Unit 7 Cycle 1 - Gravity & the Solar System

What consists of a star, such as the sun, and the objects affected by its gravity, like planets, moons, and asteroids?

• Moon

• Planet

• Solar System

• Galaxy

• Universe

Answer explanation

So far, astronomers have found more than 500 solar systems and are discovering new ones every year. Given how many they have found in our own neighborhood of the Milky Way galaxy, scientists estimate that there may be tens of billions of solar systems in our galaxy, perhaps even as many as 100 billion.

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Which of the following are found in our solar system?

• Planets

• Millions of Stars

• Asteroids

• The Sun

• Moons

Answer explanation

The Sun is the only star in our solar system!

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What do we call a system of solar systems and other stars held together by gravity?

• A planet

• A solar system

• A galaxy

• The universe

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What galaxy is our Solar System in?

• The Andromeda Galaxy

• The Milky Way Galaxy

• The Snickers Galaxy

• Bode's Galaxy

Which is larger - a solar system or a galaxy?

• A solar system

• A galaxy

• Neither - they are the same size

Answer explanation

A galaxy is a system of solar systems and other stars. There are many galaxies in the universe,

each containing many other stars.

Which is larger - a galaxy or the universe?

• A galaxy

• The universe

• Neither - they are the same size

Answer explanation

All things, including galaxies and solar systems, are included within the universe.

True or False: Anything that has mass has a gravitational field.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This is TRUE! Anything with mass has gravity - even the moon! The larger an object is (more mass), the greater the gravitational field of the object!

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What are the two factors that affect gravity?

• shape

• distance

• speed

• mass

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One factor that affects gravity is mass. How does gravity change when the mass of the interacting objects increases (larger objects)?

• An object with a large mass will cause a larger force of gravity when compared to an object with a small mass.

• An object with a large mass will cause a smaller force of gravity when compared to an object with a small mass.

• An object with a large mass will have the same force of gravity when compared to an object with a small mass.

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Another factor that affects gravity is distance. How does gravity change when the distance between the interacting objects increases (farther apart)?

• More distance between masses will result in stronger gravitational forces.

• More distance between masses will result in weaker gravitational forces.

• More distance between masses will result in no change in the gravitational forces.

Answer explanation

As two objects are separated farther apart from each other, the force of gravitational attraction between them decreases.