Download Review Questions on the Solar System

Name: _____________________________ Review Questions on the Solar System 1. Which planet is closest to the sun? Mercury
2. Which planet is furthest from the sun? Neptune
3.
Brain Teaser (unit conversion): Knowing that one astronomical unit
is 149,597,870,700 meters, how far is the Earth from the sun in Km? (You
may answer using scientific notation)
149 597 870. 700 Km
4. Which planet recently became a dwarf planet? Pluto
5. Which planets rotate in retrograde? On these planets does sun “rise” in
the East or the West?
Venus, Uranus. The sun rises in the West.
6. Which planet is the 3rd “rock from the sun? Earth
7. The orbital period is defined as the time it takes for a planet to complete
one orbit around the sun.
a. Which planet has the longest orbital period? Neptune
b. Which planet has the shortest orbital period? Mercury
8. What does Earths’ orbital period represent? 1 year
9. Which planet has the most moons? Jupiter
10. True or False: All planets have at least one moon. (If the answer is false,
correct the statement above)
False, Mercury + Venus have no moons.
11. Why is a full day on Earth 24 hours? It takes 23h 56 min for the Earth to
rotate on its axis.
12. Which planet has the longest rotation period? Venus
Name: _____________________________ Review Questions on the Solar System 13. Which planet has the shortest rotation period? Jupiter
14. Use your notes to answer the following questions:
a. At what angle is the axis of the Earth? 23.5°
b. Label the following diagram:
North pole Axis of rotation The equator South Pole c. Why do the Earth’s poles experience colder climates than the
equator?
The equator receives more direct sunlight all year round, whereas
the poles are too far below the Earth’s surface to receive as much
sunlight.