Properties of the planets

Respond with complete sentences.

Physical properties are used to identify planets. Use your knowledge of those physical properties to identify two planets. Name the planet along with two of the physical properties of that planet and explain how that physical property is used to identify that planet.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Match the following

• the Moon

• to move repeatedly around something

• asteroid belt

• the four closest planets to the Sun

• inner planets

• the gases surrounding a planet

• orbit

• what separates the inner and outer planets

• atmosphere

• a celestial object that orbits a planet

You are studying with your classmate to learn the differences between the inner

and outer planets. You make a list. Which statements refer to the inner planets? Choose TWO correct answers.

• ❑ They are made primarily of gases.

• ❑ They are the smallest four planets.

• ❑ They are the largest four planets.

• ❑ They are made primarily of rock.

You are studying with your classmate to learn the differences between the inner

and outer planets. You make a list. Which statements refer to the outer planets? Choose TWO correct answers.

• ❑ They are made primarily of gases.

• ❑ They are the smallest four planets.

• ❑ They are the largest four planets.

• ❑ They are made primarily of rock.

What does the term “terrestrial” mean?

• like Earth in some way

• made of gases

• surrounded by clouds

• surrounded by moons

Which of the following is true about the outer planets?

• They are also called Jovian planets.

• They are more dense than the other planets.

• More is known about them than the other planets.

• They are made mostly of rock.

The Sun’s gravity keeps the planets in orbit in our solar system. How does

the distance between two objects affect the force of gravity?

• The closer the two objects are, the less gravitational force they have.

• The closer the two objects are, the more gravitational force they have.

• The gravitational force does not change with distance.

• None of these are true.

Organize these options into the right categories

Groups:

(a) Inner Planets

,

(b) Outer Planets

,

(c) Galilean Moons

• Saturn

• Mercury

• Callisto

• Ganymede

• Uranus

• Europa

• Neptune

• Jupiter

• Mars

• Venus

• Earth

• Io

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

What is the force that keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun?

• Electromagnetic force

• Gravitational force

• Nuclear force

• Frictional force

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

What is the largest planet in our solar system?

• Mercury

• Venus

• Jupiter

• Neptune

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