Mars has a sufficient mass and a low enough temperature that water molecules could exist in its atmosphere.Why doesn't Mars' atmosphere contain a significant amount of water?
A) Mars formed in a part of the solar nebula that lacked oxygen.
B) Mars formed in a part of the solar nebula that lacked hydrogen.
C) All of the water vapor was released in the impact that formed Deimos.
D) Ultraviolet radiation breaks the water molecule into less massive particles that can escape.
E) The water molecule combines readily with chlorine to form hydrochloric acid.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Ultraviolet radiation breaks water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, and the lighter hydrogen can escape Mars' weak gravitational pull, leading to a lack of significant water in the atmosphere.

Mars Has a Sufficient Mass and a Low Enough Temperature