Comparing Earth and Rocky Planets

Front

Rocky Planet Noun

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[rok-ee plan-it]

Back

Rocky Planet

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A planet composed primarily of silicate rocks or metals, featuring a solid surface.

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Example: This diagram shows Mars' interior, illustrating its solid rocky surface and core.

Front

System Noun

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[sis-tuhm]

Back

System

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A set of connected things or parts that interact to form a complex, unified whole.

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Example: The solar system is a system where planets orbit the sun, showing how parts interact to form a whole.

Front

Geosphere Noun

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[jee-oh-sfeer]

Back

Geosphere

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The solid, rocky part of a planet, which includes its crust, mantle, and core.

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Example: The image shows Earth's layers: crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core, explaining the geosphere.

Front

Atmosphere Noun

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[at-muhs-feer]

Back

Atmosphere

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The envelope of gases that surrounds a planet, held in place by its gravity.

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Example: The image shows Earth's atmosphere layers, illustrating how gases are structured around the planet.

Front

Hydrosphere Noun

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[hahy-droh-sfeer]

Back

Hydrosphere

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All the water on a planet's surface, including oceans, lakes, ice, and water vapor.

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Example: This image shows the hydrosphere, including oceans, clouds, and glaciers, with arrows indicating water cycle processes.

Front

Biosphere Noun

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[bahy-oh-sfeer]

Back

Biosphere

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The part of a planet where life exists, including all living organisms and their environments.

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Example: The image shows the biosphere, including land, water, and air where life exists.

Front

Habitable Adjective

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[hab-i-tuh-buhl]

Back

Habitable

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Describing a place that has the necessary conditions, like liquid water, to support life.

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Example: This diagram shows Earth's layers like atmosphere and hydrosphere, necessary for life, explaining 'habitable'.

Front

Planetary Geologist Noun

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[plan-i-ter-ee jee-ol-uh-jist]

Back

Planetary Geologist

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A scientist who studies the solid features of planets, moons, and other celestial bodies.

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Example: The image shows the layers inside Mars, helping students understand the solid features of rocky planets.

Front

Geologic Process Noun

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[jee-uh-loj-ik pros-es]

Back

Geologic Process

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A natural event or force that builds up or wears away land on a planet's surface.

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Example: Tectonic plates moving apart cause volcanic eruptions, reshaping the land.

Front

Landform Noun

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[land-fawrm]

Back

Landform

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A natural feature of a planet's solid surface, such as a mountain, valley, or plain.

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Example: A mountain is a type of landform, showing how Earth's surface can rise into peaks.