Chapter 19 The Solar System REVIEW

Front

What is a dwarf planet?

Back

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

Front

How does Earth differ from other inner planets?

Back

Earth's surface is covered by large amounts of liquid water.

Front

What gives Mars its reddish color?

Back

Mars appears reddish due to soil rich in iron oxide.

Front

How does a planet's speed change as it orbits the Sun?

Back

A planet's speed increases and then decreases as it orbits the Sun.

Front

What is the asteroid belt?

Back

The asteroid belt is a region in space between Mars and Jupiter that contains millions of small rocky objects.

Front

What are the inner planets?

Back

The inner planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, which are closer to the Sun and primarily rocky.

Front

What are the outer planets?

Back

The outer planets are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, which are larger and mostly gas giants.

Front

What is the significance of the Oort Cloud?

Back

The Oort Cloud is a theoretical cloud of icy bodies that is believed to surround the solar system and is the source of long-period comets.

Front

What is a comet?

Back

A comet is a small celestial body made of ice, dust, and rocky material that, when passing close to the Sun, develops a glowing coma and tail.

Front

What is the difference between a meteoroid, meteor, and meteorite?

Back

A meteoroid is a small rock or particle in space, a meteor is the flash of light produced when a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere, and a meteorite is a meteoroid that survives its passage through the atmosphere and lands on Earth.