Terrestrial Planets Flashcard

Front

What are terrestrial planets?

Back

Terrestrial planets are rocky planets that are primarily composed of silicate rocks or metals and have solid surfaces. The terrestrial planets in our solar system are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.

Front

Which planet is known for having a very thin atmosphere and extreme temperature fluctuations?

Back

Mercury is known for having a very thin atmosphere and extreme temperature fluctuations, with daytime temperatures reaching up to 800°F and dropping to -290°F at night.

Front

What is the primary reason Venus appears very bright from Earth?

Back

Venus appears very bright from Earth because it is completely covered in highly reflective clouds that reflect sunlight.

Front

Which terrestrial planet is most similar in size and appearance to Earth's moon?

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Mercury is most similar in size and appearance to Earth's moon, featuring countless craters and a similar diameter.

Front

What is the rotation period of Mercury compared to Earth?

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Mercury has a very slow rotation period, taking about 59 Earth days to complete one rotation.

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What is unique about Venus's rotation compared to its orbit around the Sun?

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Venus has a retrograde rotation, meaning it rotates in the opposite direction to its orbit around the Sun, taking about 243 Earth days to complete one rotation.

Front

What is the significance of Mars's dust storms?

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Mars is known for its global dust storms, which can cover the entire planet and last for weeks, affecting its weather and surface conditions.

Front

How does the atmosphere of Mars compare to that of Earth?

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Mars has a very thin atmosphere, composed mostly of carbon dioxide, which is less than 1% the density of Earth's atmosphere.

Front

What are the surface features of Mars?

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Mars features the largest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons, and a massive canyon system, Valles Marineris, along with polar ice caps.

Front

What is the greenhouse effect, and how does it relate to Venus?

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The greenhouse effect is the trapping of heat in a planet's atmosphere. Venus experiences a runaway greenhouse effect, leading to extremely high surface temperatures.