Solar System Planets Regents Questions

How does the period of revolution of Hermes compare to the period of revolution of the planets shown in the diagram?

• Hermes has a longer period of revolution than Mercury, but a shorter period of revolution than Venus, Earth, and Mars.

• Hermes has a shorter period of revolution than Mercury, but a longer period of revolution than Venus, Earth, and Mars.

• Hermes has a longer period of revolution than all of the planets shown.

• Hermes has a shorter period of revolution than all of the planets shown.

According to the diagram, as Hermes and the planets revolve around the Sun, Hermes appears to be a threat to collide with

• Earth, only

• Earth and Mars, only

• Venus, Earth, and Mars, only

• Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars

When Hermes is located at position A and Earth is in the position shown in the diagram, the asteroid can be viewed from Earth at each of the following times except

• sunrise

• sunset

• 12 noon

• 12 midnight

Base your answer to the following question on the diagram below. The diagram represents the inferred stages in the formation of our solar system. Stage 1 shows a contracting gas cloud. The remaining stages show the gas cloud flattening into a spinning disk as planets formed around our Sun. Which force was mostly responsible for the contraction of the gas cloud?

• friction

• gravity

• magnetism

• inertia

Which statement correctly compares the size, composition, and density of Neptune to Earth?

• Neptune is smaller more gaseous, and less dense.

• Neptune is larger, more gaseous, and less dense.

• Neptune is smaller, more solid, and more dense.

• Neptune is larger, more solid, and more dense.

Which is the largest planet in our solar system?

• Earth

• Uranus

• Saturn

• Jupiter

Which two characteristics do all Jovian planets have in common?

• small diameters and low densities

• small diameters and high densities

• large diameters and low densities

• large diameters and high densities

Base your answer to the following question on the diagram of the solar system below. On which planet would a measuring instrument placed at the planet's equator record the longest time from sunrise to sunset?

• Mercury

• Venus

• Earth

• Mars

Which statement best explains why Earth and the other planets of our solar system became layered as they were being formed?

• Gravity caused less-dense material to move toward the center of each planet.

• Gravity caused more-dense material to move toward the center of each planet.

• Materials that cooled quickly stayed at the surface of each planet.

• Materials that cooled slowly stayed at the surface of each planet.

The diagram below represents Earth. Which diagram best represents Mars, drawn to the same scale?

• A

• B

• C

• D