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Old 11-08-2019, 10:32 AM   #4
ericthered
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Default Re: a science question: atmospheric disequilibrium

You need two elements to form the basis of an atmospheric disequilibrium. Earth actually uses three: Oxygen, Carbon, and Hydrogen. Its worth noting that the Carbon and Hydrogen generally become solid or liquid and stay on the surface of the earth, preventing earth from experiencing constant fuel-air explosions.

A hydrogen based atmosphere is going to need an additional element in order to create a disequilibrium. Also, outside of a gas giant, hydrogen atmospheres are tricky to keep bound to the planet.

If Hydrogen and Nitrogen are your elements (ammonia), you're looking at splitting them into diatomic pairs (elemental hydrogen and elemental nitrogen) which both have very low condensation points, unless you've got another element you can mix in.
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