Planets & Planetary Figures
planet closest to the Sun
Mercury
able to support life
define conglomerate rock
formed by flowing water, rocks and pebbles flow down and layer on top of each other, pressure over time creates rock
rock formed from flowing water
conglomerate rock
what is a model
object, diagram, or computer program that helps us understand something
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
why is Earth habitable
liquid water, suitable temperature, atmosphere, energy source
why compare Martian channel to Earth channels
if shape, slope and features are similar to channels on Earth then likely formed by the same process
rock formed from cooled lava
basalt
why was a model needed to investigate novae on Mars
to test ideas since we cannot go to Venus
dwarf planet
Pluto
evidence that Mars was once habitable?
channel formed by flowing water, conglomerate rocks
what would happen if water flowed over flat land
flooding; no channel
why is conglomerate rock important to the investigation
formed by flowing water, so Mars once habitable
how does reasoning help scientists use evidence to support a claim
connects evidence to claim using scientific concepts
planet with rings
Saturn
how does distance from the Sun affect habitability
too close = too hot, too far = too cold, liquid water only in the "Goldilocks" zone
landform at the base of steep channels
triangle shaped landforms
conglomerate vs basalt formation
Conglomerate forms from sediment cemented by flowing water; basalt forms from cooling lava
what scientific concepts explain the reasoning behind the claim that water formed the channel
shape of channel matches shape or water channels on Earth
slope creates triangle shaped landform similar to Earth
conglomerate rock formed by water on Earth so must be the same on Mars
4 rocky planets in order from the Sun, and one characteristic of each
Mercury: smallest, closest to the Sun
Venus: hottest
Earth: only planet with biosphere and liquid water
Mars: red planet, evidence of past liquid water
Explain why the presence of liquid water, atmosphere, and distance from the Sun together make a planet more likely to be habitable.
A planet needs liquid water to support chemical reactions for life, an atmosphere to regulate temperature and provide gases like oxygen, and the right distance from the Sun so it’s neither too hot nor too cold—these factors together create conditions suitable for life.
multiple pieces of evidence leading to conclusion that water formed the channel
channel shape, slope and rock type (conglomerate)
How does rock type help scientists make scientific arguments about past geologic processes?
Rock type shows how the landform was created; evidence from rocks supports claims about past water or lava activity
how models, evidence and reasoning lead to a scientific argument
models simulate processes and give evidence, which can support claims to create a scientific argument