Photo AI
Titan is a moon of the planet Saturn - AQA - GCSE Chemistry - Question 8 - 2019 - Paper 2
Question 8
Titan is a moon of the planet Saturn. Table 3 shows the percentages of the gases in the atmosphere of Titan. | Gas | Percentage of gas in atmosphere (%)... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Titan is a moon of the planet Saturn - AQA - GCSE Chemistry - Question 8 - 2019 - Paper 2
Step 1
Explain why these organisms could not have evolved in the same way that life is thought to have evolved on Earth.
Answer
On Titan, there is very little or no oxygen present. Without oxygen, photosynthesis cannot occur, which is essential for the development of life forms seen on Earth. Additionally, the lack of carbon dioxide means that oxygen-using animals could not have evolved, as they rely on carbon dioxide for their metabolic processes.
Step 2
Explain how this greenhouse gas keeps Titan warmer than the other moons of Saturn.
Answer
Methane allows shorter wavelength radiation to pass through from the sun. This radiation is then re-emitted from the surface of Titan as longer wavelength radiation, which is subsequently absorbed by methane in the atmosphere. This process traps heat, warming Titan compared to the other moons, which lack an atmosphere.
Step 3