Full name Period III. Chapter 14, section 3: The Inner Planets A. The inner planets: are the four terrestrial planets that are closest to the sun. Mercury.

Not Part of Your Science Notebook

Full namePeriod

III. Chapter 14, section 3: The Inner PlanetsA. The inner planets: are the four terrestrial planets that

are closest to the sun.

Mercury

Venus Earth

Mars

1. Small in size2. Dense (Composed of some metals)3. Rocky with relatively thin atmospheres

2. Dense (Composed of some metals)3. Rocky with relatively thin atmospheres

B. Mercury: is the smallest and closest to the sun of all the planets.

1. Distance from the sun: 0.39 AU

3. Period of revolution: 66 days4. Diameter: 4,879 km5. Density: 5.43 g/cm3

6. Axis tilt: 0.01 degrees7. Surface gravity: 38% of Earth’s

2. Period of rotation: 58 days, 15.6 hours

C. Venus: is the second planet from the sun and has the thickest atmosphere of the terrestrial planets.

1. Distance from the sun: 0.72 AU2. Period of rotation (retrograde): 243 days, 2.4 hours3. Period of revolution: 224 days, 17 hours4. Diameter: 12,104 km5. Density: 5.24 g/cm3

Has no moon

4. Diameter: 12,104 km5. Density: 5.24 g/cm3

C. Venus: is the second planet from the sun and has the thickest atmosphere of the terrestrial planets.

1. Distance from the sun: 0.72 AU2. Period of rotation (retrograde): 243 days, 2.4 hours3. Period of revolution: 224 days, 17 hours

6. Axis tilt: 2.6 degrees7. Surface gravity: 91% of Earth’s8. Atmosphere of Venus

a. Very dense (for a terrestrial planet)i. Creates pressures 90 time greater than found on Earth.

b. Made of mostly CO2

i. Traps heat (Greenhouse effect)ii. Surface temperature 464 C (100 C = boiling H2O)

c. Made of sulfuric acid too9. Exploration of Venus

Has no moon

c. Made of sulfuric acid too9. Exploration of Venusa. Many orbiters of Venus (mapping by radar imagining) b. Very few landings on Venus (not by humans yet)

i. Most did not last long if at allii. Venera 14* Lasted 57 minuets (designed for 30 minutes)** Took only a few pictures

Not Part of Your Science Notebook

Full namePeriod

III. Chapter 14, section 3: The Inner Planets (continued)D. Earth: is the only know planet with life.

4. Diameter: 12,756 km5. Density: 5.52 g/cm3

1. Distance from the sun: 1 AU2. Period of rotation: 23 hours, 56 minuets3. Period of revolution: 365 days, 6 days

6. Axis tilt: 23.5 degrees7. Surface gravity: 100% of Earth’s8. Atmosphere of Eartha. Very thin (Apple skin thin as a model)b. 73% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, 2% H2O, 4% many other…

9. One rocky moon (very large)10. H2O in solid, liquid and gas states

10. H2O in solid, liquid and gas statesE. Mars: is a rusty planet that humans could visit (presently).

4. Diameter: 6,794 km5. Density: 3.94 g/cm3

1. Distance from the sun: 1.52 AU

6. Axis tilt: 25.2 degrees7. Surface gravity: 38% of Earth’s8. Atmosphere of Marsa. Very, very thinb. Mostly CO2

2. Period of rotation: 24 hours, 37 minuets3. Period of revolution: 1 years 322 days

9. Two very small, oddly shaped, rocky moons 10. Mars has only been visited by, robotic probes

9. Two very small, oddly shaped, rocky moons 10. Mars has only been visited by, robotic probes

11. Mars has the tallest volcano (extinct)

12. Has the deepest canyon too (Valles Marineris)