The Inner Planets: Practice Problem Solutions

1. Venus, about 465 C, because its thick carbon dioxide atmosphere traps heat.

2. Venus spins backward, and its day (243 Earth days) is longer than its year (225 Earth days).

3. Iron in the dust and rocks has rusted.

4. Olympus Mons on Mars, about 22 km high.

5. All are small and rocky with solid surfaces. They differ in size, atmosphere (none, thick, medium, thin), temperature, moons, and whether liquid water exists on the surface.

6. It is at a distance from its star where liquid water could exist on the surface.

7. Any two of: Curiosity, Perseverance, Ingenuity, Viking, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Spirit, Opportunity.