Describe the Physical Properties, Locations, and Movements of the Sun, Planets, Moons, Meteors, Asteroids, and Comets

How are comets different from asteroids and meteors?

• Comets are made of ice and dust, while asteroids and meteors are mostly rock

• Comets can have tails

• Comets typically have very elliptical orbits

• All of the above

Which of the following is a wide region of small, rocky bodies that is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter?

• The Kuiper belt

• The Oort Cloud

• The Asteroid belt

• The rings of Saturn

Which are made primarily of small pieces of rock or iron that are traveling through space?

• Craters

• Comets

• Planetesimals

• Meteoroids

Which question could you ask to determine if an object is a comet?

• Is it composed of Iron and nickel?

• Is it composed of rock and magma.?

• Is it composed of oxygen and plasma?

• Is it composed of dust and ice?

The model below was created by a student in Earth science class to show gravity and inertia working together to create an orbit path. The model illustrates that the Sun is the largest object in the Solar System, and the planets and other objects in the Solar System all revolve around the sun. Which of the following best explains how this model would need to be revised if the sun did not exist?

• The planets would start crashing into each other because the forward motion of inertia would pull them toward each other

• The planets would start crashing into each other because without the sun gravity would pull all of the planets together

• The planets would float off into space because the gravitational force of the sun would no longer be there.

• The planets would float off into space because without the sun inertia would cease to exist and the planets would stop moving forward

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Gravity and inertia keep the planets in orbit. What would happen if we did not have inertia?

• The Earth would continue in a straight line out in space.

• The Earth would stay still, in its current place.

• The Earth would be pulled into the Sun.

• The Earth would become part of the Oort Cloud.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

The model below illustrates that the Sun's gravity holds each planet in its orbit. Neptune is farther away from the Sun than is Earth. Students in an Earth science class were asked to revise the model to include an explanation of how the effect of the Sun's gravity on Neptune compares with the effect of the Sun's gravity on Earth. Four student’s explanations are presented below. Which student’s explanation is best?

• Student 1: The Sun has less gravitational pull on Earth because it is closer.

• Student 2: The Sun has less gravitational pull on Neptune because it is bigger.

• Student 3: The Sun has the same gravitational pull on all planets that are in orbit.

• Student 4: The Sun has less gravitational pull on Neptune because it is farther away.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Using a string, a ball, and a hollow tube for a handle, Julie makes a model as shown in the image to the right. Holding the center of the handle, she swings the ball in a circle to show how Earth orbits the sun. She knows that the orbit of Earth depends upon the gravitational pull. Which component of Julie’s model illustrates the effect of gravity?

• the ball

• the string

• the rotation direction

• the handle

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Scientists observe a planet in a distant galaxy. This planet appears to have similar features to Earth. Which feature would the scientists be most interested in, if they were looking for life on this planet?

• thick atmosphere

• liquid water

• active volcanoes

• long day length

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Which is true about the density of Jupiter compared to the density of Earth?

• Jupiter is denser than Earth because it is made of gas.

• Jupiter is denser than Earth because it is made of rock.

• Jupiter is less dense than Earth because it is made of gas.

• Jupiter is less dense than Earth because it is made of rock.