Formation of the Solar System Quiz

According to the Nebular Hypothesis, about how many years ago did our solar system form?

• 4.6 billion years ago

• 1 million years ago

• 13.8 billion years ago

• 500 million years ago

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-6

Why is the Nebular Hypothesis important in understanding our solar system?

• It explains the orderly arrangement of planets and other celestial bodies

• It describes the movement of tectonic plates

• It predicts the end of the universe

• It explains the formation of mountains on Earth

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The Nebular Hypothesis was proposed in which century?

• 18th century

• 20th century

• 15th century

• 21st century

What happens to a nebula as it collapses, according to the conservation of angular momentum?

• It spins faster and flattens into a protoplanetary disk

• It stops moving and becomes a solid sphere

• It expands and cools down

• It breaks apart into smaller clouds

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

What happens to planetesimals as they continue to collide and merge?

• They form protoplanets, which eventually become planets and moons.

• They break apart into smaller particles.

• They turn into stars.

• They disappear from the disk.

A planet is observed to have a dense core and a lighter outer layer. Using your understanding of planetary differentiation, what can you infer about the planet’s formation?

• The planet underwent differentiation, causing heavier elements to sink and lighter ones to rise.

• The planet formed entirely from light elements.

• The planet has not changed since its formation.

• The planet’s layers were formed by volcanic eruptions only.

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Which of the following planets is considered an inner planet?

• Jupiter

• Uranus

• Mars

• Neptune

Compare the composition of inner and outer planets and explain how their distance from the Sun influenced their formation.

• Inner planets are made of lighter materials because they are farther from the Sun; outer planets are made of rock and metal because they are closer.

• Inner planets are made of rock and metal due to higher temperatures near the Sun; outer planets are made of lighter materials like hydrogen and helium due to cooler temperatures farther from the Sun.

• Both inner and outer planets are made of the same materials regardless of their distance from the Sun.

• Outer planets are made of rock and metal due to higher temperatures near the Sun; inner planets are made of lighter materials due to cooler temperatures.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Which of the following best describes how moons are formed?

• From leftover planetesimals or from collisions

• From the evaporation of water

• From the explosion of stars

• From the fusion of gases

How does the composition and age of meteorites provide evidence for the Nebular Hypothesis?

• They show that meteorites formed at the same time as the solar system

• They prove that planets are made of cheese

• They indicate that the universe is shrinking

• They show that stars are made of water

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-6