioxide in the ice caps also plays a role in regulating the Martian climate.
The carbon dioxide in the Martian ice caps is believed to have been trapped during periods of high atmospheric pressure in the planet's early history. As the atmosphere thinned, the carbon dioxide froze and became part of the ice caps.
The Martian ice caps are estimated to contain about 30 million cubic kilometers of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to about 85% of the Earth's atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Yes, there is evidence that the amount of carbon dioxide in the Martian ice caps has changed over time. Data from orbiting spacecraft and landers have shown that the ice caps have undergone cycles of expansion and retreat, indicating changes in the amount of carbon dioxide present.
Some scientists have proposed using the carbon dioxide in the Martian ice caps as a resource for future human missions to Mars. This could involve extracting the gas and using it for fuel or for creating habitable environments on the planet. However, more research and development is needed to make this a viable option.