Why Was It Thought That Titan May Have Oceans of Methane

question 92

Multiple Choice

Why was it thought that Titan may have oceans of methane?

• A)Titan's atmosphere contains traces of methane. Similarly, Earth's atmosphere contains tracesof water vapor. So, scientists thought Titan should have methane oceans.
• B)The atmospheric pressure at Titan's surface and its surface temperature are such that methaneshould be liquid on Titan's surface.
• C)The abundance of hydrocarbons in the atmosphere of Titan led scientists to believe that Titanhad an abundance of methane on its surface.
• D)Titan's atmosphere is like Earth's (mostly nitrogen), but its temperature is too low for water tobe in the liquid phase. The only other possible liquid was methane.
• E)Since Saturn has methane ice in its atmosphere, methane should be abundant in this region ofthe solar system. The sheer abundance of methane in the region led scientists to hypothesizemethane oceans on Titan.

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Definitions:

Carbon Dioxide

A colorless, odorless gas produced by burning carbon and organic compounds and by respiration, a key greenhouse gas contributing to global warming.

Coal

A combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock used primarily as a fuel in electricity generation.

Solar Energy

Energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy, which is renewable and environmentally friendly.

Renewable Solar Energy

Energy generated from the sun's rays, which is sustainable and inexhaustible, used to produce electricity or heating without emitting greenhouse gases.