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R Assessment points) Identify 3 pieces of evidence that prove the existence of water on the surface of Mars. square A

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R Assessment points) Identify 3 pieces of evidence that prove the existence of water on the surface of Mars. square A

R Assessment
points)
Identify 3 pieces of evidence that prove the existence of water on the surface of
Mars.
square  A

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KarsynElite · Tutor for 8 years

Answer

To identify evidence that proves the existence of water on the surface of Mars, consider the following three pieces of evidence:<br /><br />1. **Polar Ice Caps**: Mars has polar ice caps composed primarily of water ice. These ice caps expand and contract with the changing seasons on Mars, indicating the presence of water in solid form.<br /><br />2. **Surface Features**: There are numerous surface features on Mars, such as valleys, channels, and gullies, which resemble those formed by flowing water on Earth. These features suggest that liquid water once flowed on the Martian surface.<br /><br />3. **Detection of Hydrated Minerals**: Instruments on Mars rovers and orbiters have detected minerals that form in the presence of water, such as clays and sulfates. The presence of these hydrated minerals indicates that water was present in the past to alter the rocks chemically.<br /><br />These pieces of evidence collectively support the conclusion that water exists or has existed on the surface of Mars.
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