Planets

6.2 AB STUDENTS WILL INVESTIGATE AND UNDERSTAND
THAT THE SOLAR SYSTEM IS ORGANIZED AND THE
VARIOUS BODIES IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM INTERACT.

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a. matter is distributed throughout the solar system.

b. planets have different sizes and orbit at different
distances from the sun

6.2AB LEARNING TARGETS

I can name the components of the solar system and describe their characteristics.

I can describe the planets and their relative distance from the sun.

KNOWLEDGE

The solar system consists of the sun, moon, Earth, other planets and
their moons, meteors, asteroids, and comets. Each body has its own
characteristics and features.

The distance between planets and the sizes of the planets vary greatly.

The outer gas planets are very large, and the four inner planets are
comparatively small and rocky.

KEY VOCABULARY

​gas giants
revolution
solar system
planet

THE SOLAR SYSTEM
CONSISTS OF:

The sun, moon, Earth, 7 other
planets and their moons. As
well as meteoroids, asteroids
and comets.

Each body has its own
characteristics and features.

THE PLANETS

A planet is a celestial
body orbiting around a star. We live on
planet Earth, and we orbit around the
Sun.

The order of the planets from the sun is
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter,
Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

Multiple Choice

a celestial body orbiting around a star is called-

• star

• celestial body

• planet

THE INNER (TERRESTRIAL) PLANETS

The four inner planets are called the terrestrial planets, or rocky
planets because of their composition (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars).

Multiple Choice

The inner planets are also called-

• terrestrial planets

• gas giants

• outer planets

THE OUTER (GAS GIANTS) PLANETS

The outer, “gas giants” planets are very large and are composed of
mostly gas (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune).

Multiple Choice

Outer planets are also called-

• terrestrial planets

• Gas giants

• outer planets

• rocky planets

DISTANCE FROM THE SUN AND ORBITAL PATH

The farther the planet is from the sun the longer it takes to
revolve around the sun.

The orbital path is not a perfect circle but an ellipse.

Multiple Choice

Jupiter, Saturn, Urans, and Neptune are outer planets or "gas giants"

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are called inner planets or terrestrial planets.

• True

• False

SIZE OF PLANETS

The distance between planets and the sun and sizes of planets vary greatly.

The order of planet according to their size from smallest to largest is (hint: M&M
VENUS J).

Multiple Choice

Which planet is the smallest planet?

• Jupiter

• Neptune

• Earth

• Mercury

Multiple Choice

Which planet is the largest planet?

• Jupiter

• Neptune

• Earth

• Mercury

Poll

How are you feeling about today's information?

• Great! I can explain it to someone else

• Ok! I think I have it.

• I think I need more practice.

• Solar System?? What's that??