Question

Outline, in your own words, the two possible explanation for the origin of the nitrogen in Titan's atmosphere that were given BEFORE the Cassini-Huygens mission. (1-2 sencentes for each)

Explain how data from Cassini-Huygens ruled out one of those explanations. (1 or 2 sencentes)

Answer 1

The two possible explanation for the origin of the nitrogen in Titan's atmosphere that were given before the Cassini-Huygens mission are-

1) Direct condensation of gases in the young Titan would have resulted in the capture of nitrogen(N₂).

2) Titan’s nitrogen originated from the conversion of primordial NH3 into N2 via photochemistry and/or shock chemistry.

However, the depleted ratio detected by the Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GCMS) on Huygens implies that the nitrogen was captured as ammonia (NH₃) or in other nitrogen-bearing compounds

Thus contradicting the first assumption