Test question.

[tonini3059]

The wife has been studying for an entrance exam into a nursing school. She has been going over pratice questions in a book that she got from the school and whenever a question arises that she does not necessarily understand she asks me. Anyway she asked me a question yesterday and I said what I thought it was and I was wrong. It was been bothering me ever since, because I felt that they were wrong and can't understand their reasoning. Here is the question in summary.
On Jupiter hydrogen, the lightest element in the universe exist as a liquid metal. On earth however it exist as a gas. Therefore it can be concluded that Jupiter has:
A. a higher surface temperature
B. a lower atmospheric pressure
C. a lower surface temperature
D. a higher atmospheric pressure.
Let me know what you think.

 

[TriciaHowe]

Above the core lies the main bulk of the planet in the form of liquid metallic hydrogen. This exotic form of the most common of elements is possible only at pressures exceeding 4 million bars, as is the case in the interior of Jupiter (and Saturn). Liquid metallic hydrogen consists of ionized protons and electrons (like the interior of the Sun but at a far lower temperature). At the temperature and pressure of Jupiter's interior hydrogen is a liquid, not a gas. It is an electrical conductor and the source of Jupiter's magnetic field. This layer probably also contains some helium and traces of various "ices".

Higher pressure is the answer I would have given.....

 

[tonini3059]

That is what the book said is the correct answer . My problem with that is it is talking about the surface of the planet, so where would the atmospheric pressure be coming from. If the lightest element exists in a liquid state what could possibly be causing the pressure needed on the surface. In addition how could it really be considered and atmosphere if it exist as a liquid.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The state of matter is linked to both temperature and pressure. I'd expect a higher pressure and lower temperature would go together to produce solid from a liquid or liquid from a gas. Since Hydrogen is the lightest element, I don't think it can become a liquid at Earth's atmospheric pressure, even at absolute zero. I'd agree that high pressure is probably the right answer. Tricky though.

Just saw your last post. Jupiters gravity is so high it holds a tremendous atmosphere. I'd expect higher up that the atmosphere exists as a gas since the pressure is less.

 

[tonini3059]

Thats another problem I had with it also is that temp and pressure can work together to cause something to be a liquid instead of a gas.
I understand the huge gravitational pull resulting in the hydrogen being a liquid, however if it is a liguid can it be considered an atmosphere?