Scale Properties of the Solar System Study Guide

What type of planets are Jupiter and Saturn?

• Terrestrial Planets

• Ice Giants

• Gas Giants

• Dwarf Planets

Large planets that have an atmosphere made of thick gases, but no solid surface are known as 

• Terrestrial planets

• Gas giants

• Dwarf planets

• Ice giants

Why is Pluto no longer considered a planet?

• It is too small.

• It has no atmosphere.

• It orbits the Sun irregularly.

• It is made of ice.

What happens to the gravitational pull of two objects as they get closer to each other?  

• The gravitational pull decreases.

• The gravitational pull remains the same.

• The gravitational pull increases.

• The gravitational pull becomes negligible.

As a planet gets further away from the Sun, what should happen to its surface temperature?

• It should get warmer because of increased solar radiation.

• It should remain the same regardless of distance from the Sun.

• It should get colder because there is less heat from the Sun.

• It should fluctuate wildly due to gravitational effects.

What are the rings of Saturn made of?

• Ice & rock

• Gas & dust

• Liquid metal

• Solid iron

Distances within our solar system are measured in

• Light years

• Kilometers

• Astronomical units

• Parsecs

How are the four planets closest to the Sun more like each other than they are to the outer planets?

• All four planets are dense, relatively small, & have rocky surfaces.

• All four planets are gas giants with thick atmospheres.

• All four planets have extensive ring systems.

• All four planets are primarily composed of ice and water.

Mercury's average surface temperature is 332 degrees F, while Venus' average surface temperature is 867 degrees F. Why is the average surface temperature of Venus hotter than the average surface temperature of Mercury; even though Mercury is the planet closest to the sun?

• Venus has a thick atmosphere that traps heat & acts like a greenhouse.

• Mercury has a very thin atmosphere that allows heat to escape.

• Venus is closer to the sun than Mercury.

• Mercury has more volcanic activity, which increases its temperature.

What holds all the planets in orbit around the sun?

• Magnetism

• Friction

• Gravity

• Inertia

Tags

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NGSS.MS-PS2-4