Question

celestial body mass (×10 24 kg) radius (×10 6 m) escape velocity (km/s) average surface temperature (°f) venus 4.9 6.1 10.3 860 earth 6.0 6.4 11.2 59 mars 0.6 3.4 5.0 -81 jupiter 1900.0 70.0 60.0 -101 neptune 103.0 22.0 24.0 -350 5. a scientist predicts that surface temperature of a planet also affects escape velocity. the scientists hypothesis is that as the surface temperature of a planet increases, escape velocity increases. which of the following best refutes this hypothesis? a. jupiter has a faster escape velocity than does neptune. b. earth has a faster escape velocity than does mars. c. mars has a slower escape velocity than does venus. d. venus has a slower escape velocity than does earth.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze Option A

Jupiter's escape velocity is \(60.0\) km/s and Neptune's is \(24.0\) km/s. Since \(60.0>24.0\), Jupiter has a faster escape velocity than Neptune. This does not refute the hypothesis.

Step2: Analyze Option B

Earth's escape velocity is \(11.2\) km/s and Mars' is \(5.0\) km/s. Since \(11.2 > 5.0\), Earth has a faster escape velocity than Mars. This does not refute the hypothesis.

Step3: Analyze Option C

Mars' escape velocity is \(5.0\) km/s and Venus' is \(10.3\) km/s. Since \(5.0<10.3\), Mars has a slower escape velocity than Venus. This does not refute the hypothesis.

Step4: Analyze Option D

Venus' escape velocity is \(10.3\) km/s and Earth's is \(11.2\) km/s. Since \(10.3<11.2\), Venus has a slower escape velocity than Earth. But according to the hypothesis, as surface temperature increases, escape velocity should increase (Venus has a higher surface temperature \(860^{\circ}F\) than Earth's \(59^{\circ}F\)). So this refutes the hypothesis.

Answer:

D. Venus has a slower escape velocity than does Earth.