Unit 3 LS2 Formation of Earth & Vocab Check-In

Front

What is a protoplanet?

Back

A large body of matter in orbit around the sun or a star, thought to be a developing planet.

Front

What is a nebula?

Back

A cloud of dust and gases in space.

Front

What is a meteorite?

Back

A rock from space that has landed on Earth.

Front

True or False: Humans have been on Earth for most of its history.

Back

False

Front

What is a meteoroid?

Back

A rock in space.

Front

What is the difference between a comet and an asteroid?

Back

A comet is made of ice and dust, while an asteroid is made of rock and metal.

Front

What is the significance of the solar nebula theory?

Back

It explains the formation of the solar system from a rotating disk of gas and dust.

Front

What is the role of gravity in the formation of planets?

Back

Gravity pulls together gas and dust to form larger bodies, leading to planet formation.

Front

What is a crater?

Back

A bowl-shaped depression on a planet or moon caused by the impact of a meteorite.

Front

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

Back

A meteoroid is a small rock in space, a meteor is the flash of light when it enters the atmosphere, and a meteorite is what lands on Earth.