Unit 1a the Orgins of the Solar System 2025 Short Review

A nebula is:

• A cloud of ice

• A cloud of dust and gas

• A cloud of just gas

• A cloud of just dust

Answer explanation

A nebula is primarily composed of both dust and gas, making 'a cloud of dust and gas' the correct choice. Other options incorrectly limit the composition to just one of these elements.

The most abundant gases in a nebula are:

• Hydrogen & Oxygen

• Nitrogen & Oxygen

• Hydrogen & Helium

• Oxygen & Helium

Answer explanation

The most abundant gases in a nebula are Hydrogen and Helium. These elements make up about 98% of the mass in the universe, with Hydrogen being the most prevalent, followed by Helium.

A nebula starts to move because:

• A nearby supernova

• A nearby star

• A passing spaceship

• A passing comet

Answer explanation

A nearby supernova can release shock waves and energy that compress the surrounding gas and dust, causing a nebula to start moving. This is a significant event compared to the other options, which are less impactful.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

A nebula starts to collapse because of:

• A nearby star shining it's light

• A passing spaceship

• A passing comet

• Gravity

Answer explanation

A nebula collapses primarily due to gravity, which pulls the gas and dust together. The other options, like nearby stars or comets, do not have the same direct effect on the nebula's structure as gravity does.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

A nebula collapses down into a disk known called:

• A compact disk

• An irregular cloud

• An accretion disk

• An circular disk

Answer explanation

A nebula collapses under gravity, forming a rotating disk of gas and dust called an accretion disk. This process is crucial for star and planet formation, making 'an accretion disk' the correct answer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

The group of inner planets are known as:

• The Terrestrial Planets

• The Gas Giants

• The Outer Planets

• The Hallow Planets

Answer explanation

The group of inner planets, which includes Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, is known as the Terrestrial Planets. They are characterized by their rocky surfaces, distinguishing them from the Gas Giants and Outer Planets.

The group of outer planets are known as:

• The Terrestrial Planets

• The Gas Giants

• The Inner Planets

• The Rocky Planets

Answer explanation

The outer planets, which include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, are classified as the Gas Giants due to their large sizes and gaseous compositions, distinguishing them from the Terrestrial and Rocky planets.

What materials could not survive the heat where the rocky planets were formed?

• Gamma Rays

• Plasma

• Ice and Gas

• Rocks

Answer explanation

Ice and gas could not survive the extreme heat during the formation of rocky planets, as they would vaporize or dissipate, while rocks and other materials could withstand the high temperatures.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

A cloud of gas and dust in space is called __________.

• a nebula

• a space haze

• an asteroid belt

• a galaxy

Answer explanation

A cloud of gas and dust in space is called a nebula. Nebulae are often the birthplaces of stars and can be observed in various forms, unlike asteroid belts or galaxies, which are different astronomical structures.

The Nebular Hypothesis is the scientific explanation for the formation of __________.

• the universe.

• meteor showers.

• our solar system.

• clouds.

Answer explanation

The Nebular Hypothesis explains how our solar system formed from a cloud of gas and dust, making "our solar system" the correct choice. It does not pertain to the universe as a whole, meteor showers, or clouds.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2