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What is molecular weight (mass?

What would Mercury's mass have to be in order for it still to have a nitrogen (molecular weight 28) atmosphere?

  • Assume that a planet will have lost its initial atmosphere by the present time if the average (daytime) molecular speed exceeds one-sixth of the escape speed

  • Answer:

    You need the following information: 1. Mercury's radius 2. Mercury's temperature. First find the average velocity of a N2 molecule KE = 3/2 k T 1/2 m v² = 3/2 k T v = √( 3 k T / m) T = 700 K (This is the max temp per Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_(planet) ) m = 28 amu / N.a * 1kg/1000g m = 4.65 x 10^-26 kg v.avg = 789 m/s Set escape velocity 6 * v.avg KE = Δ PE PE = m * -GM/r KE =m ( 0 - (-GM/r) ) M = v^2 r /2G r = 2440 km M = (6 * 789m/s)^2 * 2440,000 m / (2 * 6.67x10^-11 ) M = 4.1x10^23 kg

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^^^^ Mercury DOES have a atmosphere although it's very thin. Get your facts straight.

cohen

first, you need to not use the word "still" because mercury never had a nitrogen based atmosphere, in fact it never had ANY atmosphere. and it has to be much, MUCH larger, and also be a gas giant.

raccoon girl

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