Space Flashcard

Front

What is the primary reason most planets are clustered near the sun in a scale model of the solar system?

Back

The gravitational pull of the sun is strongest near it, causing planets to be more densely clustered in that region.

Front

What are neap tides and when do they occur?

Back

Neap tides occur when the solar and lunar tides are at 90-degree angles to each other, resulting in the least extreme tides.

Front

What is the largest object in our solar system?

Back

The Sun is the largest object in our solar system.

Front

What is a total solar eclipse?

Back

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon completely covers the sun as viewed from Earth.

Front

What does the term 'waning crescent' refer to in lunar phases?

Back

A waning crescent is the phase of the moon when the visible light is decreasing each day, leading up to the new moon.

Front

What is the significance of the sun's gravitational force in the solar system?

Back

The sun's gravitational force keeps the planets in orbit around it, maintaining the structure of the solar system.

Front

How do solar and lunar tides differ?

Back

Solar tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the sun, while lunar tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon.

Front

What is the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse?

Back

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, while a lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon.

Front

What are the phases of the moon?

Back

The phases of the moon include new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter, and waning crescent.

Front

What is the role of gravity in the formation of the solar system?

Back

Gravity pulled together gas and dust in space to form the sun and planets, leading to the structure of the solar system.