The Martian

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Questions and Answers

Who is the author of The Martian?

Andy Weir

Who is the botanist left on Mars?

Mark Watney

The Hermes lands directly on Mars.

False

What does MDV stand for?

Mars Descent Vehicle Signup and view all the answers

How long does it take for NASA to send supplies up for the next mission?

3 years Signup and view all the answers

What does MAV stand for?

Mars Ascent Vehicle Signup and view all the answers

What is the house for the astronauts called?

Hab Signup and view all the answers

How long was the crew on Mars until the storm?

6 days Signup and view all the answers

Why did the crew abort the mission?

Because the winds of the storm were too powerful and the MDV was too fragile. Signup and view all the answers

How does Mark wake up?

The beeping sound of his oxygen alarm Signup and view all the answers

How did Mark survive?

He was stabbed with the antenna, sealing the hole in his spacesuit with his blood. Signup and view all the answers

How many rovers are there?

2 Signup and view all the answers

When will Ares 4, his only hope for being rescued, arrive?

4 years later Signup and view all the answers

How does Mark make soil?

He uses his poop, Earth soil, Mars soil, and lots of water. Signup and view all the answers

What plant does Mark plant?

Potatoes that were for Thanksgiving Signup and view all the answers

How is Mark going to make water?

Release hydrazine so it makes hydrogen and nitrogen and then burn the hydrogen to combine with oxygen. Signup and view all the answers

What went wrong with the hydrogen?

He didn't burn the hydrogen enough so the Hab is like a bomb. Signup and view all the answers

What happened when Mark was removing the hydrogen?

It explodes because he forgot to calculate the air he was breathing. Signup and view all the answers

What piece of equipment removes oxygen from carbon dioxide?

Oxygenator Signup and view all the answers

What is toxicity?

The degree to which a substance is biologically harmful Signup and view all the answers

What is a botanist?

A scientist who studies plants Signup and view all the answers

What is a geologist?

A scientist who studies the forces that make and shape planet Earth Signup and view all the answers

What does sustainable mean?

Able to meet the current demand for a resource without depleting the future supply Signup and view all the answers

____________ is the change of the physical state of matter from gas phase into liquid phase.

Condensation Signup and view all the answers

What is an exothermic reaction?

A chemical reaction in which energy is primarily given off in the form of heat. Signup and view all the answers

What is combustion?

A rapid reaction between oxygen and fuel that results in fire or burning. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Mars solar day (Sol)?

39 minutes longer than 1 Earth day Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Author and Characters

Andy Weir is the author of The Martian.
Mark Watney is a botanist stranded on Mars after a crew mission aborts.

Vehicles and Missions

Hermes is the spacecraft that orbits Mars, awaiting the Mars Descent Vehicle (MDV).
MDV stands for Mars Descent Vehicle, used for landing on Mars.
MAV stands for Mars Ascent Vehicle, used for launching from Mars.
Ares 4 is the mission set to rescue Mark, expected to arrive in four years.

Timeframes and Events

It takes NASA three years to prepare the next mission with supplies.
The crew was on Mars for six days before the storm forced mission abort.

Survival and Challenges

Mark wakes up to his oxygen alarm beeping.
He survives a punctured space suit caused by an antenna, which self-seals with his blood.
Mark has two rovers available for exploration.

Agricultural Innovations

Mark creates soil using human waste, Earth soil, Mars soil, and water.
He plants Thanksgiving potatoes as his main crop.

Water Production Challenges

He attempts to produce water by releasing hydrazine to generate hydrogen and nitrogen, then burns the hydrogen with oxygen.
A mistake in burning hydrogen creates a volatile situation, with risks of explosion.
When attempting to remove hydrogen, he fails to account for the air, causing an explosion.

Equipment and Concepts

The oxygenator is critical for converting carbon dioxide into oxygen.
Toxicity refers to the harmful effects substances can have on biological systems.

Scientific Definitions

A botanist is a scientist specializing in the study of plants.
A geologist examines the forces shaping Earth.
Sustainability refers to the ability to meet current resource demands without compromising future availability.
Condensation is the process of gas changing into liquid.
Exothermic reactions release heat/energy during chemical reactions.
Combustion is a rapid reaction with oxygen that produces fire.
A Martian solar day (Sol) is 39 minutes longer than an Earth day.

Studying That Suits You

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Description

Test your knowledge of the first five chapters of 'The Martian' by Andy Weir with these flashcards. Topics include key characters, terminology, and plot elements that set the stage for an unforgettable space survival story.

The Martian - Chapters 1-5 Flashcards