Download Solar System Study Guide

Solar System Study Guide
GLE 0607.6.2 Describe the relative distance of objects in the solar system from earth.
Choose which statement is correct:
A. There are 8 planets
B. There are 9 planets
List the planets in order from the sun:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9 (?).
What happens to the distance between the planets as you get farther out from the sun?
Which of these are true for inner (terrestrial) planets and which are true of outer (gas) planets? Which
are false in general?
A. They are made of lighter elements.
B. They are extremely large
C. They are spaced more closely together.
D. They do not have any moons.
Where does the asteroid belt fall in the solar system? Which planets does it separate?
Explain how a blue star’s habitable zone would be different than a yellow star like our sun. Which
statement below accurately describes the differences between the two stars?
List characteristics of a habitable planet.
The average distance between the sun and Earth is 1 __________.
A. AU (Astronomical Unit)
C. light month
B. Light minute
D. light year
A student sees the moon and says, “The moon looks larger than the stars.” Explain why the student
makes this observation.
What is the difference between a planet’s period of rotation and period of revolution?
The data table below shows the average distance of four planets from the Sun and the approximate time
it takes those planets to orbit the Sun. Use the table to answer questions 10-11.
Which statement is best supported by the data in the table?
A. Venus takes less time to orbit the Sun than Mercury does.
B. Mars takes less time to orbit the Sun than Earth does.
C. Mars takes more time to orbit the Sun than Earth does.
D. Venus takes more time to orbit the Sun than Mars does.
Why does Mercury have the shortest amount of time to orbit the Sun?
The table lists some characteristics of objects
in our solar system. Scientists observe an
object with a diameter of 950 km in an orbit
around the sun. What is this object most
likely to be?
Why does Venus appear very bright in the night sky?
Which tool is most useful to observe the moons of Jupiter to help record their motion?
A. Microscope
C. Balance
B. Telescope
D. Binoculars
1. The table describes the orbits of
three objects in the solar system.
What is each object most likely
described as?
1.
2.
3.
The table lists data about four objects in the solar
system. Based on the data in the table, which object is
most likely a moon? How do you know this?
The table below shows data about the planets that orbit
the sun. What conclusion is supported by these
data?
A. Earth is farther from the sun than
Mars
B. Mars has the greatest diameter
C. Mercury is hotter than Venus
D. Neptune has the longest orbit
A teacher describes an object in space as a
natural satellite that revolves around a planet.
What is the teacher describing?
The table shows the characteristics of an
object in the solar system. According to the
table, which body is most likely being
described?
The diameter of Jupiter is about 21 times greater than the diameter of Mars. A student observing Jupiter
and Mars notices they appear similar in size when viewed from Earth. Why do Jupiter and Mars appear
similar in size?
Four components of the universe are
described in the table. What is each
component describing?
1.
2.
3.
4.
GLE 0607.6.3 Explain how the positional relationships among the earth, moon, and sun control the length of the day, lunar
cycle, and year.
How long does it take the Earth to rotate once on it’s axis?
How long does it take the Earth to revolve once around the sun?
Approximately how often would you see a full moon?
Which motion of a solar system body takes the least amount of time?
A. Earth completing one rotation on its axis
B. Earth completing one revolution around the sun
C. The moon completing one revolution around Earth
D. A comet completing one orbit around the sun
Draw a sketch of the solar system including the sun.