Earth & Space

Which of the following characteristics do all planets need to have to be classified as a planet?

• be a sphere (roughly)

• orbit the sun

• not orbit another planet

• have life

• must clear its own orbit (must be the dominant body in the orbit)

Why was Pluto reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006?

• because it was deemed too small

• because it has no moons

• because scientists discovered that it crosses the orbit of Neptune and isn't the biggest spherical body in its orbit.

• it isn't spherical

Which of the following statements is true?

• the Sun moves across the sky

• the Sun only appears to move across the sky and in fact does NOT move. It only appears this way because the Earth rotates every 24 hours

• The Sun orbits the Earth which is why we have day and night

Years ago, people believed the planets and sun orbited Earth. This model was known as the...

What is the name of the model which suggests that the planets all orbit the sun?

How long does it take for the Earth to rotate (spin) once on its axis?

• 24 hours

• 12 hours

• 365 days

• 1 hour

How long does it take for the Earth to orbit (revolve) around the sun?

• 365 days

• 24 hours

• 28 days

• 1 day

Why does the Moon appear to be different shapes at various times?

• because the Sun blocks the moon creating different shapes

• because as the Moon rotates and orbits around Earth, the Sun lights up different parts of it.

• because the Earth orbits the sun causing it to appear differently each year

How long does it take for the Moon to orbit the Earth?

• 24 hours

• 365 days

• 27-28 days

• 1 hour

Which is the correct order of the planets starting from the Sun?

• Venus, Mercury, Saturn, Uranus, Pluto, Mars, Earth, Jupiter

• Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

• Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Earth, Venus, Mercury

• Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto