Structure of the Solar System

How do the inner planets differ from the outer planets?

• The inner planets are smaller and rockier, while the outer planets are larger and gaseous.

• The inner planets are larger and gaseous, while the outer planets are smaller and rockier.

• The inner planets have more moons than the outer planets.

• The inner planets are colder than the outer planets.

How are the inner planets different from the outer planets?

• Inner planets are smaller and rockier, while outer planets are larger and gaseous.

• Inner planets have rings, while outer planets do not.

• Inner planets have more moons than outer planets.

• Inner planets are colder than outer planets.

An astronomical unit is a measure of distance used in astronomy. What does it represent?

• The average distance from the Earth to the Sun

• The distance from the Earth to the Moon

• The distance from the Sun to the nearest star

• The diameter of the Milky Way galaxy

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

The shape of a planet's orbit is:

• Circular

• Elliptical

• Parabolic

• Hyperbolic

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

Analyze data from the chart to select the correct word from each drop down. Objects are listed in order of distance from the Sun.

As the mass of each object increases, the diameter of the object generally ​ (a)   (increases/decreases). The ​ (b)   (farther from, ​ closer to ) the Sun an object gets, the shorter the planet’s years are. Length of day ​ (c)   (is, is not) related to the length of the year.

• increases

• decreases

• closer to

• farther from

• is not

• is

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

The main asteroid belt is located between ​ ​ (a)   and ​ (b)   .

• Mars

• Jupiter

• Earth

• Saturn

Tags

6.11A

One similarity between asteroids, comets and meteoroids is that they all: (a)  

• are made of rock

• come from the Asteroid Belt

• come from the Oort Cloud

• orbit the sun

Match the following

• our galaxy

• orbit

• a circular path around an object

• Sun (Sol)

• outer boundary of our solar system

• Oort cloud

• the star at the center of our solar system

• Milky Way

• area where many comets are formed

• DeKuyper belt

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

What is an asteroid?

• A small rocky body orbiting the sun

• A type of star

• A kind of planet

• A comet

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

A planet is a celestial body that:

• orbits a star and has cleared its orbit of other debris.

• is larger than a star and emits its own light.

• is made entirely of gas and has no solid surface.

• orbits a moon and is smaller than an asteroid.