Solar Systems

In 1996, the comet Hale Bopp came close to Jupiter and its orbit around the sun changed from 4200 years to 2380 years. For scientists to understand the orbital changes in the comet Hale Bopp, first they must understand -

• the composition of Jupiter

• the magnetic attraction of objects

• gravitational pull of objects

• the similarities of planets and comets

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

The planets of the solar system revolve around the Sun in orbits because of the Sun's —

• gravity

• rotation

• heat energy

• magnetic field

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Within our solar system is a collection of planets, moons, asteroids, and other smaller objects. Which will MOST likely share characteristics?

• all the gas giants

• all the planets

• everything in our solar system

• rotation cycles of the planets

• Object A

• Object B

• Object C

• They all have equal amounts of gravitational pull.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

An object will continue moving in a straight line unless it is acted on by an unbalanced force. Which of the following best explains Earth’s motion?

• There is no unbalanced force acting on Earth because space is empty and nothing touches Earth.

• The gravitational force pulling Earth toward the sun is equal and opposite to the force pulling the sun toward Earth, so there is no unbalanced force acting on Earth.

• The sun moves in an elliptical orbit around Earth, and the sun’s gravity pulls Earth along.

• Earth moves in an elliptical orbit around the sun because the gravitational force of the sun attracts Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

A student writes the following in his notes: This object in space is much bigger than Earth. It is mostly gas and is generally round. It has many moons and is closer than Saturn to Earth. Which of these is the student describing?

• Sun

• Jupiter

• Venus

• Mars

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

• Planet A

• Planet B

• Planet C

• Planet D

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

• Jupiter is closer to the Sun and can move faster than the Earth allowing it to have the ability to gather comets for moons.

• The gas that makes up Jupiter creates a friction in space which causes material to develop near it, making new moons.

• Jupiter is a larger planet than Earth and has a larger gravitational attraction. This causes other objects to orbit it from a greater distance.

• More objects just are attracted to Jupiter because of its rings.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Astronomers track asteroids as they move throughout our solar system. The path of an asteroid is illustrated below. What force is most responsible for the path this asteroid follows?

• Gravitational pull from the Earth

• Newton’s 1st law of motion that says objects want to travel in a straight line

• Centripetal force that governs objects will move in circular patterns

• Gravitational pull from the sun

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

A student was designing a model of the solar system and used a golf ball to represent the Earth. Which two objects could the student use to represent Jupiter and the Moon?

• a baseball as Jupiter and a basketball as the moon

• a grape as Jupiter and a marble as the moon

• a basketball as Jupiter and a marble as the moon

• a beach ball as Jupiter and a soccer ball as the moon

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3