Problem 1 - Chemistry: The Central Science

Question

Mars has an average atmospheric pressure of \(0.007\) atm. Would it be easier or harder to drink from a straw on Mars than on Earth? Explain. [Section 10.2]

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

It would be harder to drink from a straw on Mars than on Earth due to the significantly lower atmospheric pressure on Mars (\(0.007\) atm) compared to Earth (1 atm). This lower pressure means there will be less force pushing the liquid up the straw on Mars, making it more difficult to drink.

Step 1: (Compare Atmospheric Pressures)

(To determine the ease of drinking from a straw on Mars compared to Earth, we need to compare their average atmospheric pressures. The atmospheric pressure on Earth is generally considered to be 1 atm, while the atmospheric pressure on Mars is given to be 0.007 atm.) #Step 2: Analyze Pressure Difference Requirements#

Step 2: (Analyze Pressure Difference Requirements)

(To drink from a straw, a person creates a pressure difference by sucking the air out of the straw. The liquid is then pushed up into the straw by the atmospheric pressure acting on its surface. Higher atmospheric pressure means a greater force pushing the liquid up the straw.) #Step 3: Determine Drinking Ease Based On Pressure Differences#

Step 3: (Determine Drinking Ease Based On Pressure Differences)

(As we know, the atmospheric pressure on Earth is 1 atm, which is significantly greater than the 0.007 atm pressure on Mars. This means that there will be less force pushing the liquid up the straw on Mars compared to Earth. Thus, it would be harder to drink from a straw on Mars than on Earth.)