The Solar System

Front

What is a comet?

Back

A comet is a chunk of ice and dust that has a bright head and a long narrow tail.

Front

What two factors impact a planet's orbit?

Back

The size of the planet and the distance from the Sun.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Front

Which planets are considered the inner planets of the Solar System?

Back

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars.

Front

What is an asteroid?

Back

A large, rock-shaped object in space that orbits the Sun and is smaller than planets.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Front

How does distance affect gravity?

Back

The more distance between two objects, the less gravity they will have.

Front

What is the largest planet in the Solar System?

Back

Jupiter.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Front

What is the main component of the Sun?

Back

Hydrogen, which makes up about 74% of its mass.

Front

What is the difference between a meteoroid and a meteor?

Back

A meteoroid is a small rock or particle from space, while a meteor is the streak of light produced when a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere.

Front

What is the Kuiper Belt?

Back

A region of the Solar System beyond Neptune, filled with small icy bodies and dwarf planets.

Front

What is a dwarf planet?

Back

A celestial body that orbits the Sun and is similar to a planet but does not clear its orbit of other debris.