The gases that surround a planet are typically found in its atmosphere. Each planet has a unique atmospheric composition based on its distance from the Sun, its mass, and other factors. Here’s a brief overview of Earth's atmosphere and the atmospheres of other planets in the solar system:
Earth's Atmosphere
Earth's atmosphere is composed of:
- Nitrogen (N₂): ~78%
- Oxygen (O₂): ~21%
- Argon (Ar): ~0.93%
- Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): ~0.04%
- Trace gases: including neon, helium, methane, krypton, and hydrogen.
Other Planets' Atmospheres
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Venus:
- Mainly carbon dioxide (CO₂): ~96.5%
- Nitrogen (N₂): ~3.5%
- Trace amounts of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and water vapor (H₂O).
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Mars:
- Carbon dioxide (CO₂): ~95.3%
- Nitrogen (N₂): ~2.7%
- Argon (Ar): ~1.6%
- Oxygen (O₂): ~0.13%
- Water vapor and other trace gases.
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Jupiter:
- Hydrogen (H₂): ~90%
- Helium (He): ~10%
- Methane (CH₄), ammonia (NH₃), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and water vapor in trace amounts.
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Saturn:
- Hydrogen (H₂): ~96%
- Helium (He): ~3%
- Methane (CH₄), ammonia (NH₃), and other gases in trace amounts.
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Uranus:
- Hydrogen (H₂): ~83%
- Helium (He): ~15%
- Methane (CH₄): ~2%, which gives it a blue color.
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Neptune:
- Hydrogen (H₂): ~80%
- Helium (He): ~19%
- Methane (CH₄): ~1%, contributing to its blue color.
Dwarf Planets
- Pluto: Has a thin atmosphere primarily composed of nitrogen (N₂), with traces of methane (CH₄) and carbon monoxide (CO).
These atmospheric compositions can affect a planet's climate, surface conditions, and potential habitability.