Download d = days y = years AU = astronomical unit Grade 6 Standard 3

Name___________________________
Grade 6
Standard 3: Students will understand the relationship and attributes of
objects in the solar system.
Objective 1: Describe and compare the components of the solar system.
Use the following chart to answer questions 1 – 5.
Mercury Venus Earth
Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune
Mass
.05
.8
1.0
.1
317
95
14
17
(Earth = 1)
Surface
Gravity
(Earth = 1)
Number of
Satellites
Average
Distance
From the
Sun
Average
Orbital
Velocity
(Kilometers
per second)
Length of
Year
(period of
orbit)
.3
.9
1.0
0.3
2.5
1.0
0.9
1.1
0
0
1
2
63
46
27
12
.3AU
.7AU
1.0AU
1.5AU
5.2AU
9.5AU
19AU
30AU
47.8
35
29.8
24.1
13
9.6
6.8
5.4
87.9d
224d
365.25d
1.8y
11.8y
29.4y
84y
167.7y
d = days
y = years
AU = astronomical unit
1. According to the chart, on which planet would a 60 pound boy weigh the most?
A. Saturn
B. Jupiter
C. Earth
D. Neptune
CDASTM—G6 S3 O1
A joint project between Park City SD, Murray SD, and Life Long Learning & Associates. All rights reserved. 5-2009
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2. According to the chart, describe a relationship between the mass of Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn
and the number of known satellites.
A. the lower the mass, the greater the number of satellites
B. scientists are still trying to determine if there is a relationship
C. there is no relationship between mass and the number of satellites
D. the greater the mass, the greater the number of satellites
3. According to the chart, what would be a logical conclusion?
A. the closer a planet is to the Sun, the faster it orbits around the Sun
B. the closer a planet is to the Sun, the slower its orbital velocity
C. the father a planet is from the Sun, the faster it orbits around the Sun
D. distance has no affect on a planet’s orbital velocity
4. Which planet travels approximately twice as fast as Mars?
A. Uranus
B. Earth
C. Venus
D. Mercury
5. What can you conclude from the data in the chart?
A. the farther a planet is from the sun, the faster it orbits
B. Saturn is three times the distance from the sun as Jupiter
C. the farther a planet is from the sun, the slower it orbits
D. Earth is two times the distance from the sun as Mercury
6. What is the correct order of the four planets closest to the sun?
A. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
B. Venus, Earth, Mars, Mercury
C. Earth, Mars, Mercury, Venus
D. Mars, Mercury, Venus, Earth
7. The surfaces of planet Mercury and our moon contain some very large craters. These craters
are most likely the result of…
A. giant lava flows
B. asteroid impacts
C. nuclear explosions
D. large collapsed caves
CDASTM—G6 S3 O1
A joint project between Park City SD, Murray SD, and Life Long Learning & Associates. All rights reserved. 5-2009
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8. The clouds that surround Venus are so thick that the planet actually absorbs less sunlight than
the Earth. Nevertheless, Venus has a surface temperature of more than 400°C. Which of these
best explains this high surface temperature?
A. The bright surfaces of the clouds reflect sunlight back on the planet.
B. The strong winds in the atmosphere produce friction.
C. The thick clouds in the atmosphere prevent heat from escaping.
D. The sulfuric acid in the clouds releases heat energy.
9. To which group or category does Earth belong?
A. the outer planets
B. the inner planets
C. the gas giants
D. the middle planets
10. How do the inner planets differ from the outer planets?
A. they are made of lighter elements
B. they do not have moons
C. they are extremely large
D. they are spaced more closely together
11. What is one factor that makes life possible on Earth?
A. the greenhouse effect
B. liquid water on its surface
C. no surface gravity
D. irregular planetary orbit
12. Why do planets with atmospheres have fewer impact craters?
A. the air slows and burns objects
B. fewer objects orbit near these planets
C. most impacts occur in remote areas
D. many objects land in the ocean
CDASTM—G6 S3 O1
A joint project between Park City SD, Murray SD, and Life Long Learning & Associates. All rights reserved. 5-2009
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Use the following diagram to answer question 13.
13. What does this diagram represent?
A. orbit of an asteroid
B. orbit of a meteor
C. orbit of a moon
D. orbit of a comet
14. Which object burns up in Earth’s atmosphere and is called a shooting star?
A. comet
B. asteroid
C. meteor
D. satellite
CDASTM—G6 S3 O1
A joint project between Park City SD, Murray SD, and Life Long Learning & Associates. All rights reserved. 5-2009
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Grade 6 Standard 3 Objective 1—Answer Key
1. B
2. D
3. A
4. D
5. C
6. A
7. B
8. C
9. B
10. D
11. B
12. A
13. D
14. C
CDASTM—G6 S3 O1
A joint project between Park City SD, Murray SD, and Life Long Learning & Associates. All rights reserved. 5-2009
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