Geology on Mars Vocabulary

hydrosphere

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

Geological processes

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

model

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

Rocky Planet

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

rocky planet

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

reasoning

the process of making clear how your evidence supports your claim

Geosphere

the solid part of a rocky planet

Compare

to notice how two or more things are alike or different

Biosphere

All the living things on a planet

scientific argument

a claim supported by evidence

Landform

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

landform

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

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

planetary geologist

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

System

a set of interacting parts forming a complex whole

system

a set of interacting parts forming a complex whole

Habitable

having the conditions necessary to support life

Evidence

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

Atmosphere

the mixture of gases surrounding a planet