- #1
jf22901
- 55
- 1
Hi everyone
I'm reading up on the possibility of liquid water existing on the surface of Mars, and have confused myself!
During my reading, I have come across various definitions that say liquid water can exist if the temperature is above 273 K and the atmospheric pressure is above 611 Pa, but others say it is the partial pressure of water vapour that needs to be above 611 Pa.
As an example, say there is an ice deposit on Mars in a region where the atmospheric pressure is 1000 Pa, and the temperature increases from 270 K to 280 K. What happens in this case? Does the ice turn to liquid or sublime to vapour? The temperature and atmospheric pressure are high enough for liquid water to exist, but how does the partial pressure of water vapour come into things in this situation?
I must be missing something blindingly obvious, but I can't see what it is!
Thanks,
Jack
I'm reading up on the possibility of liquid water existing on the surface of Mars, and have confused myself!
During my reading, I have come across various definitions that say liquid water can exist if the temperature is above 273 K and the atmospheric pressure is above 611 Pa, but others say it is the partial pressure of water vapour that needs to be above 611 Pa.
As an example, say there is an ice deposit on Mars in a region where the atmospheric pressure is 1000 Pa, and the temperature increases from 270 K to 280 K. What happens in this case? Does the ice turn to liquid or sublime to vapour? The temperature and atmospheric pressure are high enough for liquid water to exist, but how does the partial pressure of water vapour come into things in this situation?
I must be missing something blindingly obvious, but I can't see what it is!
Thanks,
Jack