Planetary Science Flashcard

Front

What are the inner planets?

Back

The inner planets, also known as terrestrial planets, include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. They are closer to the Sun and are primarily composed of rock and metal.

Front

What are the outer planets?

Back

The outer planets, also known as gas giants, include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. They are located farther from the Sun and are mostly composed of gases, with low densities.

Front

What is the heliocentric theory?

Back

The heliocentric theory is the astronomical model that places the Sun at the center of the solar system, with the Earth and other planets orbiting around it.

Front

What is the geocentric theory?

Back

The geocentric theory is the outdated astronomical model that places the Earth at the center of the universe, with the Sun and other celestial bodies orbiting around it.

Front

What does Kepler's second law state?

Back

Kepler's second law, also known as the law of equal areas, states that a line segment joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas during equal intervals of time.

Front

Which object in our solar system has the most mass?

Back

The Sun contains the most mass in our solar system, accounting for about 99.86% of the total mass.

Front

What is the asteroid belt?

Back

The asteroid belt is a region in space located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, containing numerous small rocky bodies known as asteroids.

Front

What is the significance of the distance between inner and outer planets?

Back

The distance between inner and outer planets affects their composition, with inner planets being rocky and outer planets being gaseous due to their formation in different regions of the solar system.

Front

What is the main difference between terrestrial and gas giant planets?

Back

Terrestrial planets are rocky and have solid surfaces, while gas giants are composed mostly of gases and lack a well-defined solid surface.

Front

How do planets maintain their orbits?

Back

Planets maintain their orbits due to the gravitational pull of the Sun, which keeps them in a stable path around it.