Download Solar System worksheet

SKWIRK Brainiacs!
Unit
Topic
Chapter
STAGE 4
Science
1. History of Science
2. Important Discoveries of Human Civilisation
1. Physics and Astronomy
The Solar System
The Milky Way is the galaxy (collection of stars) in which our solar system lives in. A solar
system is a collection of planetary bodies that orbit (circle) a star. Below we will have a
look more closely at our solar system. The planetary bodies below are listed from closest
to the sun to furthest away.
Instruction: Read through the passage below and answer the questions below. Have a
Go!
[Taken from http://www.solarsystemdrive.com/neptune.html]
The Sun
The ‘Sun’ is the star in our solars system. It is one of many millions in the Milky Way but is
special to us as it is the centre of our solar system. The energy from the sun is what allows
life to grow on Earth.
Average Temperature: 15,000,000°C
SIZE (radius): 696, 000 km
Mercury
This is the first planet away from the sun. It has no atmosphere as it is so close to the sun
and any gases would be blown away from solar winds.
Temperature: - 400°C to 800°C
Hours in a Day: 4222
SIZE (radius): 2,440km
Number of Moons: 0
Venus
This is the only planet that rotates in a clockwise direction. Venus atmosphere is so thick
with cloud it was only in the last 50 years that scientist have been able to catch glimpses of
the surface which is covered in volcanoes.
© 2010-2011 SKWIRK / Red Apple Education Pty Ltd
SKWIRK Brainiacs!
STAGE 4
Science
Average Temperature: 900°C
Hours in a Day: 2802
SIZE (radius): 6,051km
Number of Moons: 0
Earth
This is the planet on which we live and due to the distance from the sun it is the only
planet in our solar system that can sustain life.
Temperature: -50°C to 60°C
Hours in a Day: 24
SIZE (radius): 6,371km
Number of Moons: 1
Mars
This planet is exciting for scientists as it is the closest and easiest to explore. There is some
water on mars but it is confided only to the cols ice caps. There has also been evidence that
bacteria once lived on mars, meaning it once could have supported life.
Temperature: -100°C to 40°C
Hours in a Day: 25
SIZE (radius): 3,390km
Number of Moons: 2
The Asteroid Belt
In between Mars and Jupiter is a large amount of rock floating in orbit. It is kept there by
the gravity of the sun and is thought to be the left over rock from the formation of a solar
system. Some scientists even think that it could possibly be the remains of another planet
that broke apart in the creation of our solar system.
Jupiter
This is a planet of constant storms and when we look closer at Jupiter we can see a giant
spot, this spot is actually a storm that has been raging for thousands of years. It is also a
gas giant which means that is does not have a solid surface, but under the storms is a large
ocean of liquid hydrogen and water.
Average Temperature: -150°C
Hours in a Day: 10
SIZE (radius): 69,911km
Number of Moons: 62
Saturn
Saturn is also gas giant with a gas atmosphere that eventually turns into liquid made
mainly of hydrogen and helium. Saturn is most well known for the beautiful rings (there
are seven in total) that are made up of ice and dust.
© 2010-2011 SKWIRK / Red Apple Education Pty Ltd
SKWIRK Brainiacs!
STAGE 4
Science
Average Temperature: -190°C
Hours in a Day: 10.5
SIZE (radius): 58,232 km
Number of Moons: 33
Uranus
This is a gas giant that actually spins in its orbit on its side. It is thought that the surface of
this planet is so cold that it is made of rock and ice.
Average Temperature: -180°C
Hours in a Day: 17
SIZE (radius): 25,362km
Number of Moons: 27
Neptune
This is the smallest of the gas giant planets as was not confirmed to even exist until 1989
when the space craft ‘Voyager’ passed by it and sent photos back to Earth. Neptune like
Jupiter has many storms but it has the strongest winds on any planet which can reach up
to 2,000km per hour.
Average Temperature: -180°C
Hours in a Day: 16
SIZE (radius): 24,622km
Number of Moons: 13
Pluto
There has been much debate on if Pluto is a planet or not; this is due to its small size.
There are 7 moons in our solar system that are in fact bigger than Pluto. It is now classified
as a dwarf plant.
Average Temperature: -240°C
Hours in a Day: 153
SIZE (radius): 1,153km
Number of Moons: 3
List the planets in order of size (Biggest to smallest):
List the planets from shortest day length to longest:
© 2010-2011 SKWIRK / Red Apple Education Pty Ltd
SKWIRK Brainiacs!
STAGE 4
Science
What is the star in our solar system?
What is the 6th planet from the sun?
What is the third planet from the sun?
Which planet has the most moons and how many are there?
What is thought that asteroid belt originally was, and what happened to what it
was?
My Learning points – 3 Points
© 2010-2011 SKWIRK / Red Apple Education Pty Ltd