ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Evolution of water on Mars and Earth

Alright kiddo, today we're going to talk about something very interesting - the evolution of water on Mars and Earth. Do you know what water is? Water is something that we use to drink, wash things, and even swim in. It's a very important liquid that we need to survive.

Now, let's talk about Mars and Earth. Mars is a planet that is close to us, but it's not like Earth. It's really cold and doesn't have much air or atmosphere. Scientists think that a long time ago, Mars had a lot of water on its surface. It might have had big oceans and lakes just like Earth! The water on Mars came from various sources, including comets, meteorites, and the planet itself.

But why is there no water on Mars now? Well, scientists believe that Mars lost most of its water due to an extreme climate change that caused the water to evaporate or freeze. The atmosphere of Mars also became less dense, making it easier for the water to escape into space.

On the other hand, Earth is a planet that's perfect for us to live on, and it has a lot of water. In fact, about 71% of Earth's surface is covered with water! The water on Earth is a result of a process called the Water cycle. This is when water evaporates from the surface, rises up into the air, and then falls back down as precipitation. This cycle has been happening for millions of years, and it's what keeps our planet hydrated.

So, in summary, both Mars and Earth had water on their surfaces a long time ago, but due to different reasons, Mars lost most of its water while Earth managed to keep it. Isn't that fascinating, kiddo?
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