Difference between Earth and Mars
Earth and Mars are the two planets in our solar system that have a lot more common with each other than any other pair, although they of course have a number of key differences, with the most significant of which being the Earth’s ability to support life. Nevertheless, the two neighbors have enough in common to warrant frequent comparison, and that is precisely what this article aims to provide.
Weather And Atmospheric Condition
Our planet is characterized by hurricanes, typhoons and tornadoes, all of which play essential roles in the atmospheric conditions. Some parts of the Earth are prone to frequent fog and/or snow, while others are entirely devoid of rain and any other type of precipitation for that matter. The Earth's atmosphere is comprised in large part of nitrogen, with a sizable percentage comprised of oxygen. Trace amounts of argon, carbon dioxide, and neon are also present. And of course, the fact that the planet is made up of ¾ water is well known. Mars is subject to fierce dust storms that may obscure the entire planet on occasion and the frequent Martian tornadoes and hurricane-like storms are also quite a lot bigger than similar occurrences on Earth. The Martian atmosphere is comprised mainly of carbon dioxide, along with trace amounts of oxygen. Scientists have yet to discover a sizable body of water on Mars, although many suspect that there maybe abundant amounts under the planet’s surface.
Temperature
The Earth is characterized by temperature extremes that are still able to sustain human life, with some areas being hot all year ’round, while others being quite frigid. The average temperature on the planet is 47.3° F (8.5°C) over its land areas, and this figure gets even higher in the surface air above the oceans. Mars for its part, is forbiddingly cold most of the time, with an average temperature of –67° F (-55°C) all throughout.
Weight And Dimensions
The Earth is about 7,926 miles in diameter, and it is still growing at the equator. Our home planet is about 93 million miles from the sun. Mars for its part is about 4,222 miles in diameter, and its distance from the sun ranges from 1.381 AU to 1.666 AU, depending on its orbit.
Summary
Earth
- Has temperature extremes ranging from hot to cold
- Average temperature of 47.3°F (8.5°C) over land areas
- Atmosphere is comprised of 76% nitrogen and 21% oxygen, along with trace amounts of argon, carbon dioxide, and neon
- Has plenty of snow
- Surface materials are recycled at a fast rate due to erosion and subduction
- Volcanoes are limited in size
Mars
- Extremely cold most of the time
- Temperatures of –67°F (-55°C)
- Plenty of dust storms that sometimes obscure the entire planet
- Has fierce tornadoes and huge hurricane-like storms
- Atmosphere is less than 1 % the density of Earth'
- Atmosphere is comprised mainly of carbon dioxide along with trace levels of oxygen
- Has some snow
- No water detected as yet, although some may exist under the planet’s surface
- Volcanoes can grow as long as magma is available
