Earth and the Solar System (TEKS 7.9)

Front

What is the main element that makes up more than 90 percent of the sun's mass?

Back

Hydrogen.

Front

What is a meteor?

Back

A small object that burns up when moving through Earth’s atmosphere.

Front

What is the name of the point in a comet's orbit when it passes closest to the sun?

Back

Perihelion.

Front

How does gravitational attraction to the sun affect a planet's speed in its orbit?

Back

The closer a planet is to the sun, the greater the gravitational pull and the faster it moves.

Front

Why is liquid water essential for sustaining life on Earth?

Back

Water dissolves many substances, allowing important chemical reactions to occur.

Front

What is the center of our solar system?

Back

The Sun.

Front

What are comets primarily composed of?

Back

Ice, dust, and rocky material.

Front

What is the term for the path an object takes as it moves around another object in space?

Back

Orbit.

Front

What is the difference between a meteor and a meteorite?

Back

A meteor is a small object that burns up in the atmosphere, while a meteorite is a meteor that survives its passage through the atmosphere and lands on Earth.

Front

What is the role of gravity in the solar system?

Back

Gravity keeps planets in orbit around the sun and governs the motion of celestial bodies.