Unit 1: Geology of Mars

Atmosphere

the mixture of gases surrounding a planet

biosphere

all the living things on a planet

channel

a long, narrow groove that forms where water, lava, or other liquid flows

claim

a proposed answer to a question about the natural world

compare

to notice how two or more things are alike or different

evidence

information about the natural world that is used to support or go against (refute) a claim

geologic process

an event or series of events that causes changes in the geosphere, such as flowing water or flowing lava

geoshpere

the sold part of a rocky planet

habitable

having the conditions necessary to support life

hydrosphere

all the liquid water and solid water (ice) on a planet

landform

a feature that forms on a surface of a planet, such as a mountain, channel, or sand dune

model

an object, diagram, or computer program that helps us understand something by making it simpler or easier to see

planetary geologist

a scientist who studies the geosphere of planets in our solar system

reasoning

the process of making clear how your evidence supports your claim

rocky planet

any planet with a solid surface, such as Earth or Mars

scientific argument

a claim supported by evidence

system

a set of interacting parts forming a complex whole

Key concept 1

Earth Mars and other rocky planets can be though of as systems. These systems are made up of interacting spheres that can include the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere

Key concept 2

When landforms on different rocky planets look similar, it is evidence that they may have been formed by the same geologic process