6th Grade - Formative Items Set: Exploring Planetary Systems

Front

Jessica has created the diagram shown to model three planets in the order of their gravitational force with the sun. Which change to the model will make it more accurate and why? Options: Reorder the planets to Mercury, Earth, Jupiter, because the Sun pulls more strongly on smaller planets than on larger planets. Reorder the planets to Mercury, Earth, Jupiter, because both distance from the Sun and the planets’ masses influence gravitational pull. Keep the same order but move Earth and Mercury much farther away, because gravitational pull increases as distance from the Sun increases. Put all three planets the same distance from the Sun, because the Sun’s constant mass causes the same gravitational pull on all three planets.

Back

Reorder the planets to Mercury, Earth, Jupiter, because both distance from the Sun and the planets’ masses influence gravitational pull.

Front

Which distance from the Sun is the most likely location where a rocky planet with a diameter of 9,500 km and three moons would be found? Options: 0.5 AU, 2.0 AU, 5.0 AU, 9.0 AU

Back

2.0 AU

Front

These photographs show surface features of four objects in the solar system. Which is the best conclusion about what these images could tell us about surface features on Earth?

Back

Earth has also been hit by numerous meteorites over the years, even if several impact craters are covered by the ocean, plants, or other objects.

Front

What description of this model is incorrect? The tennis ball is spinning on an axis as it moves. The tennis ball revolves around Ben. The string keeps the tennis ball from traveling in a straight line. Ben is much larger and represents a larger mass than the tennis ball.

Back

The tennis ball is spinning on an axis as it moves.

Front

A curved groove is placed on a level table, as shown. A ball is pushed in the groove at P so that it exits the curve at Q. How would the ball move after it leaves the groove at Q?

Back

It would go off Q in a straight line.

Front

Based on the information above, what should be the mass for the object that represents Mars?

Back

4.0 kg

Front

Select the correct order of the Earth's layers from the outermost layer to the innermost layer.

Back

Crust, mantle, outer core, inner core

Front

What is the main difference between the inner core and outer core?

Back

The inner core is solid and the outer core is liquid

Front

The circulation of iron in the ___ core produces the Earth's magnetic field.

Back

Outer

Front

High energy particles released from the sun.

Back

Solar winds