Flashcard: The Planets

Front

What are the inner planets?

Back

The inner planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. They are relatively close together and are rocky in composition.

Front

Which planet rotates on its side?

Back

Uranus is the planet that rotates on its side, making its axis of rotation nearly horizontal.

Front

What keeps planets in their orbits?

Back

The gravity of the sun keeps the planets in their orbits around it.

Front

What are the outer planets also known as?

Back

The outer planets are also known as gas giants, which include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

Front

Which planet is the hottest?

Back

Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system due to its thick atmosphere that traps heat.

Front

What is a planet?

Back

A planet is a celestial body that orbits a star, is spherical in shape, and has cleared its orbit of other debris.

Front

What is the difference between terrestrial and gas giant planets?

Back

Terrestrial planets are rocky and closer to the sun, while gas giants are larger, composed mostly of gases, and located further from the sun.

Front

Name the four terrestrial planets.

Back

The four terrestrial planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.

Front

What is the largest planet in our solar system?

Back

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system.

Front

What is the role of gravity in the solar system?

Back

Gravity is the force that attracts objects toward one another, keeping planets in orbit around the sun.