Final answer:
The combined mass of Earth (5.97 × 10^24 kg) and Mars (6.418 × 10^23 kg) is calculated to be 6.612 × 10^24 kg, making option B the closest answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The combined mass of Earth and Mars is found by summing the mass of each planet. According to the information provided, the mass of Earth is 5.97 × 1024 kg and the mass of Mars is 6.418 × 1023 kg. To calculate the combined mass, we simply add these two masses together.
- Mass of Earth = 5.97 × 1024 kg
- Mass of Mars = 6.418 × 1023 kg
To get the total mass:
5.97 × 1024 kg + 6.418 × 1023 kg = 5.971 + 0.6418 × 1024 kg
= 6.612 × 1024 kg
None of the answer choices matches this calculation exactly, but choice B) 7.03 × 1024 kg is the closest option to the calculated combined mass of Earth and Mars.