Question

The temperature on the surface of Venus is 736 K. Convert this temperature into degrees Fahrenheit and degrees Celsius. Describe what the atmosphere of Venus might be like.

Short answer

736 K is approximately 462.85 °C and 865.13 °F. Venus's atmosphere is dense and carbon dioxide-rich.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Problem

We are given a temperature on Venus in Kelvin (736 K) and asked to convert it into degrees Fahrenheit and degrees Celsius. We also need to describe the atmosphere of Venus.

Convert Kelvin to Celsius

To convert from Kelvin to Celsius, use the formula: \[ C = K - 273.15 \]Substitute 736 for K:\[ C = 736 - 273.15 = 462.85 \]Thus, the temperature in Celsius is approximately 462.85 °C.

Convert Celsius to Fahrenheit

After finding the temperature in Celsius, convert it to Fahrenheit using the formula: \[ F = \frac{9}{5}C + 32 \]Substitute 462.85 for C:\[ F = \frac{9}{5} imes 462.85 + 32 = 865.13 \]Thus, the temperature in Fahrenheit is approximately 865.13 °F.

Explore Venus's Atmosphere

The atmosphere of Venus is very dense and consists mainly of carbon dioxide, with clouds of sulfuric acid. It is about 90 times denser than Earth's atmosphere, leading to extreme pressure. This thick atmosphere results in high temperatures and a powerful greenhouse effect.

Key concepts

Atmosphere of Venus

Venus, often referred to as Earth's "sister planet," has an atmosphere that is vastly different from our own. The atmosphere of Venus is predominantly composed of carbon dioxide, constituting about 96.5% of its total volume. This high concentration is primarily responsible for the intense greenhouse effect occurring on the planet, leading to extremely high surface temperatures, up to 736 K (462.85 °C or 865.13 °F).
Unlike Earth, the atmosphere of Venus is extremely dense and exerts pressure approximately 90 times greater. This is comparable to being 900 meters underwater on Earth! For context, this corresponds to about 13,362 pounds per square inch.

• The thick, toxic clouds of sulfuric acid on Venus are a defining feature, giving the sky an orange-ish brown color.
• The atmosphere is not suitable for human life due to its toxic makeup and extreme conditions.
• Frequent winds in the upper atmosphere can reach speeds of 355 km/h (approximately 220 mph), drastically affecting weather patterns on the planet.

Understanding Venus's atmosphere provides insights into the potential effects of greenhouse gases and the importance of maintaining Earth's atmospheric balance.

Kelvin to Celsius Conversion

Converting temperatures from Kelvin to Celsius is a critical skill in science, especially in fields dealing with planetary atmospheres. The conversion process is simple thanks to the direct nature of the Kelvin scale, which starts at absolute zero. The formula used for converting Kelvin to Celsius is: \[ C = K - 273.15 \]
This formula reveals that every temperature measurement in Kelvin is simply adjusted by subtracting 273.15 to convert it to Celsius. For instance, the surface temperature of Venus is measured as 736 K. By subtracting 273.15, we convert this to a Celsius temperature of 462.85 °C.

• This method underscores the relative ease of conversion between these two scales because Kelvin and Celsius increments are the same size.
• Understanding this conversion helps scientists interpret temperatures on other planets, which are often measured in Kelvin.
• It is important in scientific endeavors because many fields, such as physics and chemistry, utilize the Kelvin scale for precision.

Ensuring clear conversion between these temperatures allows for accurate scientific understanding and communication.

Celsius to Fahrenheit Conversion

Understanding how to convert temperatures from Celsius to Fahrenheit is useful, given Fahrenheit is still widely used in a few countries like the United States for everyday temperature measurement. The conversion from Celsius to Fahrenheit requires using the formula: \[ F = \frac{9}{5}C + 32 \]
Here's how it works: once the temperature of Venus has been converted from Kelvin to Celsius (462.85 °C), this Celsius value can then be used to find the corresponding Fahrenheit temperature. By substituting 462.85 for C in the formula, you get a Fahrenheit temperature of approximately 865.13 °F.

• This step reveals how Celsius temperatures, once converted, offer another method to express temperature information crucial for certain audiences.
• These conversions are essential for many applications, whether it's academic, relating atmospheric science across different regions, or essential programming where accurate temperature representation is required.
• Moreover, this conversion is vital for fostering a universal understanding among scientific communities globally.

Familiarity with these conversions is fundamental in ensuring smooth communication and understanding in both everyday and scientific contexts.