Download Solar System Unit Objectives

Solar System Unit Objectives
List planets in order from the sun, rank their relative sizes, and approx. distances
from the sun in rounded AUs
From a scale model, give the planets distances and sizes in AUs and km
From data giving planet sizes and distances from the sun construct a scale model of
the solar system
Identify unique characteristics of each planet
Identify at least three descriptors of each planet
State why Pluto has been reclassified as a “dwarf planet”
Give the force law for gravity and use it to calculate the force of gravity for a given
two body system
State the cause of the tides on the earth and what their long term effect is on the
earth-moon orbit
Give the period for solar and lunar eclipses and explain the period
Give the cause for the earthly seasons
Describe earth’s motions including wobbling and precession and state their effects
State Kepler’s 3 laws and give the significance of the first two
Describe how to make an ellipse with simple materials
Describe the non-planet constituents of our solar system (asteroids, meteors,
comets, and Kuiper belt) and their approx. relative sizes, and their distances from
the sun in rounded AUs
EC Tutorials: Comparing Sizes, Outer Planets and Density as a Probe
EC Quizzes: Ch.2, 6, 7, 8, +, 9, 10, +