Comparing atmospheres

The most plentiful chemical elements found in the Sun and the gas giants are...

• hydrogen and helium
• nitrogen and oxygen
• carbon dioxide and nitrogen
• hydrogen and methane

Compared to the terrestrial planets of the inner Solar System, the gas giants contain mainly ____________ gases in their atmospheres.

• heavier gases
• lighter gases
• inert gases (not chemically active)
• reactive gases

Which two terrestrial planets have atmospheres dominated by carbon dioxide CO₂?

• Venus and Earth

• Mercury and Mars

• Venus and Mars

• Venus and Mercury

Among the terrestrial planets, Earth's atmosphere is exceptional because...

• it contains low amounts of nitrogen N₂.

• it has a high % of argon Ar.

• it has a high % of oxygen and a low % of carbon dioxide.

• it has a large % (>10%) of greenhouse gases.

Earth's first atmosphere was composed of high amounts of...

• nitrogen and oxygen
• carbon dioxide and nitrogen
• hydrogen and helium
• methane and argon

The two primary greenhouse gases that moderate Earth's climate today are ...

• carbon dioxide and water vapor

• nitrogen and ozone

• nitrogen and argon

• hydrogen and helium

Greenhouse gases generate "heat" in the atmosphere by...

• undergoing a chemical reaction
• undergoing fusion
• absorbing infrared  light
• reflecting incoming sunlight

The planet with practically no atmosphere at all is _________________.

• Mars
• Mercury
• neither one

The gas giants are different from the terrestrial planets because they

• have smaller atmospheres
• are less dense
• have larger atmospheres
• are more colorful

Which planet is the hottest due to the greenhouse effect?

• Mercury

• Venus

• Earth

• Neptune