Question

The root word terra means “land” or “territory.” Terrestrial planets are the planets closest to the Sun. Why are they are called terrestrial planets? Make your best guess.

Answer 1

The planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, are called terrestrial because they have a compact, rocky surface like Earth's terra firma.

Answer 2

The planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, are called terrestrial because they have a compact, rocky surface like Earth's terra firma.

Step-by-step explanation:

A terrestrial planet, telluric planet, or rocky planet is a planet that is composed primarily of silicate rocks or metals. Within the Solar System, the terrestrial planets are the inner planets closest to the Sun, i.e. Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars