Solar Systems and Small Bodies

Which of the following is NOT one of the terrestrial (inner) planets?

• Mars

• Venus

• Saturn

• Earth

Which of the following is NOT one of the Jovian (outer) planets

• Jupiter

• Neptune

• Uranus

• Mercury

What is the main difference between a planet and a dwarf planet?

• dwarf planets don't orbit the Sun

• dwarf planets are not spherical

• dwarf planets do not clear their orbits of debris

• dwarf planets have no gravity

What is a plutoid?

• a planet that is no larger than Pluto

• a subgroup of dwarf planets that orbit near Pluto

• another name for all dwarf planets

• any object that orbits past Neptune

Which of the following does NOT describe the inner (terrestrial) planets?

• they are small

• they are rocky

• they have relatively thin atmospheres

• they have highly tilted orbits with respect to the Sun

Which of the following does NOT describe the Jovian (outer) planets?

• thick, hydrogen rich atmospheres

• mostly gaseous or liquid

• much larger than the inner planets

• largely composed of silicates and metals

Where is the asteroid belt?

• between Mars and Jupiter

• past Neptune to 55 AU

• in a spherical shape around the Solar System up to 150,000 AU

Where is the Oort Cloud?

• between Mars and Jupiter

• past Neptune to 55 AU

• in a spherical shape around the Solar System up to 150,000 AU

Where is the Kuiper Belt?

• between Mars and Jupiter

• past Neptune to 55 AU

• in a spherical shape around the Solar System up to 150,000 AU

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Which of the following is NOT true regarding planetary orbits?

• most planetary objects are in the same plane

• planets orbit the Sun in a counterclockwise direction

• Earth rotates on its axis in a clockwise direction

• many dwarf planets and small bodies have highly inclined orbits

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4