Question

Saturn's Atmosphere Saturn's atmosphere consists of \(96.3 \%\) hydrogen and \(3.25 \%\) helium. What percentage of Saturn's atmosphere is made up of other gases?

Short answer

0.45% of Saturn's atmosphere is made up of other gases.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the total percentage

The atmosphere of a planet should sum up to 100%. This means that the combined percentages of all gases present must equal 100% for Saturn's atmosphere. We will use this to find the missing percentage that accounts for other gases.

Sum known percentages

Add the percentages of the known gases, hydrogen and helium, together. The formula will be: \[ 96.3\% + 3.25\% \] This is equivalent to adding 96.3 to 3.25.

Subtract from 100%

Subtract the sum found in Step 2 from 100% to find the percentage of other gases in Saturn's atmosphere. This can be expressed by:\[ 100\% - (96.3\% + 3.25\%) \] Calculating the subtraction gives the percentage of other gases.

Perform the calculation

Compute the actual subtraction: \[ 100\% - 99.55\% = 0.45\% \]So, 0.45% of Saturn's atmosphere is made up of other gases.

Key concepts

Planetary Science

Planetary science is the branch of astronomy dedicated to understanding the planets, moons, and planetary systems. It involves exploring the characteristics and behaviors of different celestial bodies in our solar system and beyond.

Planetary scientists use various methods and tools, including telescopes and space missions, to gather data. They seek to answer fundamental questions about the formation of planets, their atmospheres, and potential for supporting life.

Important areas of planetary science include:

• Geology: Studying the surface features and compositions of planetary bodies.
• Atmospheric Science: Investigating the makeup and dynamics of planetary atmospheres.
• Astrobiology: Searching for signs of life beyond Earth.
• Dynamics: Understanding the movements and interactions within planetary systems.

Planetary science is crucial for piecing together the history of our solar system and estimating the possibilities of other habitable worlds out in the universe.

Atmospheric Composition

Atmospheric composition tells us what elements and molecules are found in the atmosphere surrounding a celestial body. On a planet like Saturn, understanding atmospheric composition helps scientists learn about its structure, weather patterns, and even its origins.

The primary components of Saturn's atmosphere are hydrogen and helium, which together make up the majority of its gaseous envelope. Specifically:

• Hydrogen is the most abundant, at 96.3%.
• Helium follows at 3.25%.

After accounting for hydrogen and helium, we find that 0.45% of the atmosphere is made up of other gases.

These trace gases may include methane, ammonia, and trace amounts of other molecular species, which, even in small quantities, can heavily influence Saturn's atmospheric dynamics and weather phenomena.

Knowing an atmosphere's composition helps us simulate and predict its behavior in various conditions, contributing to our understanding of its past, present, and potential changes it may undergo.

Saturn

Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and is predominantly known for its stunning ring system. It's a gas giant like Jupiter and is primarily made up of hydrogen and helium, reflective of its atmospheric composition.

This planet is the second-largest in our solar system, and its low density means it would float in water, assuming a suitable scale could be devised for such a massive object.

Saturn’s iconic rings are mostly composed of ice particles with smaller amounts of rocky debris and dust. These rings vary in size and disappear and reappear as they orbit the massive giant.

A few fascinating facts about Saturn:

• It has at least 83 moons, with Titan being the largest and exceeding even the size of Mercury.
• Saturn’s banded appearance is due to high-speed winds in its upper atmosphere, reaching up to 1800 km/h.

Saturn continues to be a focus of scientific study, as missions like the Cassini spacecraft have provided valuable insights into its complex atmosphere, moons, and rings, further enriching our understanding of this enchanting planet.