Answer to Question #212207 in Physics for Adelia

Question

Explain why the hydrogen gas can escape from the earth atmosphere compared to oxygen and nitrogen gases? Explain based on mass, speed and escape velocity of the gases.

Answer 1

Theory and modeling work suggest that a planet can hold onto it's atmosphere if the escape velocity is about 4-6 times greater than the average kinetic velocity. Thus, hydrogen gas can escape from the earth atmosphere but oxygen and nitrogen gases cannot do this.