Download The Terrestrial Planets

The Terrestrial Planets
Quick Write
In this chapter, you will learn about
the the terrestrial planets.
Write down these questions and
answer them in complete sentences.
1. Which planet has an extreme
greenhouse effect?
2. What 2 things about Earth allow
for life?
1. Mercury?
•No moons
•1/3 the size of Earth
•Very slow spin/rotation
(1400 hours to rotate once)
2. Atmosphere on
Mercury?
No, but small amounts of
oxygen and sodium gas.
3. Surface of Mercury?
Terrestrial with many
craters.
4. Venus?
•No moons
•Extreme greenhouse
effect
•Slow rotation (243 days
per rotation)
•Retrograde spin (spins
backwards)
5. Surface of Venus?
•464 degrees C because
of greenhouse effect.
•Hot enough to melt lead.
•Many volcanoes.
6. Clouds on Venus?
Layer of CO2 clouds about 35 km thick.
Check for Understanding
List 1 characteristic of Mercury.
List 1 characteristic of Venus.
Movie
7. Earth?
•Atmosphere (necessary
for life)
•23.5 degree tilt (allows
for seasons)
•Liquid water (necessary
for life)
•1 moon
8. Mars?
•High iron content in soil
and rock (makes it red)
•2 moons
9. Mars atmosphere?
Very thin, which causes
large ice caps at both
poles.
10. Mars surface?
•Cold
•Has seasons
•Lots of volcanism
(Olympus Mons = largest
volcano in solar system)
Check for Understanding
Which of the following allow for
the possibility of life on Earth?
a. liquid water b. oxygen c. atmosphere d. both a and c
What’s the main reason for
Mars’ colder surface temperature?
Movie