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Standard #: SC.8.E.5.7
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Compare and contrast the properties of objects in the Solar System including the Sun, planets,
and moons to those of Earth, such as gravitational force, distance from the Sun, speed,
movement, temperature, and atmospheric conditions.
Subject Area: Science
Grade: 8
Body of Knowledge: Earth and Space Science
Big Idea: Earth in Space and Time - The origin and eventual fate of the Universe still remains
one of the greatest questions in science. Gravity and energy influence the formation of galaxies,
including our own Milky Way Galaxy, stars, the planetary systems, and Earth. Humankind’s
need to explore continues to lead to the development of knowledge and understanding of the
nature of the Universe.
Date Adopted or Revised: 02/08
Content Complexity Rating: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts - More
Information
Date of Last Rating: 05/08
Status: State Board Approved
Assessed: Yes
TEST ITEM SPECIFICATIONS
Reporting Category: Earth and Space Science
Item Type(s): This benchmark will be assessed using: MC item(s) Also Assesses
SC.8.E.5.4 Explore the Law of Universal Gravitation by explaining the role that gravity
plays in the formation of planets, stars, and solar systems and in determining their
motions.
SC.8.E.5.8 Compare various historical models of the Solar System, including geocentric
and heliocentric.
Clarification :
Students will compare and/or contrast the characteristics of objects in the Solar System.
Students will identify and/or explain the role that gravity plays in the formation and
motion of planets, stars, and solar systems.
Students will compare and/or contrast various historical models of the Solar System.
Content Limits :
Items will not require the use of the formula for the Law of Universal Gravitation or the
gravitational constant.
Items may assess the presence, absence, and/or relative thickness of planetary
atmospheres, but not the chemical composition of the atmosphere.
Items may assess the relationship between distance from the Sun and the length of year
and/or the relationship between distance from the Sun and average surface temperature.
Items will not require memorization of quantitative astronomical data.
Items may refer to but will not assess the relative size of the Sun.
Items will not assess the relative distance of objects in our solar system from the Sun.
Items will not assess the change in velocity dependent upon distance from the Sun for a
single planet.
Items will not assess characteristics of the Sun in isolation.
Items may assess the concept of eccentricity of orbital paths of astronomical bodies in
terms of the differing shapes of orbits, but not specific values of eccentricity or the term
eccentricity.
Items may assess the general properties of specific planets, but will not assess
characteristics of inner and outer planets as groups.
Stimulus Attributes :
Distances will be given in units of astronomical units (AU) or light-years.
Response Attributes :
Distances will be given in units of astronomical units (AU) or light-years.
Prior Knowledge :
Items may require the student to apply science knowledge described in the NGSSS from
lower grades. This benchmark requires prerequisite knowledge from SC.3.E.5.4,
SC.5.E.5.2, and SC.5.E.5.3.
SAMPLE TEST ITEMS (1)
Test
Item #
Sample
Item 1
Question
Difficulty Type
The surface of Mercury has many more craters than the
N/A
surface of Earth has. Which of the following statements best
explains why Mercury has many more craters than Earth has?
MC:
Multiple
Choice
Related Courses
Course Number
7820017:
2002085:
7920035:
2001025:
2002100:
2002110:
2001010:
2001020:
Course Title
Access M/J Comprehensive Science 3 (Specifically in versions:
2014 - 2015, 2015 and beyond (current))
M/J Comprehensive Science 2 Accelerated Advanced
(Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 and beyond
(current))
Fundamental Integrated Science 2 (Specifically in versions:
2013 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated))
M/J STEM Astronomy and Space Science (Specifically in
versions: 2015 and beyond (current))
M/J Comprehensive Science 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 2015, 2015 and beyond (current))
M/J Comprehensive Science 3, Advanced (Specifically in
versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 and beyond (current))
M/J Earth/Space Science (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015,
2015 and beyond (current))
M/J Earth/Space Science, Advanced (Specifically in versions:
2014 - 2015, 2015 and beyond (current))
Related Access Points
Independent
Access Point Number
SC.8.E.5.In.7
Access Point Title
Compare conditions on other planets in the Solar System to
those on Earth, such as gravity, temperature, and atmosphere.
Supported
Access Point Number
Access Point Title
SC.8.E.5.Su.6
Recognize that conditions on other planets in the Solar System
are different than those on Earth.
Participatory
Access Point Number
SC.8.E.5.Pa.2
Access Point Title
Recognize the Sun and stars as objects in space.
Related Resources
Text Resource
Name
A Close Call
A Creative Collision
Amazing Moons
Failed "Star" Found in Sun's
Backyard
Description
This informational text resource is intended to support reading
in the content area. On November 8, 2011, an asteroid flew by
Earth at a distance closer to us than our moon. Scientists have
known about the close call for years and were excited about the
opportunity to view an asteroid and look for chemical evidence
of the young solar system. Scientists are still watching tens of
thousands of asteroids that potentially threaten Earth, and
contingency plans exist should one of them threaten us.
This informational text resource is intended to support reading
in the content area. The theory that a planet, Theia, collided
with the Earth billions of years ago to form our moon has been
around for years, but not much evidence has supported it until
now. Recently, scientists found isotopes of oxygen in moon
rocks that are consistent with both the moon and a non-Earth
planet…Theia? In addition, the rocks contain rare elements not
found on Earth, which supports the collision theory.
This informational text resource is designed to support reading
in the content area. This article from NASA addresses how our
solar system’s moons may be a more interesting study than
some of the planets because they show a possibility of harboring
life due to their composition, atmospheres and presence of
water.
This informational text resource is intended to support reading
in the content area. A brown dwarf, which is essentially a failed
star, has been discovered close to our solar system. The brown
dwarf is the coldest and one of the smallest yet discovered.
Telescopic images and data helped scientists to find and
characterize the failed star.
This informational text resource is intended to support reading
in the content area. Most studies of Jupiter's Great Red Spot (a
storm) predict that it should have disappeared long ago, and so
Jupiter's Long- Lasting Storm its continued existence puzzles scientists. A new study that
considers the vertical winds within the storm is able to explain
why the spot has existed for over 200 years, and could even
continue for hundreds of years longer.
This website provides an overview of objects in the solar
system. The user can click on different links to learn about
The Solar System
objects such as the inner and outer planets and minor bodies. It
also includes a link to explorations and activities. This is the online version of the printed "StarDate: the solar system" guide.
This informational text resource is intended to support reading
in the content area. The text explains why the planet Mercury
Tiny Planet Mercury Shrinks has actually been shrinking in diameter, as well as how
Further
scientists have proved it through observation. The article details
their observations and then compares Mercury to Earth to show
why our planet is not shrinking as well.
This informational text resource is intended to support reading
When is a Comet Not a
in the content area. The discovery of a comet-like asteroid
Comet?
baffles scientists and poses questions about its formation, makeup, and changing appearance.
This Frequently Asked Question page can be used by educators
and students as a scientific resource to answer the question,
Why Isn't Pluto A Planet?
"Why isn't Pluto a planet?". From the International
Astronomical Union, the definitive answer from the governing
body that classified Pluto as a dwarf planet.
Video/Audio/Animation
Name
AtmosModeler Simulator
Description
 Illustrate the change in temperature and pressure of the
atmosphere with altitude
 Show the difference in temperature and pressure of the
Earth's atmosphere versus the Martian atmosphere for
the same altitude
Distances Between the Planets This animation simulates a voyage from the sun past all nine
Animation
planets. For convenience, the planets are lined up in the same
Jupiter: Earth's Shield
Science Crossword Puzzles
Space School Musical
What is a Planet?
direction. The animation shows each planet's average distance
from the sun.
More than 155 planets have been found outside of our solar
system since the first extra-solar planet was identified in 1995.
The search has long been heavily biased towards finding
massive planets with short orbits. Now, to find an Earth-like
planet, scientists are looking for a planetary setup that is similar
to our own, in which a Jupiter-like planet lies a good distance
away from its sun. This video segment adapted from NOVA
explores how the arrangement of planets in our solar system
may have affected the development of life on Earth.
A collection of crossword puzzles that test the knowledge of
students about some of the terms, processes, and classifications
covered in science topics
Join teenager Hannah on a trip through the solar system in this
"hip-hopera" that uses song and dance to introduce the planets,
moons, asteroids and more. Download the lyrics for students to
learn and perform or just play the videos in class.
This video provides a historical background about the definition
of a planet and how different objects discovered in space were
classified as planets or fir into a different category
Lesson Plan
Name
Description
In this interdisciplinary lesson, students will explore data
collection by using a catapult to launch projectiles and perform
Catapulting Data Grade 8
statistical analysis of the data. Students will create scatterplots
for analysis that will help demonstrate the scientific concept of
density and its impact on the characteristics of objects.
Students listen to a video that describes Kepler's determination
that planetary orbits are elliptical and then will use data for the
Discovering Kepler's Law for
solar distance and periods of several of the planets in the solar
the Periods of Planets
system, then investigate several hypotheses to determine which
is supported by the data.
This lesson allows students to model and compare the distance
Lesson 2 Voyage of
of planets from the Sun, as well as, compare the relative sizes of
Discovery
the planets using everyday items.
Using a pinhole viewer students will look at a reflected image of
the Sun to calculate how far the Sun is from Earth. This activity
would be used for enrichment or for advanced students. This
Lesson 3 How Far is Far?
lesson requires pre-planning for the teacher to practice making
and using the viewers. Simple math calculations are required by
the students to complete the assignment.
This lesson incorporates Florida Standard elements while
teaching the characteristics of Venus and the importance of the
Sun to our existence.
In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text that
explains the importance of examining moons in our solar system
for signs of life. The text provides evidence on several moons of
Saturn and Jupiter and explains how these moons might be good
Moons: Searching for Signs of candidates for potentially harboring life, in part due to the
Life on 'Water Worlds'
presence of water. This lesson is designed to support reading in
the content area. The lesson plan includes a graphic organizer,
text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a
writing rubric. Numerous options to extend the lesson are also
included.
In this lesson, students will:
Margot's Venus

Planetary Temperature


Explore the effect of light and heat as the distance
increases from the source.
Model the effect the sun has on the temperature of the
planets based on their distances.
Explore the impact that a model greenhouse atmosphere
will have on the simulated inner three planets.
In this lesson, students will:



Planetary Thermometers


Quest For Life: Space
Exploration
Model the effect the sun has on the temperature of the
planets based on their distances.
Use data to explore the effect of light and heat as the
distance increases from the source
Use data to explore the impact that a model greenhouse
atmosphere will have on the simulated inner three
planets.
Use data to explore linear and/or nonlinear models based
on the temperatures of planets relative to their distance
from the Sun and their atmospheric conditions.
Relate slope of lines within the context to model the
concept of temperature equilibrium.
This lesson should be completed with the MyStemKits.com
Planetary Temperatures Kit.
Students must decide the destination of a multi-billion dollar
space flight to an unexplored world. The location must be
selected based on its potential for valuable research
opportunities. Some locations may have life, while others could
hold the answers to global warming or our energy crisis.
Students must choose the destination that they feel will be most
helpful to human-kind.
Students will act as mathematicians and scientists as they use
models, observations and space science concepts to perform
calculations and draw inferences regarding a fictional solar
Scientific calculations from a
system with three planets in circular orbits around a sun. Among
distant planet
the calculations are estimates of the size of the home planet
(using a method more than 2000 years old) and the relative
distances of the planets from their sun.
Students rank locations that NASA should search within our
solar system for life. Students begin by reading about the origins
of life on Earth and locations within our solar system with the
potential for life. After students create a ranked list, they must
Search for Extraterrestrial Life report their findings to NASA in the form of a letter that also
includes the procedure used in ranking their choices. A second
request is sent from NASA to include distance from Earth as a
factor in the ranking of locations and students must return a
letter with their revised rankings and the new procedure used.
In this POE-based lesson, students will explore the relationships
What's Up With Venus?
between several variables for the inner-terrestrial planets in our
solar system.
Virtual Manipulative
Name
Description
In this simulation, students will learn the orbits of the Earth and
Gravity and Orbits Simulation moon as well as gravitational forces. This is a good illustration
of the gravitational pull causing tides.
This virtual manipulative allows users to see the revolutions of
Mars Earth Orbit - Actual
Earth and Mars relative to the sun. Users can track the distance
between both, and put each or both in orbit.
This resource provides an interactive tool for the exploration of
the solar system. To navigate the interactive solar system move
the mouse to hover the target over different objects, to learn
Solar System Exploration
more about each click to access images, information about
scientists, homework help, articles, news, missions, time lines,
and important facts.
Using this online calculator, students enter their weight on
Your Weight on Other Worlds
Earth. Their "weight" on other planets is calculated.
Unit/Lesson Sequence
Name
Description
Lesson 1 Our Solar System
This complete lesson culminates by having the students create a
solar system catalog. It goes beyond the typical solar system
brochure to include other components of our solar system.
Teaching Idea
Name
Phoenix Mars Lander
Description
A lesson from Nova/PBS that describes the landing of the
Phoenix Mars Lander, its purpose, function, and initial findings.
The lesson plan provides two ways for students to investigate
how the lander would collect data from the surface and the
benefits and limitations of different types of space probes to do
before watching the video. It provides a 12 minute video to
show the Phoenix Mars Lander. Lesson also provides ideas for
what students can do after they view the video. Extensions to
lesson include pictures of surface of Mars, interview with a
scientist and a commentary from Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Tutorial
Name
Description
This website contains numerous interesting facts, images and
Properties of the Solar System activities intended to support greater understanding of properties
of our solar system.
Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea
Name
Solar System Distances
Description
Does the concept of relative distance register with you? Try this
solar system activity.
Student Resources
Name
Description
This animation simulates a voyage from the sun past all nine planets.
Distances Between the
For convenience, the planets are lined up in the same direction. The
Planets Animation
animation shows each planet's average distance from the sun.
More than 155 planets have been found outside of our solar system
since the first extra-solar planet was identified in 1995. The search has
Jupiter: Earth's Shield long been heavily biased towards finding massive planets with short
orbits. Now, to find an Earth-like planet, scientists are looking for a
planetary setup that is similar to our own, in which a Jupiter-like planet
lies a good distance away from its sun. This video segment adapted
from NOVA explores how the arrangement of planets in our solar
system may have affected the development of life on Earth.
This virtual manipulative allows users to see the revolutions of Earth
Mars Earth Orbit and Mars relative to the sun. Users can track the distance between both,
Actual
and put each or both in orbit.
This website contains numerous interesting facts, images and activities
Properties of the Solar
intended to support greater understanding of properties of our solar
System
system.
A collection of crossword puzzles that test the knowledge of students
Science Crossword
about some of the terms, processes, and classifications covered in
Puzzles
science topics
This resource provides an interactive tool for the exploration of the
solar system. To navigate the interactive solar system move the mouse
Solar System
to hover the target over different objects, to learn more about each click
Exploration
to access images, information about scientists, homework help, articles,
news, missions, time lines, and important facts.
Join teenager Hannah on a trip through the solar system in this "hiphopera" that uses song and dance to introduce the planets, moons,
Space School Musical
asteroids and more. Download the lyrics for students to learn and
perform or just play the videos in class.
This video provides a historical background about the definition of a
What is a Planet?
planet and how different objects discovered in space were classified as
planets or fir into a different category
This Frequently Asked Question page can be used by educators and
Why Isn't Pluto A
students as a scientific resource to answer the question, "Why isn't Pluto
Planet?
a planet?". From the International Astronomical Union, the definitive
answer from the governing body that classified Pluto as a dwarf planet.
Parent Resources
Name
Solar System
Distances
Description
Does the concept of relative distance register with you? Try this solar
system activity.