Book 1, Question 85 · Video
Why Is Mars Rusty Red? Iron, Oxygen and Dust!
Mars is called the red planet, and the page says it is covered in iron rust. Mars is full of rocks and dust that contain iron, and when iron meets a little oxygen and water, even t
Read the full answer →What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why is Mars rusty red?
The Big Idea
Mars looks red because its rocks and dust are covered in rust! That's the same orange-brown stuff that forms on an old bike left out in the rain. Let's explore the red planet!
Mars Rocks Have Iron
Number one: Mars rocks have iron. Mars is full of rocks and dust that contain iron, a kind of metal. Iron is in lots of things here on Earth too, like nails, and even your blood!
Iron Rusts With a Little Oxygen
Number two: iron rusts with a little oxygen. When iron meets a little oxygen and water, even tiny amounts, it slowly rusts. Scientists think that long ago, water and oxygen on Mars slowly rusted its iron, turning it red.
Dust Paints the Sky and Ground
Number three: dust paints the sky and the ground. Winds blow the fine, rusty dust all over the planet. It covers the ground, and even colors the sky orange! Sometimes, giant dust storms cover the whole planet!
A Closer Look at Rust
Let's take a closer look at rust! Start with iron. Add oxygen from the air. And add a little water. Together, they make rust! Scientists call it iron oxide. It's crumbly and orange-brown, just like the dust on Mars!
Quick Facts
Quick facts! Rust is iron oxide. That's what happens when iron, oxygen, and water get together. Mars is only about half as wide as Earth. Just under the dusty surface, many Mars rocks are gray, not red! And robot rovers, like Curiosity and Perseverance, explore Mars for us!
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Look at a rusty nail and a shiny one. The rusty nail is rough, crumbly, and dull orange-brown. That's iron oxide, or rust! The shiny nail is smooth, reflective, and silvery gray. That's iron, not rust. What would happen if you left the shiny nail outside for a few days? Try it and see! Nails can be sharp, so ask a grown-up to help.
Outro
Mars is a giant, rusty planet, painted red by iron and dust! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!