Why is Mars called the Red Planet?
Answer – Mars is called the Red Planet due to its appearance – the soil on its surface is a distinctive rust red color. Explanation:
Mars is the fourth planet in the solar system, and is frequently visible from Earth. It appears as a red object in the sky and hence, has been dubbed the Red Planet.
Image credit: USGS via Wikimedia Commons The red color of Mars is due to the high amount of iron-oxide content in the uppermost layer of its soil. The presence of so much iron oxide in this layer of the planet is attributed to its small size and weak gravitational force (in comparison to Earth). While it was being formed, the iron oxide did not melt and sink to its core, as it did on Earth. Thus, it remains on the surface and causes the planet to appear red.
Mars’ atmosphere is thin, allowing winds to build up that pick up dust from the surface. Thus, the planet’s atmosphere is also laden with red iron-oxide particles enhancing the appearance of the color.
The red color of Mars is a significant marker of the planet, and is even responsible for its name: it was named after the Roman god of war. Other civilizations too used its color while naming the planet.
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3. Describe the surface and atmospheric conditions on Mars.
As evidenced in the photos of Figure 28.17, the sky on Mars is not blue as it is on Earth. Why not? Summarize the origin and evolution of the atmospheres of Venus, Earth, and Mars. Rivers on Mars (a) have never existed; (b) existed in the past but are dry today; (c) continue to have flowing water today. Why doesnt Mars have folded mountain ranges like the ones on Earth? Why doesnt Earth have large volcanoes like those on Mars?
26. Which of the following planets probably still has its original atmosphere?
a. Mercury
b. Venus
c. Mars
d. Jupiter
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8. The day on which planet is about the same time period as a day on Earth?
a. Mercury
b. Venus
c. Mars
d. Jupiter
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4. What evidence exists that Mars at one time had abundant liquid water? If Mars did have liquid water at one time, what happened to it and why?
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