Recent data suggest that the most important contribution to the thinning of the Martian atmosphere was probably
A) the photodissociation of water molecules by ultraviolet light in the atmosphere
B) the stripping of the atmosphere by solar wind particles from the Sun as its magnetic field weakened
C) the consumption of carbon dioxide by photosynthetic bacteria
D) atmospheric gases being blasted into space by large impacts

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Recent studies have shown that the solar wind, which is composed of charged particles emitted by the Sun, has been gradually stripping away the Martian atmosphere. As the magnetic field of Mars weakened, the solar wind particles were able to penetrate deeper into the atmosphere, leading to the loss of large amounts of gas, especially lighter ones like hydrogen and helium. While other factors such as impacts and photodissociation have played a role in the thinning of the Martian atmosphere, the evidence suggests that the stripping effect of solar wind has been the most significant.

Recent Data Suggest That the Most Important Contribution to the Thinning