LSAT 151 | Section 3 | Logical Reasoning: Q8

LR Question 8 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Winds, the movement of gases in the atmosphere of a planet …

QUESTION TYPE: Paradox

PARADOX: Winds are caused by temperature differences. Earth’s winds come from the Sun’s heat, but Jupiter gets too little solar heat to drive winds. Yet somehow, Jupiter has much stronger winds than Earth.

ANALYSIS: We need to explain how Jupiter can have very strong winds even though the Sun does not significantly heat its atmosphere. Since winds come from temperature differences, the right answer should identify another source of atmospheric heating besides the Sun.

___________

1. CORRECT. If Jupiter’s atmosphere is warmed by internal heat, then temperature differences can exist without significant solar heating.
2. Different gases do not explain where the temperature differences causing Jupiter’s winds come from.
3. This just restates the fact we’re trying to explain. It doesn’t help explain why Jupiter has stronger winds.
4. Other planets’ wind speeds are irrelevant to why Jupiter has strong winds.
5. So, Jupiter isn’t unique. That still doesn’t explain what causes the winds.