To determine whether methane exists as a gas on Titan, we first need to convert the relevant temperatures.
The freezing point of methane is 295°F and the boiling point is 263°F. We need to convert these temperatures to Kelvin for comparison with Titan’s surface temperature.
Using the formula: K = (°F – 32) × 5/9 + 273.15, we convert:
- For the boiling point: K = (263 – 32) × 5/9 + 273.15 ≈ 272.04 K
- For the freezing point: K = (295 – 32) × 5/9 + 273.15 ≈ 329.85 K
Now we know that on Titan, with a surface temperature of 93 K, this is much lower than both the boiling point (272.04 K) and the freezing point (329.85 K) of methane. Therefore, since the temperature on Titan is well below the freezing point of methane, it cannot exist as a gas. Instead, it would be found in a solid state.
In summary, if methane exists on Titan, it is not a gas; rather, it is a solid due to the extremely low temperature of the environment.