Would the atmospheric pressure be higher on a planet with a surface of 90% water compared to Earth?
Yes, the atmospheric pressure would be higher on a planet with a surface of 90% water compared to Earth. This is because the water would act as a blanket, trapping the heat from the sun and preventing it from escaping into space. This would cause the temperature of the planet to rise, which would in turn increase the atmospheric pressure.
On Earth, the atmospheric pressure is about 14.7 psi (pounds per square inch). On a planet with a surface of 90% water, the atmospheric pressure could be as high as 20 psi or more. This higher atmospheric pressure would have a number of effects on the planet, including:
The boiling point of water would be higher, meaning that water would boil at a higher temperature.
The density of the air would be higher, making it harder to breathe.
The wind would be stronger, making it more difficult to fly.
The climate would be warmer, with more extreme weather events.
It is important to note that these are just estimates, and the actual atmospheric pressure on a planet with a surface of 90% water would depend on a number of factors, including the size and composition of the planet.
Could it be possible for such a planet to be possible without the water trapping in the heat?
Yes, it is possible for such a planet to be possible without the water trapping in the heat. This could be achieved if the planet had a very thick atmosphere that was composed of gases that do not trap heat, such as hydrogen or helium. The thick atmosphere would still prevent the heat from escaping into space, but it would not trap the heat like water does.
Another possibility is that the planet could have a very active atmosphere, with strong winds and storms that would constantly mix the air and prevent the heat from building up. This would create a more temperate climate on the planet, even though the surface is mostly water.
It is also possible that the planet could have a very large ice cap at the poles. The ice cap would reflect sunlight back into space, which would help to keep the planet cool.
The exact conditions that would allow for a planet with a surface of 90% water without the water trapping in the heat are not fully understood. However, it is possible that such a planet could exist, and it would be an interesting place to study.
How might humans and civilisation develop and be affected by the unique conditions on this planet compared to Earth?
The unique conditions on a planet with a surface of 90% water would have a profound impact on the development of human civilization.
Land availability: With only 10% of the planet's surface being land, there would be much less space for humans to live and build. This would likely lead to a more urbanized society, with people living in close proximity to each other.
Transportation: The lack of land would also make transportation more difficult. There would be no roads or railways, and travel by boat would be limited by the presence of ice caps and storms. This would likely lead to a more isolated society, with people relying on each other more for trade and communication.
Climate: The climate on such a planet would be much warmer than Earth, with more extreme weather events. This would likely lead to a more challenging environment for humans to live in, and it would require people to adapt their lifestyles accordingly.
Resources: The availability of resources would also be different on such a planet. There would be less land for agriculture, and the oceans would be a more important source of food. This would likely lead to a different diet for humans, and it would also require people to develop new technologies for extracting resources from the ocean.
Overall, the unique conditions on a planet with a surface of 90% water would present a number of challenges for human civilization. However, it is also possible that these challenges could lead to the development of new and innovative technologies and societies.
Here are some additional thoughts on how humans and civilization might develop and be affected by the unique conditions on this planet compared to Earth:
Technology: The need to adapt to the challenging environment would likely lead to the development of new technologies. For example, humans might develop new ways to extract resources from the ocean, or they might develop new ways to travel and communicate over long distances.
Culture: The unique conditions on the planet would likely lead to the development of a unique culture. For example, the lack of land might lead to a more communal culture, as people would need to rely on each other more for survival.
Religion: The unique conditions on the planet might also lead to the development of new religions. For example, people might develop religions that focus on the importance of the ocean, or they might develop religions that focus on the challenges of living in a harsh environment.
It is impossible to say for certain how humans and civilization would develop on a planet with a surface of 90% water. However, it is an interesting thought experiment to consider how the unique conditions on this planet would shape the development of human society.
Why does having such a large surface of water trap heat?
Water has a high specific heat capacity, which means that it takes a lot of energy to heat it up. This means that water can absorb a lot of heat from the sun without its temperature rising very much. This is why oceans tend to be warmer than the air above them.
In addition, water is a good conductor of heat. This means that heat can easily be transferred from one part of the ocean to another. This helps to distribute heat evenly throughout the ocean, which also helps to keep the planet's temperature stable.
The combination of water's high specific heat capacity and its good conductivity of heat makes it a very effective heat sink. This means that water can trap heat from the sun and prevent it from escaping into space. This is why planets with a large surface of water tend to have warmer climates than planets with a smaller surface of water.
Here are some additional details about why water traps heat:
Absorption: When sunlight hits the surface of the ocean, some of the energy is absorbed by the water molecules. This causes the water molecules to vibrate, which increases their temperature.
Conduction: The heat from the sun-warmed water is then transferred to the cooler water below. This process of conduction continues until the entire ocean has been heated up.
Evaporation: As the water warms up, some of it evaporates. The water vapor that evaporates carries heat with it, which helps to keep the ocean from becoming too hot.
Convection: The water vapor that evaporates rises into the atmosphere. As it rises, it cools and condenses, forming clouds. The water in the clouds then falls back down to Earth as rain or snow. This process of convection helps to distribute heat evenly throughout the ocean and the atmosphere.
The combination of these processes helps to keep the Earth's climate relatively stable. However, if the amount of water on Earth were to decrease, the planet's climate would likely become warmer. This is because there would be less water to absorb heat from the sun, and the heat would be more likely to escape into space.
How might wind patterns and ocean currents develop on this planet?
The wind patterns and ocean currents on a planet with a surface of 90% water would be very different from those on Earth. The main reason for this is that the water would act as a giant heat sink, absorbing heat from the sun and preventing it from escaping into space. This would cause the planet to have a much warmer climate than Earth, and it would also lead to stronger winds and ocean currents.
The wind patterns on the planet would be driven by the difference in temperature between the equator and the poles. The equatorial regions would be warmer than the polar regions, and this would create a pressure gradient. The air would flow from the high pressure at the poles to the low pressure at the equator, creating the prevailing winds.
The ocean currents on the planet would also be driven by the difference in temperature between the equator and the poles. The warm water at the equator would rise to the surface, and the cold water at the poles would sink to the bottom. This would create a conveyor belt of currents that would circulate the water around the planet.
The exact wind patterns and ocean currents on the planet would depend on a number of factors, including the size and shape of the planet, the rotation of the planet, and the distribution of land and water. However, it is likely that the wind patterns and ocean currents would be much stronger than those on Earth.
Here are some additional details about how wind patterns and ocean currents might develop on a planet with a surface of 90% water:
Wind patterns: The wind patterns on the planet would be driven by the difference in temperature between the equator and the poles. The equatorial regions would be warmer than the polar regions, and this would create a pressure gradient. The air would flow from the high pressure at the poles to the low pressure at the equator, creating the prevailing winds.
Ocean currents: The ocean currents on the planet would also be driven by the difference in temperature between the equator and the poles. The warm water at the equator would rise to the surface, and the cold water at the poles would sink to the bottom. This would create a conveyor belt of currents that would circulate the water around the planet.
Rotation of the planet: The rotation of the planet would also affect the wind patterns and ocean currents. The Coriolis effect is a force that deflects moving objects to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This force would cause the wind patterns and ocean currents to curve as they circulate around the planet.
Distribution of land and water: The distribution of land and water on the planet would also affect the wind patterns and ocean currents. The presence of landmasses would block the wind, and it would also create areas of upwelling and downwelling. This would affect the circulation of the water around the planet.
The combination of these factors would create a complex system of wind patterns and ocean currents on the planet. The exact patterns would be difficult to predict, but they would likely be much stronger than those on Earth.
The Coriolis effect is a force that deflects moving objects to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This force is caused by the rotation of the Earth.
The Coriolis effect is most evident in large-scale systems, such as wind patterns and ocean currents. For example, the prevailing winds in the Northern Hemisphere are deflected to the right, creating the trade winds and the westerlies. In the Southern Hemisphere, the prevailing winds are deflected to the left, creating the roaring forties and the furious fifties.
The Coriolis effect can also be seen in smaller-scale systems, such as hurricanes and tornadoes. Hurricanes are rotating storms that form in the tropics. The Coriolis effect deflects the winds in a hurricane, causing the storm to rotate in a counterclockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere and a clockwise direction in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Coriolis effect would likely have a significant impact on the wind patterns and ocean currents on a planet with a surface of 90% water. The rotation of the planet would cause the wind patterns and ocean currents to curve as they circulate around the planet. This would create a complex system of currents that would be different from those on Earth.
The exact impact of the Coriolis effect on the planet would depend on a number of factors, including the size and shape of the planet, the rotation of the planet, and the distribution of land and water. However, it is likely that the Coriolis effect would play a significant role in shaping the wind patterns and ocean currents on the planet.
Here are some additional details about how the Coriolis effect works:
The Earth's rotation: The Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours. This rotation creates a centrifugal force that pushes objects away from the center of the Earth.
The Coriolis force: The Coriolis force is a force that deflects moving objects to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This force is caused by the Earth's rotation.
The direction of deflection: The direction of deflection of the Coriolis force depends on the hemisphere in which the object is moving and the direction of the object's motion. In the Northern Hemisphere, objects moving north or east are deflected to the right. Objects moving south or west are deflected to the left. In the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite is true.
The strength of the Coriolis force: The strength of the Coriolis force depends on the speed of the object's motion and the latitude of the object. The force is strongest at the equator and weakest at the poles.
The Coriolis effect is a complex force, and its full effects are still not fully understood. However, it is a significant force that plays a role in shaping the wind patterns and ocean currents on Earth and other planets.