Similarities & Differences in Mars & Earth

••• Pitris/iStock/GettyImages

Earth and Mars are planetary neighbors in the solar system, sharing some features, such as a rocky composition, and having differences, such as size and temperature. Although the same materials make up Earth and Mars, they are present in different amounts. The two planets are also thought to have formed at about the same time, although they evolved to become very different. While Earth is home to many forms of life, whether any exists on Mars at all remains a question.

Similarities Between Mars and Earth

Both Earth and Mars are believed to have condensed out of a massive cloud of hot gases around the sun about 4.6 billion years ago, according to the European Space Agency. Since that time, both planets slowly cooled and formed into the spherical shapes you see today. Both planets have dense cores and hard exterior crusts. In addition, water had a role in the history of both.

Size of the Planets

Mars is nearly twice as large as the Moon and a little over half the size of Earth, according to the Center for Mars Exploration. The diameter of Mars is about 6,786 kilometers (4,217 miles), compared to that of Earth, which is about 12,756 kilometers (7,926 miles). In addition, Earth has a mass that is 10 times greater. Because of its much smaller size and mass, Mars cooled at a much faster rate than Earth, following its initial formation. Also, its lower gravity resulted in the faster loss of volatile materials, such as water and gases.

Atmosphere and Water

Mars has a very thin atmosphere that consists mostly of carbon dioxide. Average atmospheric pressure is 7 millibars, compared to 1,013 millibars on Earth. Without much atmosphere to protect it from heat loss, temperatures on Mars are much colder. According to NASA Quest, average temperature in the mid-latitudes are minus 50 degrees Celsius (minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit). At night, it can drop to minus 60 degrees Celsius (minus 76 degrees Fahrenheit), while daytime highs may reach 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).

Although water may once have existed on the surface of Mars, it disappeared long ago for unknown reasons. In comparison, Earth's surface is two-thirds water.

Stable Mars, Dynamic Earth

The Earth's outer crust is always moving. It is divided into plates that move laterally. In contrast, Mars' is stable, although there still appears to be some magma flow underground. This makes its geologic state very different from Earth's. Greater stability on Mars results in the preservation of much older features, some dating back to about four billion years.

Related Articles

Three Major Characteristics of the Inner Planets
How to Compare Earth to Neptune
What Planet Has the Largest Temperature Difference?
What Is in the Middle of Saturn?
What Characteristics Do the Inner Planets Share That...
The Difference Between Pluto & Gas Giants
Jupiter's Core vs. Earth's Core
Amazing Facts on Saturn
What Is Saturn's Surface Composition?
What Type of Water Forms Are on Neptune?
Comparison of Rocky & Gas Planets
What Are the Four Planets Closest to the Sun Called?
What Are Six Properties of the Earth?
Describe the Surface Terrain on Jupiter
Which Planet Is Considered Earth's Twin in Mass & Size?
What Is the Average Temperature of Jupiter?
5 Facts About the Earth's Inner Core
What Is the Large Equatorial Bulge of Jupiter?
What Are the Elements of Uranus?
The Characteristics of the Eight Planets

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!