What is the probable reason for Neptune's clouds to be more prominent than those of Uranus?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks: What is the probable reason for Neptune's clouds to be more prominent than those of Uranus?
Option 1: 'More internal heat to create "weather"' This explanation aligns with the idea that Neptune emits more heat than it receives from the Sun, which drives stronger atmospheric convection and cloud formation, leading to more visible weather patterns.
Option 2: 'Stronger magnetic field' A planetary magnetic field influences charged particles and auroras, not directly the prominence of cloud structures in the atmosphere. Clouds are primarily governed by atmospheric temperature, pressure, and humidity, so this does not explain the visible cloud activity.
Option 3: 'Neptune is larger than Uranus' While Neptune is slightly smaller in radius than Uranus, size alone does not directly account for cloud prominence. The key driver is internal heat flux rather than mere dimensions.
Option 4: 'More intense solar heating' Both planets are far from the Sun, receiving very little solar energy. Neptune does not receive enough solar input to significantly outpace internal heat effects, so solar heating is unlikely to be the primary cause of cloud brightness.
Option 5: 'Uranus' axis is in the plane of its orbit' Uranus has an extreme axial tilt, but its orientation relative to the orbital plane does not inherently explain why Neptune would have more prominent clouds. Cloud activity is more tied to atmospheric dynamics and heat than to tilt orientation.
Taken together, the strongest explanatory link to brighter, more cloud-filled weather on Neptune is its greater internal heat driving atmospheric convection, compared with Uranus. The other options either misattribute the cause, rely on factors not directly tied to cloud visibility, or misstate planetary characteristics.

ASTRON 2140 AU2025 (23428) Final - 2025 Dec 12

What is the probable reason for Neptune's clouds to be more prominent than those of Uranus?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

Why are there such large extremes in temperature over a day on Mercury?

Uranus appears as a blue-greenish disk due to the presence of

One satellite known to possess an atmosphere is

A large amount of methane gas absorbs much of the red and infrared light hitting it. This explains why

The atmosphere of Jupiter

The Great Red Spot on Jupiter apparently is

Atmospheric weather conditions are most similar on which two planets?

Mars is approximately the same size as Mercury, but Mars has more of an atmosphere because

More Practical Tools for International Students

Exam Browser Assistant

Stylized Writing Assistant

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation Assistant

In-Class Translation Assistant

Class Notes Assistant

Quiz Search Assistant

Past Exam Questions by School

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler