A video shows the objects in the solar system orbiting the sun. Why do objects orbit the sun?(1 point)
Responses
The sun is moving so quickly that other objects move around it.
The sun is moving so quickly that other objects move around it.
The sun is so massive that it has the most gravity.
The sun is so massive that it has the most gravity.
The sun is so bright that objects are forced away.
The sun is so bright that objects are forced away.
The sun is releasing heat and pushing objects away.
The sun is releasing heat and pushing objects away.
Suppose a person built a sandcastle of moon sand on the moon. What would that person find there a month later?(1 point)
Responses
The sandcastle would have grown larger because moon sand particles attract other moon sand particles.
The sandcastle would have grown larger because moon sand particles attract other moon sand particles.
The sandcastle would remain in place the same size that it was because the moon has no wind.
The sandcastle would remain in place the same size that it was because the moon has no wind.
The sandcastle would have grown larger by collecting more sand particles because moon sand is blown by wind.
The sandcastle would have grown larger by collecting more sand particles because moon sand is blown by wind.
The sandcastle would be much smaller because changing winds would have eroded much of the sand away.
The sandcastle would remain in place the same size that it was because the moon has no wind.
Use the scenario to answer the question.
A student creates a diagram comparing the sizes of objects in the solar system.
Which two objects are often similar in size?
(1 point)
Responses
asteroids and comets
asteroids and comets
comets and planets
comets and planets
moons and meteors
moons and meteors
planets and meteors
moons and meteors
How do outer planets differ from inner planets?(1 point)
Responses
They consist of a mixture of gases and liquid.
They consist of a mixture of gases and liquid.
They have very large solid surfaces.
They have very large solid surfaces.
They are smaller than the inner planets.
They are smaller than the inner planets.
They are not different from inner planets.
They consist of a mixture of gases and liquid.
Solar System Unit Test
5 of 135 of 13 Items
Question
The table shows properties of some planets in the solar system.
Property Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Neptune
Average Distance from the Sun (AU) 0.72 1.0 1.5 5.2 9.5 30
Length of Year (Earth years) 0.62 1.0 1.9 11.9 29.4 164.8
Time for One Rotation (Earth days) 243 1.0 1.03 0.41 0.44 0.67
Mass (compared to Earth) 0.80 1.0 0.1 318 95 17
Surface Gravity (compared to Earth) 0.90 1.0 0.38 2.53 1.06 1.14
Size (compared to Earth) 0.94 1.0 0.53 11.0 9.1 3.9
Average Surface Temperature (ºC) 462 14 –62 –145 –140 –214
Number of Moons 0 1 2 79 82 14
Which planet is most similar in size to Earth?
(1 point)
Responses
Jupiter
Jupiter
Mars
Mars
Neptune
Neptune
Venus
Mars
Use the scenario to answer the question.
A student makes a chart about galaxies and mentions that the universe consists of many galaxies such as the Andromeda galaxy and the Milky Way galaxy.
Which statement is true about these two galaxies?
(1 point)
Responses
They are both moving away from each other.
They are both moving away from each other.
The Milky Way galaxy is larger than the Andromeda galaxy.
The Milky Way galaxy is larger than the Andromeda galaxy.
The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy, and the Andromeda galaxy is not.
The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy, and the Andromeda galaxy is not.
They both exert a strong gravitational pull on each other.
They both exert a strong gravitational pull on each other.
Why do students and scientists construct scale models of natural phenomena?(1 point)
Responses
to collect data from natural events
to collect data from natural events
to better observe patterns and relationships
to better observe patterns and relationships
to define new units of measurement
to define new units of measurement
to correct mistakes in nature
to better observe patterns and relationships
Which planet is approximately four times larger than the diameter of Venus on a scale model?(1 point)
Responses
Mars
Mars
Earth
Earth
Neptune
Neptune
Mercury
Mercury
Neptune
How does distance affects gravity?(1 point)
Responses
Gravity increases with increasing distance.
Gravity increases with increasing distance.
Gravity remains the same regardless of distance.
Gravity remains the same regardless of distance.
Gravity is zero at any point in the solar system.
Gravity is zero at any point in the solar system.
Gravity increases with decreasing distance.
Gravity increases with decreasing distance.
What is being used by scientists to organize Earth’s history?(1 point)
Responses
geologic time scale
geologic time scale
mass extinctions
mass extinctions
layers of rock
layers of rock
fossil record
geologic time scale
A model shows that the moon has grown to twice its size, yet it has remained in the same place. In one to two sentences, explain how this would impact the gravity between Earth and the moon.(2 points)
If the moon has grown to twice its size but remains in the same place, the impact on the gravity between Earth and the moon would likely be stronger attraction, as the mass of the moon has increased while its distance from Earth remains unchanged.
Given that the moon's mass has doubled but its distance from Earth has remained constant, if the moon doubles in size while remaining in the same location, the effect on Earth's gravity will most likely be stronger attraction.
That is correct. The increased mass of the moon would lead to a stronger gravitational pull between the Earth and the moon, resulting in stronger attraction between the two.
Use the scenario to answer the question.
Scientists have discovered a new planet. The planet is in a solar system whose star is similar in size to the sun and is about as far from the star as Venus is from the sun. The planet is similar in size to Earth, and its atmosphere is similar in thickness to Earth’s atmosphere. The atmosphere is composed almost entirely of carbon dioxide and methane.
In three to five sentences, make a hypothesis about the temperature on the planet’s surface. Explain your answer using information about the planet’s location and atmosphere.
Based on the information provided, I would hypothesize that the temperature on the planet's surface would be extremely high. The planet's proximity to its star, similar to Venus's distance from the sun, suggests that it receives a significant amount of solar radiation. Additionally, the composition of its atmosphere, predominantly carbon dioxide and methane, are greenhouse gases known to trap heat and contribute to the greenhouse effect. Therefore, it is likely that the combination of the planet's proximity to the star and its thick atmosphere would lead to a strong greenhouse effect, resulting in elevated temperatures on its surface.
I would estimate that the temperature on the planet's surface would be rather high based on the facts given. The planet's closeness to its star, which is comparable to Venus's separation from the sun, suggests that it absorbs a sizable quantity of solar energy. The majority of its atmosphere is made up of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide and methane, which are known to trap heat and contribute to the greenhouse effect. Therefore, it is probable that the planet's close closeness to the star and its substantial atmosphere will produce a potent greenhouse effect that raises the temperature of the planet's surface.
That's an excellent hypothesis. The combination of the planet's proximity to its star and the composition of its atmosphere would indeed lead to a strong greenhouse effect, resulting in high temperatures on its surface. The absorption of solar energy and the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere would contribute to trapping heat, similar to Venus's greenhouse effect, leading to elevated surface temperatures.
What would decrease the gravitational pull between the sun and Earth?(1 point)
Responses
if Earth was closer to the sun
if Earth was closer to the sun
if Earth was twice its size
if Earth was twice its size
if the sun was farther away from Earth
if the sun was farther away from Earth
if the sun was twice its size
if the sun was farther away from Earth
Suppose a person built a sandcastle of moon sand on the moon. What would that person find there a month later?(1 point)
Responses
The sandcastle would have grown larger by collecting more sand particles because moon sand is blown by wind.
The sandcastle would have grown larger by collecting more sand particles because moon sand is blown by wind.
The sandcastle would have grown larger because moon sand particles attract other moon sand particles.
The sandcastle would have grown larger because moon sand particles attract other moon sand particles.
The sandcastle would remain in place the same size that it was because the moon has no wind.
The sandcastle would remain in place the same size that it was because the moon has no wind.
The sandcastle would be much smaller because changing winds would have eroded much of the sand away.
The sandcastle would remain in place the same size that it was because the moon has no wind.
Use the scenario to answer the question.
A student creates a diagram comparing the sizes of objects in the solar system.
Which two objects are often similar in size?
(1 point)
Responses
comets and planets
comets and planets
asteroids and comets
asteroids and comets
moons and meteors
moons and meteors
planets and meteors
moons and meteors
How do outer planets differ from inner planets?(1 point)
Responses
They are not different from inner planets.
They are not different from inner planets.
They are smaller than the inner planets.
They are smaller than the inner planets.
They have very large solid surfaces.
They have very large solid surfaces.
They consist of a mixture of gases and liquid.
They consist of a mixture of gases and liquid.
Which statement best describes the distances between planets in the solar system?(1 point)
Responses
It has varying distances with no specific pattern.
It has varying distances with no specific pattern.
It stays the same for all planets in the solar system.
It stays the same for all planets in the solar system.
It decreases the farther you move from the sun.
It decreases the farther you move from the sun.
It increases the farther you move from the sun.
It increases the farther you move from the sun.
Why do students and scientists construct scale models of natural phenomena?(1 point)
Responses
to collect data from natural events
to collect data from natural events
to better observe patterns and relationships
to better observe patterns and relationships
to define new units of measurement
to define new units of measurement
to correct mistakes in nature
to better observe patterns and relationships
What might cause a model limitation?(1 point)
Responses
You have figured out the scale to use.
You have figured out the scale to use.
You know the approximate size of each planet.
You know the approximate size of each planet.
You have all the materials you need.
You have all the materials you need.
You run out of materials to finish the model.
You run out of materials to finish the model.
Which planet is approximately four times larger than the diameter of Venus on a scale model?(1 point)
Responses
Earth
Earth
Neptune
Neptune
Mars
Mars
Mercury
Neptune
How does distance affects gravity?(1 point)
Responses
Gravity is zero at any point in the solar system.
Gravity is zero at any point in the solar system.
Gravity increases with increasing distance.
Gravity increases with increasing distance.
Gravity increases with decreasing distance.
Gravity increases with decreasing distance.
Gravity remains the same regardless of distance.
Gravity decreases with increasing distance.
How does distance affects gravity?(1 point)
Responses
Gravity is zero at any point in the solar system.
Gravity is zero at any point in the solar system.
Gravity increases with increasing distance.
Gravity increases with increasing distance.
Gravity increases with decreasing distance.
Gravity increases with decreasing distance.
Gravity remains the same regardless of distance
Gravity decreases with increasing distance.
What is being used by scientists to organize Earth’s history?(1 point)
Responses
layers of rock
layers of rock
geologic time scale
geologic time scale
fossil record
fossil record
mass extinctions
geologic time scale
Which fossilized organisms are most likely found in Earth’s lowest layers of rock?(1 point)
Responses
reptiles
reptiles
bacteria
bacteria
snails
snails
dinosaurs
bacteria
A student wants to draw a scale model of the solar system. In three to four sentences or bullet points, explain what steps should be taken to create this model.
To create a scale model of the solar system, the following steps can be taken:
1. Determine the scale: Decide on a suitable scale that accurately represents the size of the solar system. For example, you may choose a scale where 1 centimeter represents 1 million kilometers.
2. Identify the objects: List the main objects in the solar system that will be included in the model, such as the sun, planets, and some moons.
3. Calculate the dimensions: Research and find out the actual sizes (diameters) of each object in the solar system. Use the chosen scale to calculate the corresponding sizes for the model.
4. Arrange the objects: Arrange the objects in the model according to their positions in the solar system. Place the sun in the center and position the planets and moons at their respective distances from the sun.
5. Add additional details: Consider including other relevant details in the model, such as the asteroid belt, dwarf planets, and even labels to identify each object.
6. Build the model: Use appropriate materials and craft techniques to build the physical model, ensuring that the sizes and distances are accurately represented according to the chosen scale.
7. Display and evaluate: Once the model is complete, display it in a suitable location for observation and evaluation. Take the opportunity to assess how well the model represents the actual proportions and distances of the objects in the solar system.