A video micro-lecture that describes the phase diagrams of water on Earth, Mars, and Venus. It also describes the water vapor feedback mechanism in the atmospheres of these planets that influences the greenhouse effect.
Students will understand the stable phases of water at various temperatures on Earth. They will be able to explain the concept of water vapor feedback on Earth’s atmosphere by using the phase diagram of water and compare it to that of Mars and Venus. Students will understand how the water cycle on Earth makes its climate more suitable to support life while the runaway greenhouse effect of water vapor on Venus makes it uninhabitable.
Use this tool to help students find answers to:
Discuss the water vapor feedback mechanism in the Earth’s atmosphere by using the phase diagram of water.
Using phase diagrams, explain why the climate of Earth is habitable while the climate of Mars and Venus is not.
Why did Venus experience a runaway greenhouse effect, resulting in a very high surface temperature (462°C)? Discuss why Earth has not yet experienced this effect.
About the Tool
Tool Name
Water Vapor Feedback
Discipline
Chemistry, Physics, Earth Sciences
Topic(s) in Discipline
Phase Equilibria, Phase Diagrams of Water, Triple and Critical Points in a Phase Diagram, Degrees of Freedom, Feedback Mechanisms, Vapor Pressure, Runaway Greenhouse Effect, Water Cycle, Biogeochemical Cycles
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