ES The Solar System

Why are planets slightly closer to the sun at certain points in their orbit?

• The sun moves back and forth throughout the year.

• The sun's strength changes over time, and its gravity pulls harder in some months.

• The planets have an elliptical orbit which causes them to be slightly closer to the sun at some points in their orbit.

• Planets have a circular orbit, and the sun is always equi-distant from the planets.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

What materials formed the inner planets in our solar system?

• large amounts of lighter matter, such as hydrogen

• primarily noble gases

• mostly dark matter, with some helium

• heavier materials, consisting mostly of rocky and metallic pieces

Our solar system contains many elements heavier than iron. What is the likely origin of these elements?

• the sun

• a supernova explosion

• a black hole

• a white dwarf

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

What is the name of the area between Mars and Jupiter?

• the milky way

• galaxy

• the asteroid belt

• Kuiper belt

Why are telescopes so useful to astronomers?

• They permit astronomers to see close-up objects.

• They make objects in space look bigger.

• They let the astronomers look inside stars.

• Telescopes allow astronomers to look ahead in time.

Why is it so difficult to travel to other planets?

• We can't carry enough oxygen to get to other planets.

• Distances are too great for the speeds we currently can go.

• Other planets are too large to land on.

• Navigation to other planets is too difficult.

Most meteorites vaporize in Earth's atmosphere, but some do not. Why?

• They move too slowly.

• They are too large.

• They are too cold.

• They move too fast to catch fire.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

The tail of a comet always points

• behind it

• in front of it

• away from the sun

• toward the sun

Many craters around the world are proof that _______ have struck the Earth and kicked up clouds of dust and debris, changing the climate.

• moons

• small planets

• large meteorites

• dead stars

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

A brief streak of light in the sky, also known as a "shooting star," is

• a meteor

• an asteroid

• a comet

• a meteorite