1) Terrestrial planets are largely composed of rock; they have thin atmospheres (in comparison to their rock composition); and they don't have very many moons (especially when we look at the number of moons that the Jovian planets have).
2) The surface of Venus is hotter than Earth's because of the greenhouse effect. While Earth's atmosphere is largely composed of nitrogen and oxygen, Venus' atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases trap the sun's UV light and heat so that it cannot escape back into space, thus increasing the surface temperature of a planet. It is important for us to recognize the consequences of this effect so that we reduce greenhouse gas pollution into our own atmosphere and prevent the same effect from happening on Earth.
3) Mars is red because of rust. The rocks and soil on Mars are largely composed of iron. When iron is exposed to oxygen, the product is rust. The oxygen on Mars could come from the presence of water on the surface in the past or the atmosphere.
Please answer the following three questions:
ReplyDelete1) If you were to compare the different terrestrial planets, what do they have in common?
2) Why is the surface of Venus hotter than the Earths?
3) Why is Mars red?
1) Terrestrial planets are largely composed of rock; they have thin atmospheres (in comparison to their rock composition); and they don't have very many moons (especially when we look at the number of moons that the Jovian planets have).
Delete2) The surface of Venus is hotter than Earth's because of the greenhouse effect. While Earth's atmosphere is largely composed of nitrogen and oxygen, Venus' atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases trap the sun's UV light and heat so that it cannot escape back into space, thus increasing the surface temperature of a planet. It is important for us to recognize the consequences of this effect so that we reduce greenhouse gas pollution into our own atmosphere and prevent the same effect from happening on Earth.
3) Mars is red because of rust. The rocks and soil on Mars are largely composed of iron. When iron is exposed to oxygen, the product is rust. The oxygen on Mars could come from the presence of water on the surface in the past or the atmosphere.
what is it about earth that makes it so special? Why are we just the right temperature?
ReplyDelete-zack davison