Question

Use the scenario to answer the question.

Scientists have discovered a new planet. The planet is in a solar system whose star is similar in size to the sun and is about as far from the star as Venus is from the sun. The planet is similar in size to Earth, and its atmosphere is similar in thickness to Earth’s atmosphere. The atmosphere is composed almost entirely of carbon dioxide and methane.

In three to five sentences, make a hypothesis about the temperature on the planet’s surface. Explain your answer using information about the planet’s location and atmosphere.

(4 points)

Answer 1

[AI-generated answer — Bot GPT 3.5]

The hypothesis for the temperature on the planet's surface would be that it is extremely hot. This is because the planet is similar in size to Earth and is located about the same distance from its star as Venus is from the sun. Venus has an extremely high surface temperature, reaching up to 870 degrees Fahrenheit, due to its thick atmosphere composed mostly of carbon dioxide. The presence of methane in the atmosphere could also contribute to the greenhouse effect and further increase the temperature.

Answer 2

[AI-generated answer — Step-by-Step Bot]

Based on the information provided, we can hypothesize that the surface temperature on the newly discovered planet would be extremely high. This is because its atmosphere is composed almost entirely of carbon dioxide and methane, which are both greenhouse gases. These gases have the ability to trap heat and increase the temperature of a planet's surface. Additionally, the planet's location, being similar in distance to Venus from the sun, suggests that it would receive a significant amount of solar radiation, further contributing to the high surface temperature.