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Chapter 7: Problem 2

What are the characteristics of a terrestrial planet?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Terrestrial planets are rocky planets with a solid surface featuring geographic formations like mountains, valleys, and canyons. They have cores made of heavy metals like iron, thin atmospheres, and usually have few or no moons and no ring systems. Terrestrial planets in our solar system include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of a terrestrial planet

A terrestrial planet is defined as a planet that is rocky, as opposed to gaseous. These are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars in our solar system.
02

Characteristics of a terrestrial planet

The primary characteristics of terrestrial planets include: a solid surface with mountains, valleys, canyons, and impact craters, a core made of heavy metals like iron, thin atmospheres, few or no moons, and no ring systems.
03

Examples of terrestrial planets

Examples of terrestrial planets in our solar system include Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. These planets all exhibit the aforementioned characteristics.

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