Download Vermillion Middle School Solar System Webquest 8th Grade Earth

Vermillion Middle School
8th Grade Earth Science
Solar System Webquest
Provide answers using a word document. Answers must be in complete sentences using proper grammar and spelling.
Save your document in the Solar System project folder in the 8th Science folder under the appropriate period. Save the
document under your first and last name. Access the following websites and answer the questions under the websites:
Solar System Data
http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/welcome.htm (click on Planet Profiles)
http://sse.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm
Complete the following table for each planet.
Rotation
(Earth Days
or Hours)
Revolution
(Earth Days)
Atmosphere
Description
Planet Type
(Terrestrial or
Gassy)
Number of
Moons
Size
(Diameter)
Distance
from the
Sun
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Using What You Know
Use your data table from above, answer the following questions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
List the planets from smallest to greatest.
Which planet is the fourth largest planet?
Approximately how much larger is Earth than Mars?
What two planets could fit into Jupiter with the least amount of room leftover?
What planet has the longest day? How long?
What planet has a similar day as Earth?
Which planet has a longer day than its year?
On what planet would you celebrate the most birthdays?
On what planet would you celebrate the fewest birthdays?
What planets do not have any known moons?
Your Weight on Other Worlds
http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight/
1. State your weight (or an estimate):
2. Write your weight on each of the following eight planets:
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
3. What factor controls what you weigh on a particular planet?
http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/age/index.html
4. State your age and birth date:
1
5. Write your age on each of the following eight planets:
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
6. What factor controls how old you are on a particular planet?
Asteroids and Comets
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm
http://images.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi
1. Describe the composition of a comet.
2. Where do comets come from?
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/asteroid.htm
1. Describe an asteroid.
2. How many large asteroids are in the solar system and what is the name of the largest?
3. Is the Earth in danger of being “smashed” by an asteroid?
http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/menu/play/
Choose four games that relate to the solar system. Play the game, rate the game, and explain how it relates to
the solar system.
Game Name
Game Rating:1(low)-3(high)
Solar System Relation
1.
2.
3.
4.
2