Liquid CO2 rivers, lakes or oceans

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the conditions under which liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) could exist on a hypothetical planet with specific atmospheric and temperature parameters. The scope includes theoretical considerations of planetary atmospheres and the states of gases and liquids under varying pressures and temperatures.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a scenario involving a planet with 2 Earth radii and 8 Earth masses, questioning whether liquid CO2 would form rivers, lakes, or oceans given the atmospheric conditions.
  • Another participant calculates the partial pressure of CO2 at 50 bar, noting it to be 0.5 bar (0.5 atm), which raises concerns about the existence of liquid CO2.
  • A later reply asserts that liquid CO2 cannot exist unless the ambient pressure exceeds 5.1 atmospheres, referencing external information.
  • Participants confirm that the partial pressure of CO2 is too low for liquid CO2 to exist under the given conditions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the partial pressure of CO2 is insufficient for liquid CO2 to exist, but there is no consensus on the implications for the hypothetical planet's surface features.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the broader implications of the atmospheric composition and temperature on the existence of liquid CO2, nor does it explore the interactions between CO2 and water in detail.

willstaruss22
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Lets say you have planet with 2 Earth radii and 8 Earth masses. The atmosphere is 50 bar and is made up of 85% nitrogen, 10% hydrogen 3% argon, 1% CO2 and 1% other gases. The planets average temperature is 280 K/44 F.

Since CO2 is a liquid at this pressure and temperature would it form rivers, lake or oceans of liquid CO2 mixed with liquid water or will it stay in a gaseous form because of its lower abundance of other gases and the overall density of the atmosphere?
 
Last edited:
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At 50 bar and 1% of CO2 partial pressure of carbon dioxide is just 0.5 bar (0.5 atm).
 
Borek said:
At 50 bar and 1% of CO2 partial pressure of carbon dioxide is just 0.5 bar (0.5 atm).

OK, Borek. This means that the partial pressure of CO2 is too low, and no liquid CO2 exists.
Correct ?
 
janhaa said:
OK, Borek. This means that the partial pressure of CO2 is too low, and no liquid CO2 exists.
Correct ?

Yes.
 
Borek said:
Yes.
thanks
 
Oh ok thanks I did not know that
 

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