Download Grade 9 Applied Science – Space

Grade 9 Applied Science – Space
Planets
Section 8.4 Pages 305-307
Comparing the Planets with Earth
Using the Internet to complete the following table
Planet Database
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Size
(Earth = 1)
1
Distance
(AU)
1
Mass
(Earth = 1)
1
Density
(Earth = 1)
1
Average
Surface
Temperature
(OC)
22
Rotation
Period
(Days)
1
Orbital Period
(Years)
1
Number of
Moons
1
Other
Important
Features
Rock and
Metal
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Grade 9 Applied Science – Space
The Planets
Our Solar System has eight planets. It also contain a Sun, at least three dwarf planets, over 130 satellites of the planets, and countless comets and asteroids. The
planets are grouped into two categories: Inner Planets and Outer Planets. What is the dividing line? In other words, what defines an Inner Planet versus an
Outer Planet?
Task

Use your database to assign each planet in our Solar System to its proper category.
Some Fun Facts
 In Greek mythology Mercury is the Hermes, the messenger of the Gods. The planet probably received this name because it moves so quickly across the sky.

The Greek referred to the planets as Wanderers. Why do you think the planets were given this name?

Jupiter has 67 moons. Jupiter has the shortest day of all the planets. It turns on its axis once every 9 hours and 55 minutes. The rapid rotation flattens the
planet slightly, giving it an oblate shape. Jupiter has the Great Red Spot that is visible on its surface. It is a huge storm that has raged for at least 350 years.
It is so large that three Earths could fit inside it.

Uranus is the coldest planet with minimum atmospheric temperature of -224°C. The upper atmosphere of Uranus is covered by a methane haze. This hides
the storms that take place in the cloud decks. Uranus also has rings that run between its poles (i.e., vertical orientation).

Mars is home to the tallest mountain in the solar system. Olympus Mons, a shield volcano, is 21 km high and 600 km in diameter. Despite having formed
over billions of years, evidence from volcanic lava flows is so recent many scientists believe it could still be active.

Saturn’s rings were discovered in 1610 by the astronomer Galileo Galilei. The Saturnian rings are made mostly of chunks of ice and small amounts of
carbonaceous dust. The rings stretch out more than 120 700 km from the planet, but are amazingly thin: only about 20 meters thick.

Mercury is the second hottest planet. Despite being further from the Sun, Venus experiences higher temperatures. The surface of Mercury which faces the
Sun sees temperatures of up to 427°C, whilst on the alternate side, temperatures can be as low as -173°C. This is due to the planet having no atmosphere to
help regulate the temperature.
Compared to Earth
Planet Database
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Size
(Earth = 1)
0.38
0.95
1
0.53
11.25
9.45
4.01
3.96
Size Diameter
(km)
4876
12,107
12,755
6,794
142,983
120,536
51,117
49,527
Distance
(AU)
0.39
0.75
1
1.52
5.27
9.54
19.19
30.06
Mass
(Earth = 1)
0.06
0.86
1
0.11
318
95
15
17
Density
(Earth = 1)
1.0
0.96
1
0.71
0.24
0.13
0.24
0.27
Average
Surface
Temperature
(OC)
350
480
22
-23
-150
-180
-214
-220
Rotation Period
(Days)
58.7
243
1
1.02
0.41
0.44
0.72
0.67
Orbital Period
(Years)
0.24
0.62
1
1.88
11.86
29.48
84.01
104.8
Number of
Moons
0
0
1
2
16
18
17
8
Composition
Rocks and
Metals
Rocks and
Metals
Rocks and
Metals
Rocks and
Metals
Gas
(mainly
Hydrogen and
Helium)
Gas
(mainly
Hydrogen and
Helium)
Gas
(mainly
Hydrogen and
Helium)
Gas
(mainly
Hydrogen and
Helium)