Earth: Portrait of a Planet (Fifth Edition)
Earth: Portrait of a Planet (Fifth Edition)
5th Edition
ISBN: 9780393937503
Author: Stephen Marshak
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Question
Book Icon
Chapter 2, Problem 1RQ
To determine

The reason why the astronomers consider the space between the planets to be a vacuum in comparison with the atmosphere near the sea level.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 1RQ

The astronomers believe that the space between the planets is a vacuum that is related to the atmosphere near the sea level due to the very low density of matter there.

Explanation of Solution

The interstellar space in the solar system hardly consists of one atom per liter when compared to the air at the sea level which has around 2.7×1022atomsperliter. The interplanetary space in the solar system contains about 5,000100,000atomsperliter which is little denser when related to the interstellar space. However, this volume is very less when compared to the air at the sea level.

The density of atoms in the space between the planets or stars is very low when related to the air at the sea level and is very close to a vacuum condition. It is because of this reason that the astronomers consider the space between the planets as a region of vacuum.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Which oxidants oxidize NO to NO 2 (select all that apply)? 03 OH HO2 RO2
Which oxidants must oxidize NO to NO 2 in order to lead to net formation of ozone (select all that apply)? ☐ 03 ☐ OH U HO2 RO2
Exercise Ten / Geologic Time 177 d. Based on the ages of the rock layers in outcrop 1, identify an unconformity. Remember that an unconformity is a break in the rock record. Draw a wavy line on the figure to represent the unconformity. Ginkgo Period Ginkgo Lepidodendron Dimetrodon Period Tyrannosaurus Calamites Inoceramus Period Lepidodendron Rhodocrinites Archimedes Eurypterus Period Sharks Period Phacops Agnostus Outcrop 1 Period Period Ichthyosaurus Period Sharks Ceratites Period Paleolimulus A Figure 10.17 Sequences of sedimentary rock layers to accompany Question 7. 10.8 Numerical Dating with Radioactivity ■ Explain the principle of radiometric dating, including half-life, parent isotope, and daughter product. Radioactivity has provided a reliable means for calculating the numerical (absolute) age of rocks, a procedure called radiometric dating. Radioactive isotopes, such as uranium-238, emit particles from their nuclei that we call radiation. Ultimately, the process of decay…
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science ...
Earth Science
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Exercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)
Earth Science
ISBN:9780134041360
Author:Greg Carbone
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Environmental Science
Earth Science
ISBN:9781260153125
Author:William P Cunningham Prof., Mary Ann Cunningham Professor
Publisher:McGraw-Hill Education
Text book image
Earth Science (15th Edition)
Earth Science
ISBN:9780134543536
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Environmental Science (MindTap Course List)
Earth Science
ISBN:9781337569613
Author:G. Tyler Miller, Scott Spoolman
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Physical Geology
Earth Science
ISBN:9781259916823
Author:Plummer, Charles C., CARLSON, Diane H., Hammersley, Lisa
Publisher:Mcgraw-hill Education,