Ch.11 L2 The Inner Planets

All the inner planets _______.

• have at least one moon.

• have thick atmospheres.

• are rocky and have a solid outer layer.

Because Mercury’s mass is so small, it _______.

• does not rotate.

• has no atmosphere.

• has a surface that is not solid.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Why is Venus the hottest inner planet?

• It is covered with liquid water.

• It is the closest planet to the Sun.

• Its atmosphere traps a lot of heat energy.

Earth is the only planet with a wide variety of life because of its ________.

• size and shape.

• closeness to the Sun.

• moderate temperature and liquid water.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Why do scientists think that liquid water might have once existed on Mars?

• Mars’s surface has deep gullies on it.

• The southern half of Mars is covered with craters.

• The largest known mountain in the solar system is on Mars.

How is Venus, unlike other planets?

• It has a solid inner core.

• It has a very thin atmosphere.

• Its period of rotation is longer than its period of revolution.

Which inner planet has the longest period of revolution and why?

• Venus, because it spins very slowly

• Mercury, because it is closest to the Sun

• Mars, because it is farthest from the Sun

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

From the figure, what one surface feature sets Earth apart from the other inner planets?

• large amounts of solar radiation

• a highly reflective planetary surface

• water covering much of the surface of the planet and atmosphere

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

What compound is responsible for the color of the soil on Mars?

• iron oxide

• carbon dioxide

• methane gas

Which of the following is not a shared feature between Venus and Earth?

• an atmosphere

• liquid outer core

• clouds of water vapor