From previous missions, we now have a good understanding of…

From previous missions, we now have a good understanding of the temperature extremes on Mars.  On average, the planet has a temperature of -80°F.  At the equator, daytime temperatures during the Martian summer can actually reach 70°F, but summer nighttime temperatures can plummet to -100°F. Hence, human survival will depend on maintaining a relatively stable temperature regime.  Once colonization occurs, imagine a human Martian is out exploring the surface during the day but loses her way and is stranded going into the cold summer night.  First, what is temperature?

Many of the rovers have studied the surface of Mars and coll…

Many of the rovers have studied the surface of Mars and collected samples of Martian soil.  Analysis of one prominent element indicates that in its natural state it contains 26 electrons and has 4 more neutrons than it does protons. What is the Atomic Number and Atomic Mass of this element?