Download Chapter 30 Section 3

Name
Date
The Solar System
Section 3 The Outer Planets
Skim the headings in Section 3. Write three questions that come to
mind. Accept all reasonable responses.
1. How do the outer planets differ from the inner planets?
2. What features do the outer planets have?
3. What are comets?
Review
Vocabulary Define space probe to show its scientific meaning.
space probe
instrument that is sent to space to gather information
Sedna
unofficial name for object 2003 VB12, a distant planetoid with
a very elliptical orbit
meteoroid
rocky solar system object that often is a piece from a comet or
an asteroid
Saturn
Neptune
dwarf planet
asteroid
382
second-largest planet and sixth from the Sun; has the most
complex system of rings
eighth planet from the Sun; has storms similar to Jupiter’s and
appears blue because of atmospheric methane
nearly round object that orbits the Sun, is not a satellite, and has
not cleared its orbit of debris
rocky solar system object of widely varying size often found
between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter
comet
mass of dust, rock particles, frozen water, methane, and ammonia
that travels through space and develops a bright, distinctive tail
as it approaches the Sun
Uranus
seventh planet from the Sun; appears blue-green because of
atmospheric methane; axis of rotation is tilted on its side
Jupiter
largest and fifth planet from the Sun; has continuous, swirling,
high-pressure gas storms, the largest of which is the Great
Red Spot
The Solar System
Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
New
Vocabulary Write the vocabulary term that matches each definition.
Name
Date
Section 3 The Outer Planets
Why are the
outer planets
so different?
I found this information
on page
.
(continued)
Contrast the main difference between the outer planets and the
inner planets.
The outer planets are giant planets; the inner planets are small,
rocky planets.
FL SE,SE, p. 963 RE, p. 557
Jupiter and
Saturn
I found this information
on page
.
FL SE, SE, pp. 963–965
RE, pp. 557–559
Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
FL RE, pp. 129–131
Uranus and
Neptune
I found this information
on page
.
FL SE, p. 235SE, p. 966
RE, p. 560
Organize information about Jupiter and Saturn in the table.
Accept all reasonable responses.
Feature
Relative
size
Jupiter
Saturn
largest planet
second-largest
planet
Sequence fifth
from Sun
sixth
more than 60; four as
Number
of moons large as some planets
at least 60
Special
features
has largest and most
complex ring system
surrounded by colorful
clouds; notable storm
known as Great
Red Spot
Compare and contrast Uranus and Neptune. Complete the Venn
diagram with at least nine different facts.
Uranus
27 moons
FL RE, p. 132
axis of rotation
tilted on side
planet has
blue-green color
Both
large
planets of
similar size
Neptune
at least
13 moons
rings
atmosphere of
hydrogen, helium,
and methane
few storm
systems
bluer color
than Uranus
The Solar System
383
Name
Date
Section 3 The Outer Planets
List the three things that define dwarf planets.
I found this information
on page
.
1. they are round objects
FL SE, p. 236SE, p. 967
RE, p. 560
FL RE, pp. 132–133
2. they are not satellites of a planet and orbit the Sun
Comets and
Other Objects
I found this information
on page
.
FL SE, p. 236SE, p. 967
RE, p. 561
3. they have not cleared their orbits of debris
Analyze comets, asteroids, meteoroids, and Sedna by
completing the table.
Body
Comet
mass of dust, rock particles, frozen water, methane,
and ammonia that travels through space and
develops a bright, distinctive tail as it approaches
the Sun
Asteroid
rocky solar system object of widely varying size
often found between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter
in an area called the asteroid belt
Meteoroid
rocky solar system object that often is debris from
a comet or asteroid
Sedna
unofficial name for object 2003 VB12, a distant
planetoid with a very elliptical orbit
FL RE, pp. 133–134
CONNECT IT
Description
Describe why scientists are puzzled about how to classify Sedna.
Accept all reasonable responses. Sedna is larger than Kuiper Belt comets but smaller
than a planet.
384
The Solar System
Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Dwarf planets
(continued)