The Solar System and the Universe

A meteoroid is a chunk of rock traveling through the solar system. How is a meteorite related to a meteoroid?

• A meteorite is a meteoroid that enters Earth’s atmosphere.

• A meteorite is a meteoroid that has broken into smaller pieces.

• A meteorite is a meteoroid that is larger than an asteroid.

• A meteorite is a meteoroid that reaches the surface of Earth.

While looking at the sky one night, Bevan saw a streak of light. Bevan’s father told him that the light was produced by a small chunk of rock passing through Earth’s atmosphere. Which of these terms best describes what Bevan saw?

• asteroid

• comet

• meteor

• meteorite

Pluto was once called a planet. In 2006 it was reclassified with other nearly round bodies whose orbits cross the orbits of other bodies. Which of the terms describes Pluto?

• asteroid

• dwarf planet

• comet

• meteor

Planets are classified as either inner planets or outer planets based on their distance from the sun. What is found between the inner planets and the outer planets?

• asteroids

• comets

• moons

• stars

A comet is a chunk of frozen gases, rock, ice, and dust. When does a comet form a visible tail?

• at the farthest point of its orbit

• as it crosses Earth’s orbit

• when it leaves the asteroid belt

• when it passes close to the sun

Which of these objects would most likely be found between Mars and Jupiter?

• stars

• asteroids

• comets

• dwarf planets

Which body is made up of hydrogen and helium and has an atmosphere of the same substances?

• the sun

• the moon

• Earth

• both the sun and Earth

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

Which planet consists mostly of solid rock?

• Jupiter

• Mercury

• Neptune

• Saturn

Which of these planets has the Great Dark Spot?

• Jupiter

• Neptune

• Saturn

• Uranus

Which body has a structure of rocky layers and an atmosphere of mainly nitrogen and oxygen?

• the sun

• the moon

• Earth

• both the sun and the moon

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2