Logical Reasoning

PT151 · S3 · Q8 Winds, the movement of gases

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Winds, the movement of gases in the atmosphere of a planet, are ultimately due to differences in atmospheric temperature.

Given that ...

Wind is caused by differences in atmospheric temperature.

and that ...

Winds on Earth come from the heat of the Sun (causing differences in atmospheric temperature).

and that ...

the Sun is too far from Jupiter to affect the temperature of its atmosphere.

How is it that ...

Jupiter has strong winds (stronger than Earth's)?

Evaluate / Goal

We just need an answer that tells us what causes there to be differences in atmospheric temperature on Jupiter. It will probably be some other source of heat, but maybe there are things besides heat that cause atmospheric temperature differences.

8.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to explain the facts cited above about Jupiter and its winds?

  1. Correct

    Unlike Earth, Jupiter’s atmosphere is

    Why this is right

    This tells us about something that could cause differences in Jupiter's atmospheric temperature. It has an internal heat source that affects the temperature of its atmosphere. The "unlike Earth" part is helpful too, since we know that Jupiter has stronger winds than Earth, but doesn't have the benefit of the Sun's heat. If Earth also had an internal heat source warming its atmosphere, then we'd be left with a confusing picture that Earth winds [caused by internal heat source + heat from the Sun] were less strong than Jupiter winds [caused only by internal heat source].

    Skill tested: Paradox · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

    88% picked this

  2. Jupiter’s atmosphere is composed of

    Unrelated to Goal

    This doesn't tell us about anything that's causing differences in atmospheric temperature on Jupiter (unless we just invent a story that these gases cause differences in temperature).

    4% picked this

  3. Gaseous planets such as Jupiter

    Unrelated to Goal Reiterates Paradox

    This doesn't tell us what's causing differences in atmospheric temperature on Jupiter. It is reiterating what we already know — Jupiter has stronger winds than Earth. We're trying to figure out how that's possible, given that the Sun does not provide enough heat to Jupiter's atmosphere.

    6% picked this

  4. There are more planets that

    Unrelated to Goal

    This doesn't tell us about anything that's causing differences in atmospheric temperature on Jupiter. In fact, it's not even about Jupiter.

    0% picked this

  5. Planets even farther from the

    Unrelated to Goal Reiterates Paradox

    This doesn't tell us about anything that's causing differences in atmospheric temperature on Jupiter. It just reiterates the mystery by saying, "There's actually a bunch of these planets that have winds, even though they are too far from the Sun for the Sun's heat to cause winds". Cool, so what is causing winds on these planets? That's what we're searching for.

    2% picked this

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