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Throughout history, several different models of the solar system have been proposed. One such model is shown below. According to a heliocentric model of the solar system, what should be located at position Q where indicated on the diagram?

• The Sun

• The Earth

• Jupiter

• The Moon

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Comets are astronomical bodies, made up of ice and dust, which orbit the Sun. During its elliptical orbit, a comet’s distance from the Sun varies. As a comet nears the Sun, what happens to the speed of its orbit?

• The speed decreases due to the gravitational pull of the Sun.

• The speed decreases due to an increase in orbit size.

• The speed increases due to the gravitational pull of the Sun.

• The speed increases due to a decrease in orbit size.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

While using his new telescope, Akeem finds and observes two objects in the night sky. He uses an app. on his cell phone which indicates that one object is a planet and the other is a comet. How are comets different from planets?

• Comets will develop a tail as they move closer to the Sun, while planets will maintain the same appearance.

• Comets will always be in the same place each night, while a planet will move across the sky.

• Comets are not part of the solar system, while planets stay in orbit within the solar system.

• Comets are gaseous balls of fire, while planets can be either gaseous or terrestrial.

Although Venus is almost twice as far from the Sun as Mercury, its surface temperature is much hotter. Which of the following is the best explanation for Venus’ high temperature?

• Venus does not have water, but Mercury does.

• Venus has a solid surface and Mercury does not.

• Venus rotates much faster as compared to Mercury.

• Venus has an atmosphere thick with greenhouse gasses and Mercury does not.

The surface of Mercury has many more craters than the surface of Earth has. Which of the following statements best explains why Mercury has many more craters than Earth has?

• Mercury rotates faster than Earth does.

• Mercury has a smaller mass than Earth has.

• Mercury is much closer to the Sun than Earth is.

• Mercury has a thinner atmosphere than Earth has.

The Kuiper Belt is a region beyond Neptune that is 55 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun. It contains smaller bodies that scientists think are pieces left over from the formation of the Solar System. Which of the following best states how scientists know that the Kuiper Belt is part of our solar system?

• Objects within the Kuiper Belt orbit the Sun.

• Objects in the Kuiper Belt are located beyond Neptune.

• Objects within the Kuiper Belt are larger than Mercury.

• Objects in the Kuiper Belt are still visible with a telescope.

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Which of the following aspects of the solar system contributes most to the motion of the planets

• Friction with the atmosphere

• Magnetic field around the planets

• Gravitational attraction of the Sun

• Radiation from nearby stars

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Which of the following best describes the formation of the solar system?

• The Sun ejected rocky material, which later went on to form the planets.

• A rotating disk of gas and dust was drawn together by the force of gravity.

• One very large planetary body broke apart into several smaller planets.

• Several stars of different masses cooled and formed the planets and the Sun.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

If the Sun remained in place but no longer exerted a gravitational pull on Earth, what would be the resulting motion of Earth?

• Earth would rotate at the same speed, but in the opposite direction.

• Earth would continue in the same orbit around the Sun, at the same speed.

• Earth would stop orbiting the Sun and begin moving in a straight line.

• Earth would continue in the same orbit around the Sun, but begin to slow down.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Gravity is a force of attraction between two or more masses. The gravitational attraction between the Sun and each of the planets is responsible for which of the following?

• The amount of sunlight reaching the planets

• The presence or absence of water on the planets.

• The number of planets that can orbit the Sun.

• The orbital motions of the planets around the Sun.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4