What color should the snow be in this chlorine world?
$begingroup$
This question is in the same context (the same world) proposed by Steven L. Gillett in his book: "World-building".
And actually there have been some other questions about this same chlorined world. For example this:
Are plastic plants plausible?
Long history short: The world is Earth-like (same biochemistry, carbon based also and oxygen breathers) but the atmosphere contains 1% chlorine.
Steven L. Gillett explains about the atmosphere:
"Chlorine is colored; as all the chemistry texts say, it’s a “greenish
yellow” gas. It absorbs blue light (and shorter wavelengths)
strongly."
and explains about the water:
"the acidity of surface water will be about like that of undiluted
vinegar."
I am trying to draw such a planet as accurate as possible, but I have a problem with the color of the polar ice caps and the snow. Although the planet has oceans and rivers of water, there will be a small amount of (an equivalent of) acid and bleach solution in the water. So, my question is: What color will the snow be in that planet?
science-based planets
asked 3 hours ago
Carlos ZamoraCarlos Zamora
2,490423
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
This question is in the same context (the same world) proposed by Steven L. Gillett in his book: "World-building".
And actually there have been some other questions about this same chlorined world. For example this:
Are plastic plants plausible?
Long history short: The world is Earth-like (same biochemistry, carbon based also and oxygen breathers) but the atmosphere contains 1% chlorine.
Steven L. Gillett explains about the atmosphere:
"Chlorine is colored; as all the chemistry texts say, it’s a “greenish
yellow” gas. It absorbs blue light (and shorter wavelengths)
strongly."
and explains about the water:
"the acidity of surface water will be about like that of undiluted
vinegar."
I am trying to draw such a planet as accurate as possible, but I have a problem with the color of the polar ice caps and the snow. Although the planet has oceans and rivers of water, there will be a small amount of (an equivalent of) acid and bleach solution in the water. So, my question is: What color will the snow be in that planet?
science-based planets
asked 3 hours ago
Carlos ZamoraCarlos Zamora
2,490423
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Are you aware of how incredibly toxic chlorine is ?
$endgroup$
– StephenG
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@StephenG, are you aware of how incredibly toxic oxygen is? If the atmosphere is 1% chlorine, then anything evolved there will be able to handle it.
$endgroup$
– Mark
37 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
This question is in the same context (the same world) proposed by Steven L. Gillett in his book: "World-building".
And actually there have been some other questions about this same chlorined world. For example this:
Are plastic plants plausible?
Long history short: The world is Earth-like (same biochemistry, carbon based also and oxygen breathers) but the atmosphere contains 1% chlorine.
Steven L. Gillett explains about the atmosphere:
"Chlorine is colored; as all the chemistry texts say, it’s a “greenish
yellow” gas. It absorbs blue light (and shorter wavelengths)
strongly."
and explains about the water:
"the acidity of surface water will be about like that of undiluted
vinegar."
I am trying to draw such a planet as accurate as possible, but I have a problem with the color of the polar ice caps and the snow. Although the planet has oceans and rivers of water, there will be a small amount of (an equivalent of) acid and bleach solution in the water. So, my question is: What color will the snow be in that planet?
science-based planets
asked 3 hours ago
Carlos ZamoraCarlos Zamora
2,490423
$endgroup$
This question is in the same context (the same world) proposed by Steven L. Gillett in his book: "World-building".
And actually there have been some other questions about this same chlorined world. For example this:
Are plastic plants plausible?
Long history short: The world is Earth-like (same biochemistry, carbon based also and oxygen breathers) but the atmosphere contains 1% chlorine.
Steven L. Gillett explains about the atmosphere:
"Chlorine is colored; as all the chemistry texts say, it’s a “greenish
yellow” gas. It absorbs blue light (and shorter wavelengths)
strongly."
and explains about the water:
"the acidity of surface water will be about like that of undiluted
vinegar."
I am trying to draw such a planet as accurate as possible, but I have a problem with the color of the polar ice caps and the snow. Although the planet has oceans and rivers of water, there will be a small amount of (an equivalent of) acid and bleach solution in the water. So, my question is: What color will the snow be in that planet?
science-based planets
science-based planets
asked 3 hours ago
Carlos ZamoraCarlos Zamora
2,490423
asked 3 hours ago
Carlos ZamoraCarlos Zamora
2,490423
asked 3 hours ago
Carlos ZamoraCarlos Zamora
2,490423
asked 3 hours ago
Carlos ZamoraCarlos Zamora
2,490423
asked 3 hours ago
Carlos ZamoraCarlos Zamora
2,490423
2,490423
1
$begingroup$
Are you aware of how incredibly toxic chlorine is ?
$endgroup$
– StephenG
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@StephenG, are you aware of how incredibly toxic oxygen is? If the atmosphere is 1% chlorine, then anything evolved there will be able to handle it.
$endgroup$
– Mark
37 mins ago
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
Are you aware of how incredibly toxic chlorine is ?
$endgroup$
– StephenG
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@StephenG, are you aware of how incredibly toxic oxygen is? If the atmosphere is 1% chlorine, then anything evolved there will be able to handle it.
$endgroup$
– Mark
37 mins ago
1
1
$begingroup$
Are you aware of how incredibly toxic chlorine is ?
$endgroup$
– StephenG
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
Are you aware of how incredibly toxic chlorine is ?
$endgroup$
– StephenG
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@StephenG, are you aware of how incredibly toxic oxygen is? If the atmosphere is 1% chlorine, then anything evolved there will be able to handle it.
$endgroup$
– Mark
37 mins ago
$begingroup$
@StephenG, are you aware of how incredibly toxic oxygen is? If the atmosphere is 1% chlorine, then anything evolved there will be able to handle it.
$endgroup$
– Mark
37 mins ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Since Chlorine doesn't become a liquid until roughly -34 C (-29 F) your snow will be mostly white. As a liquid it is amber in color and this will give your snow a slight yellow discoloration.
However, it will likely react with the water and create a weak acid (HCI or HOCI). Its usually clear, but can have a yellow discoloration.
If anything, your premise appears to be a little incorrect here. Chlorine is highly reactive so if you had 1% it would quickly react with other elements and disappear from its pure form. Water in the form of moisture, snow, rain would quickly remove all the chlorine in your atmosphere.
answered 2 hours ago
ShadowzeeShadowzee
8,8861642
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
"your snow will be mostly white" : Sorry, but I gotta ask, are you sure?
$endgroup$
– Pelinore
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Pelinore Yes... 1% chlorine in the atmosphere is different from solid chlorine
$endgroup$
– Shadowzee
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Ah yes, barely enough to even tint the result really [+]
$endgroup$
– Pelinore
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Chlorine reacts with water in an equilibrium: Cl2 + H2O <-> HClO + HCl
As long as the pH doesn't rise this means there will always be some elemental Chlorine left. So water alone isn't a problem for your chlorinated atmosphere. The problem is, that any reducing agent on the ground will over time react with the atmosphere. Wood for example or any metals. Oxygen only does that with enough starting energy or over long periods, chlorine will happily react at room temperature with any biomass. You can see that this happened on our earth in the past, which is why the oceans are full of NaCl. So you might be able to sustain such an atmosphere if the surface is inert to the reaction with Chlorine.
As to the color of snow: Chlorine won't be trapped or solved in the ice just as CO2 isn't. The crystalization purifies the water and only traces of Cl2 should be found in it. So your snow should be white.
answered 2 hours ago
ZeodynZeodyn
313
$endgroup$
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Since Chlorine doesn't become a liquid until roughly -34 C (-29 F) your snow will be mostly white. As a liquid it is amber in color and this will give your snow a slight yellow discoloration.
However, it will likely react with the water and create a weak acid (HCI or HOCI). Its usually clear, but can have a yellow discoloration.
If anything, your premise appears to be a little incorrect here. Chlorine is highly reactive so if you had 1% it would quickly react with other elements and disappear from its pure form. Water in the form of moisture, snow, rain would quickly remove all the chlorine in your atmosphere.
answered 2 hours ago
ShadowzeeShadowzee
8,8861642
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
"your snow will be mostly white" : Sorry, but I gotta ask, are you sure?
$endgroup$
– Pelinore
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Pelinore Yes... 1% chlorine in the atmosphere is different from solid chlorine
$endgroup$
– Shadowzee
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Ah yes, barely enough to even tint the result really [+]
$endgroup$
– Pelinore
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Since Chlorine doesn't become a liquid until roughly -34 C (-29 F) your snow will be mostly white. As a liquid it is amber in color and this will give your snow a slight yellow discoloration.
However, it will likely react with the water and create a weak acid (HCI or HOCI). Its usually clear, but can have a yellow discoloration.
If anything, your premise appears to be a little incorrect here. Chlorine is highly reactive so if you had 1% it would quickly react with other elements and disappear from its pure form. Water in the form of moisture, snow, rain would quickly remove all the chlorine in your atmosphere.
answered 2 hours ago
ShadowzeeShadowzee
8,8861642
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
"your snow will be mostly white" : Sorry, but I gotta ask, are you sure?
$endgroup$
– Pelinore
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Pelinore Yes... 1% chlorine in the atmosphere is different from solid chlorine
$endgroup$
– Shadowzee
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Ah yes, barely enough to even tint the result really [+]
$endgroup$
– Pelinore
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Since Chlorine doesn't become a liquid until roughly -34 C (-29 F) your snow will be mostly white. As a liquid it is amber in color and this will give your snow a slight yellow discoloration.
However, it will likely react with the water and create a weak acid (HCI or HOCI). Its usually clear, but can have a yellow discoloration.
If anything, your premise appears to be a little incorrect here. Chlorine is highly reactive so if you had 1% it would quickly react with other elements and disappear from its pure form. Water in the form of moisture, snow, rain would quickly remove all the chlorine in your atmosphere.
answered 2 hours ago
ShadowzeeShadowzee
8,8861642
$endgroup$
Since Chlorine doesn't become a liquid until roughly -34 C (-29 F) your snow will be mostly white. As a liquid it is amber in color and this will give your snow a slight yellow discoloration.
However, it will likely react with the water and create a weak acid (HCI or HOCI). Its usually clear, but can have a yellow discoloration.
If anything, your premise appears to be a little incorrect here. Chlorine is highly reactive so if you had 1% it would quickly react with other elements and disappear from its pure form. Water in the form of moisture, snow, rain would quickly remove all the chlorine in your atmosphere.
answered 2 hours ago
ShadowzeeShadowzee
8,8861642
answered 2 hours ago
ShadowzeeShadowzee
8,8861642
answered 2 hours ago
ShadowzeeShadowzee
8,8861642
answered 2 hours ago
ShadowzeeShadowzee
8,8861642
8,8861642
$begingroup$
"your snow will be mostly white" : Sorry, but I gotta ask, are you sure?
$endgroup$
– Pelinore
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Pelinore Yes... 1% chlorine in the atmosphere is different from solid chlorine
$endgroup$
– Shadowzee
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Ah yes, barely enough to even tint the result really [+]
$endgroup$
– Pelinore
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
"your snow will be mostly white" : Sorry, but I gotta ask, are you sure?
$endgroup$
– Pelinore
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Pelinore Yes... 1% chlorine in the atmosphere is different from solid chlorine
$endgroup$
– Shadowzee
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Ah yes, barely enough to even tint the result really [+]
$endgroup$
– Pelinore
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
"your snow will be mostly white" : Sorry, but I gotta ask, are you sure?
$endgroup$
– Pelinore
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
"your snow will be mostly white" : Sorry, but I gotta ask, are you sure?
$endgroup$
– Pelinore
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Pelinore Yes... 1% chlorine in the atmosphere is different from solid chlorine
$endgroup$
– Shadowzee
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Pelinore Yes... 1% chlorine in the atmosphere is different from solid chlorine
$endgroup$
– Shadowzee
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Ah yes, barely enough to even tint the result really [+]
$endgroup$
– Pelinore
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Ah yes, barely enough to even tint the result really [+]
$endgroup$
– Pelinore
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Chlorine reacts with water in an equilibrium: Cl2 + H2O <-> HClO + HCl
As long as the pH doesn't rise this means there will always be some elemental Chlorine left. So water alone isn't a problem for your chlorinated atmosphere. The problem is, that any reducing agent on the ground will over time react with the atmosphere. Wood for example or any metals. Oxygen only does that with enough starting energy or over long periods, chlorine will happily react at room temperature with any biomass. You can see that this happened on our earth in the past, which is why the oceans are full of NaCl. So you might be able to sustain such an atmosphere if the surface is inert to the reaction with Chlorine.
As to the color of snow: Chlorine won't be trapped or solved in the ice just as CO2 isn't. The crystalization purifies the water and only traces of Cl2 should be found in it. So your snow should be white.
answered 2 hours ago
ZeodynZeodyn
313
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Chlorine reacts with water in an equilibrium: Cl2 + H2O <-> HClO + HCl
As long as the pH doesn't rise this means there will always be some elemental Chlorine left. So water alone isn't a problem for your chlorinated atmosphere. The problem is, that any reducing agent on the ground will over time react with the atmosphere. Wood for example or any metals. Oxygen only does that with enough starting energy or over long periods, chlorine will happily react at room temperature with any biomass. You can see that this happened on our earth in the past, which is why the oceans are full of NaCl. So you might be able to sustain such an atmosphere if the surface is inert to the reaction with Chlorine.
As to the color of snow: Chlorine won't be trapped or solved in the ice just as CO2 isn't. The crystalization purifies the water and only traces of Cl2 should be found in it. So your snow should be white.
answered 2 hours ago
ZeodynZeodyn
313
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Chlorine reacts with water in an equilibrium: Cl2 + H2O <-> HClO + HCl
As long as the pH doesn't rise this means there will always be some elemental Chlorine left. So water alone isn't a problem for your chlorinated atmosphere. The problem is, that any reducing agent on the ground will over time react with the atmosphere. Wood for example or any metals. Oxygen only does that with enough starting energy or over long periods, chlorine will happily react at room temperature with any biomass. You can see that this happened on our earth in the past, which is why the oceans are full of NaCl. So you might be able to sustain such an atmosphere if the surface is inert to the reaction with Chlorine.
As to the color of snow: Chlorine won't be trapped or solved in the ice just as CO2 isn't. The crystalization purifies the water and only traces of Cl2 should be found in it. So your snow should be white.
answered 2 hours ago
ZeodynZeodyn
313
$endgroup$
Chlorine reacts with water in an equilibrium: Cl2 + H2O <-> HClO + HCl
As long as the pH doesn't rise this means there will always be some elemental Chlorine left. So water alone isn't a problem for your chlorinated atmosphere. The problem is, that any reducing agent on the ground will over time react with the atmosphere. Wood for example or any metals. Oxygen only does that with enough starting energy or over long periods, chlorine will happily react at room temperature with any biomass. You can see that this happened on our earth in the past, which is why the oceans are full of NaCl. So you might be able to sustain such an atmosphere if the surface is inert to the reaction with Chlorine.
As to the color of snow: Chlorine won't be trapped or solved in the ice just as CO2 isn't. The crystalization purifies the water and only traces of Cl2 should be found in it. So your snow should be white.
answered 2 hours ago
ZeodynZeodyn
313
answered 2 hours ago
ZeodynZeodyn
313
answered 2 hours ago
ZeodynZeodyn
313
answered 2 hours ago
ZeodynZeodyn
313
313
add a comment |
add a comment |
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1
$begingroup$
Are you aware of how incredibly toxic chlorine is ?
$endgroup$
– StephenG
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@StephenG, are you aware of how incredibly toxic oxygen is? If the atmosphere is 1% chlorine, then anything evolved there will be able to handle it.
$endgroup$
– Mark
37 mins ago