Venus

VENUS. PASSAGE FOUR. Page 146. Questions 14 through 19. Listen to a discussion in an astronomy class. (professor) Today we'll be discussing the planet Venus, which is the second planet in our solar system. I'm sure you all know which planet is the third planet in our Solar System. Yes, Beth? (Beth) Is Earth the third planet? (professor) You don't sound too sure of your answer, Beth ... but, yes, that's true. Venus is the second planet in our Solar System, and Earth is the third. Venus is almost the same size as our Earth, which is the fifth largest planet in, ah, the Solar System. The planet Venus is easily visible in the sky from Earth, although not always as a complete sphere. It goes through some phases, just like the Moon. Sometimes it's fully visible, like a full moon, sometimes it's half visible, and sometimes it's only a small crescent. When do you think Venus is the brightest, when it's fully visible or when it's a crescent? Mark? Well, it makes sense that it would be the brightest when it's fully visible. Well, things aren't always as they seem. Try again. You mean, Venus is actually brighter when it's only a small crescent than when it's fully visible? That's exactly what I mean .... Now, does anyone know if Venus is a hot or cold planet? ... What would you expect since Venus is closer to the Sun than our planet is? Since it's so close to the Sun, I think it would be very hot. And it is. The temperature there can reach almost to 500 degrees centigrade. What is this in Fahrenheit? ... Anyone? ... Come on, we've talked about this before. I think that's around 900 degrees Fahrenheit. Yes, it is. Now, we've said that the temperature on Venus is quite hot, and the temperature there is hot because Venus is so close to the Sun. But that's not the only reason that Venus is so hot. It's also hot for another reason. Does anyone know? Could it be the atmosphere? What is its atmosphere made of? Beth? Its atmosphere's almost entirely carbon dioxide. Yes, that's right, Beth, and this type of atmosphere holds in the heat from the Sun extremely well. ... Now, let's talk about the clouds that cover Venus. As you know, Venus is visible to us on Earth, but it's not actually the planet that we see; it's the clouds. The surface of Venus can't be seen, even with a telescope, because of the clouds that surround the planet. What can you tell me about the clouds that cover Venus? Uh ... the clouds around Venus? Yes, I'm asking about the clouds around Venus. I want to know about the clouds around Venus. Do you want to know what they're made of? They're made of carbon dioxide. No ... wait a minute. The atmosphere's made of carbon dioxide .... The clouds're made of sulfuric acid. That's right. The clouds on Venus are actually made of sulfuric acid. These clouds help to contribute to the brightness of Venus in our sky. When Venus appears to shine so brightly, it's because the light of the Sun is reflecting off Venus's clouds of sulfuric acid. 14. LISTEN AGAIN TO PART OF THE DISCUSSION. THEN ANSWER THE QUESTION. (professor) I'm sure you all know which planet is the third planet in our Solar System. Yes, Beth? (Beth) Is Earth the third planet? (professor) You don't sound too sure of your answer, Beth. WHY DOES THE PROFESSOR SAY THIS: (professor) You don't sound too sure of your answer, Beth. 15. LISTEN AGAIN TO PART OF THE DISCUSSION. THEN ANSWER THE QUESTION. (professor) When do you think Venus is the brightest, when it's fully visible or when it's a crescent? Mark? (Mark) Well, it makes sense that it would be the brightest when it's fully visible. (professor) Well, things aren't always as they seem. Try again. WHAT DOES THE PROFESSOR MEAN WHEN SHE SAYS THIS: (professor) Well, things aren't always as they seem. Try again. 16. LISTEN AGAIN TO PART OF THE DISCUSSION. THEN ANSWER THE QUESTION. (professor) The temperature there can reach almost to 500 degrees centigrade. What is this in Fahrenheit? ... Anyone? ... Come on, we've talked about this before. WHAT DOES THE PROFESSOR MEAN WHEN SHE SAYS THIS: (professor) Come on, we've talked about this before. 17. LISTEN AGAIN TO PART OF THE DISCUSSION. THEN ANSWER THE QUESTION. (professor) But that's not the only reason that Venus is so hot. It's also hot for another reason. Does anyone know? Could it be the' WHY DOES THE PROFESSOR SAY THIS: (professor) Could it be the atmosphere? 18. LISTEN AGAIN TO PART OF THE DISCUSSION. THEN ANSWER THE QUESTION. (professor) What can you tell me about the clouds that cover Venus? (Mark) Uh ... the clouds around Venus? (professor) Yes, I'm asking about the clouds around Venus. I want to know about the clouds around Venus. WHY DOES THE PROFESSOR SAY THIS: (professor) Yes, I'm asking about the clouds around Venus. I want to know about the clouds around Venus. 19. LISTEN AGAIN TO PART OF THE DISCUSSION. THEN ANSWER THE QUESTION. (Mark) Do you want to know what they're made of? They're made of carbon dioxide. No ... wait a minute .... The atmosphere's made of carbon dioxide .... The clouds're made of sulfuric add. WHAT DOES THE STUDENT MEAN WHEN HE SAYS THIS: (Mark) No ... wait a minute. Venus is the second planet in the Solar Planet, and Earth is the third. Venus is almost the same size as the Earth, which is the fifth largest planet in the Solar System. The planet Venus is easily visible in the sky from Earth, although not always as a complete sphere. Like the Moon, it goes through some phases. Sometimes it is fully visible, like a full moon, sometimes it is half visible, and sometimes it is only a small crescent. Venus is brighter when it is only a small crescent than when it is fully visible. Since it is so close to the Sun, the temperature there can reach almost to 500 degrees centigrade (900 degrees Fahrenheit). It's also hot for another reason. The Venus's atmosphere is almost entirely carbon dioxide, and this type of atmosphere holds in the heat from the Sun extremely well. The surface of Venus can't be seen, even with a telescope, because of the clouds that surround the planet. The clouds on Venus are made of sulfuric acid. These clouds help to contribute to the brightness of Venus in our sky. When Venus appears to shine so brightly, it is because the light of the Sun is reflecting off Venus's clouds of sulfuric acid.