Why is there no oxygen on Mars?

Answer 1

Every planet has its own atmospheric gases. The atmosphere around Mars is very different from our own here on Earth. Many scientists do believe that Mars had an oxygenated atmosphere at some point in its past. But now it is too thin, and too cold that far from the Sun.

The atmosphere of Mars is made up of 95% carbon dioxide, 3% nitrogen, and 1.6% argon. The remainder is probably methane. The pressure at the surface is less than in the stratosphere on Earth.

Oxygen is not thermodynamically stable in the presense of most other elements. If it's not continually renewed, it eventually combines with them. Any oxygen that may have been present in Mars' atmosphere has long ago combined with elements like iron to make iron oxide (prevalent in the soil of Mars) and carbon to make carbon dioxide (which makes up most of the atmosphere of Mars). The only reason there is elemental oxygen in Earth's atmosphere is that it's constantly being produced by plants.

Mars would need an ecosystem, namely plants, which make oxygen by taking carbon from carbon dioxide. If Mars were closer to the Sun (warm enough for liquid water), and large enough to hold a denser atmosphere, Earth-like plants could grow there. But under current conditions, plants would require pressure domes, heating, water, and artificial light.

Answer 2

the atmosphere is a good insulator so the oxygen isn't able to get through.

Actually, seriously, there IS oxygen in space. Just not much and each molecule is far from the next. In fact, many nebulae can be seen much better in a telescope, even amateur telescopes, by using an O3 filter. This is a narrow bandpass that filters out almost everything except for the light emitted by ionized oxygen. In space.

Answer 3

there is gravity in outer space, just not as much force as here on Earth, at the bottom of a gravity well. The force of gravity is the weakest of the four fundamental interactive forces. These include in order of strength electromagnetism, strong nuclear force, weak nuclear force, and gravitation. Gravitation in outer space is sometimes referred to as microgravity. And because your mums not in it.

Answer 4

There is oxygen in the Solar System, quite a lot of it in the Earth's atmosphere. There is oxygen in the solar system. It is the 3rd most abundant element. Above 90K it is found as a gas and in this form is is able to be blown through space by solar winds. Any oxygen which has accumulated by the gravitational force of planets is will exist in the form of compounds as it does here on Earth. The dust and gas found in space is known as the interstellar medium.

Answer 5

I predict that other planets do not have oxygen because there are no plants on those planets. Plants on earth give us oxygen to breath. I am guessing that if there were as many plants on other planets as there are on earth there would be oxygen. I am open to hear other answers to the question.

Answer 6

The oxygen on Venus is bound as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and as oxides on the extremely hot surface. There are no plants to extract carbon from the atmosphere as on Earth, so there is almost no free oxygen returned to the atmosphere.

Answer 7

Nearly no atmosphere