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Questions and Answers
What is the main reason for Mars' red appearance?
What is the composition of the Earth's atmosphere?
78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen
Venus is the __________ planet in the solar system.
hottest
What is the primary component of the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn?
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Study Notes
Planets
Overview
- The solar system consists of eight planets ( Mercury to Neptune)
- Each planet is unique in terms of size, composition, temperature, and atmosphere
Terrestrial Planets
-
Mercury
- Smallest planet in the solar system
- Closest to the sun
- Rocky surface with many craters
-
Mars
- Known for its red appearance due to iron oxide
- Has polar ice caps
- Potential for life in the past
-
Earth
- Only known planet to support life
- 71% of surface is water
- Atmosphere composed of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen
-
Venus
- Hottest planet in the solar system
- Thick atmosphere traps heat
- Volcanic surface with many mountains
Gas Giants
-
Jupiter
- Largest planet in the solar system
- Composed mostly of hydrogen and helium
- Known for its Great Red Spot storm
-
Saturn
- Second-largest planet in the solar system
- Famous for its ring system
- Composed mostly of hydrogen and helium
-
Uranus
- Tilted axis results in extreme seasons
- Composed mostly of hydrogen, helium, and methane
- Has a system of rings and moons
-
Neptune
- Coldest planet in the solar system
- Composed mostly of hydrogen, helium, and methane
- Has strong winds and a few small moons
Planets
Overview
- The solar system consists of eight distinct planets, ranging from Mercury to Neptune.
- Each planet has unique characteristics in terms of size, composition, temperature, and atmosphere.
Terrestrial Planets
-
Mercury
- Has a rocky surface with numerous craters, being the smallest planet in the solar system.
- Is closest to the sun, with a highly elliptical orbit.
-
Mars
- Known for its reddish appearance due to iron oxide presence.
- Features polar ice caps, indicating the possibility of water presence.
- Has a potential for life existing in the past.
-
Earth
- Is the only known planet to support life.
- Has a surface composition of 71% water.
- Atmosphere consists of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen.
-
Venus
- Is the hottest planet, with surface temperatures reaching up to 462°C.
- Has a thick atmosphere that traps heat, resulting in a strong greenhouse effect.
- Features a volcanic surface with numerous mountains.
Gas Giants
-
Jupiter
- Is the largest planet in the solar system, with a diameter of approximately 142,984 km.
- Composed mostly of hydrogen and helium gases.
- Features a prominent storm, known as the Great Red Spot.
-
Saturn
- Is the second-largest planet, with a diameter of approximately 116,460 km.
- Famous for its elaborate ring system, composed of ice and rock particles.
- Composed mostly of hydrogen and helium gases.
-
Uranus
- Has a highly tilted axis, resulting in extreme seasons.
- Composed mostly of hydrogen, helium, and methane ices.
- Features a system of rings and numerous moons.
-
Neptune
- Is the coldest planet, with temperatures reaching as low as -224°C.
- Composed mostly of hydrogen, helium, and methane ices.
- Features strong winds and a few small moons.
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Description
Explore the unique features of the terrestrial planets in our solar system, including Mercury, Mars, and Earth. Learn about their size, composition, temperature, and atmosphere.
