Atmospheric Retention Lab

The NAAP Atmospheric Retention Lab explores some of the elements that go into the retention or loss of an atmosphere by a planet. The Maxwell-Boltzmann velocity distribution and escape velocity are introduced.

First time users of NAAP materials should read the NAAP Labs – General Overview page.

Details and resources for this lab – including demonstration guides, in-class worksheets, and technical documents – can be found on the instructor's page. Some resources are not available for all modules.

Atmospheric Retention Student Guide (pdf)

• Escape Velocity
• Projectile Simulation
• Speed Distribution
• Gas Retention Simulator [swf]
• Gas Retention Plot [swf]
• A Second Look