Relying on your new knowledge of these three planets, fill in the chart below. Once you have come up with answers on your own, click on the boxes to view the solutions. What trend do you notice?
| Mars | Venus | Earth | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank the planets' relative distance from the sun: |
3rd closest to the sun (1.5237 AU).
|
Closest to the sun (0.7233 AU).
|
2nd closest to the sun (1 AU).
|
| What is the planet's atmospheric composition? |
Thin atmosphere, made of 95% CO2, 3% N2, and 2% Ar.
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Thick, cloudy atmosphere, made of 96% CO2, N2, SO2, H2SO4, HCl, HF, and Ar.
|
Moderately dense atmosphere made of 78% N2, 21% O2, Ar, water vapour, and other trace gases.
|
| Rank the planets' relative surface temperature: |
Coldest (-140°C to 20°C).
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Hottest (around 472°C).
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Intermediate (around 15°C).
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| Rank the planets' total amount of greenhouse gases: |
Lowest amount of greenhouse gases due to the low density of the atmosphere. (less than 1% as dense as Earth's)
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Highest amount of greenhouse gases due to high carbon dioxide and high density (90 times denser than Earth's!)
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Second highest greenhouse gas content.
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