Mod H Unit 2 Lesson 2 Quiz - Earth and the Solar System
Authored by Monica Funston
Science
6th - 8th Grade
NGSS covered
Used 88+ times
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This quiz covers Earth and space science, focusing on the solar system and astronomical observations at the middle school level, appropriate for grades 6-8. The questions assess students' understanding of planetary classification criteria, characteristics of celestial bodies like comets and dwarf planets, astronomical measurement techniques including parallax, Earth's rotation effects on constellation observation, and the limitations of scientific models. Students need to grasp the three requirements for planetary status (orbiting the Sun, spherical shape due to gravity, and clearing orbital neighborhood), distinguish between different types of space objects based on composition and orbital characteristics, and understand how scientific models evolve through observation and evidence. The quiz requires critical thinking about the relationship between Earth's motion and apparent stellar movement, as well as the practical challenges of creating accurate scale models of the solar system. Created by Monica Funston, a Science teacher in the US who teaches grades 6 and 8. This assessment serves as an excellent formative evaluation tool for Unit 2 Lesson 2, allowing teachers to gauge student comprehension of fundamental solar system concepts before advancing to more complex astronomical topics. The quiz works effectively as a warm-up review of previous lessons, homework assignment to reinforce classroom learning, or end-of-lesson check for understanding. Teachers can use the varied question formats to accommodate different learning styles while building students' ability to analyze scientific models and evidence-based reasoning. The content aligns with NGSS standards 5-ESS1-1 (Sun and stars), 5-ESS1-2 (daily changes in shadows, day/night, seasons), and MS-ESS1-2 (objects in the solar system), supporting the progression from elementary observations to middle school analysis of celestial mechanics and the scientific process of model refinement through empirical evidence.
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10 questions
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1.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
10 mins • 1 pt
Dwarf planets are smaller than planets. What is another way that dwarf planets are different?
They are not spherical
They do not orbit the sun
They have large objects in their orbit
They move more slowly along their orbits
Answer explanation
Requirements to be a PLANET: The object must be in orbit around the Sun. The object must be massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity. It must have cleared the neighborhood around its orbit. POOR PLUTO, does't fit the bill.
2.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
10 mins • 1 pt
As astronomer observes an object in space that has an irregular shape, that orbits the sun in a highly elliptical orbit, and that is made of ice and rock. Which object is the astronomer most likely observing?
moon
comet
asteroid
meteoroid
Answer explanation
A comet is an icy, small Solar System body that, when passing close to the Sun, warms and begins to release gases, a process that is called outgassing.
3.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
10 mins • 1 pt
An astronomer uses parallax to determine a star’s distance from Earth. Which statement correctly describes parallax?
Stars closer to Earth will have a dimmer appearance.
Stars farther away from Earth will have a dimmer appearance.
Stars closer to Earth will appear to have a greater shift in position.
Stars farther away from Earth will appear to have a greater shift in position.
Answer explanation
Parallax can be used to measure the distance to an object based on the size of the apparent shift in position when the object is viewed from two places. The bigger the apparent shift in position is, the closer the object is to the viewer.
4.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
10 mins • 1 pt
The picture shows a model of the solar system.
Which statement describes a limitation of the model?
It cannot show how the planets orbit the sun.
It cannot show the relative sizes of each planet.
It does not show the gravitational force exerted by each planet.
It does not show the order of the planets, from closest to the sun to farthest from the sun.
Tags
NGSS.MS-ESS1-1
NGSS.MS-ESS1-2
NGSS.MS-PS2-4
5.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
10 mins • 1 pt
Early astronomers noticed that some stars in the sky appeared to move together across the sky as constellations. How do astronomers today explain this motion?
The sun’s gravity keeps the stars together because they orbit the sun at the same rate.
The stars appear to move together along a path because of Earth’s rotation on its axis.
Gravitational attraction between the stars keeps them fixed relative to each other as they move.
The stars move around Earth in the same way, so their positions relative to each other stay the same.
Tags
NGSS.MS-ESS1-2
NGSS.MS-PS2-4
6.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
10 mins • 1 pt
The table shows events that led to the current theory that the sun is the center of the solar system.
1, 2, 3
1, 3, 2
2, 1, 3
3, 1,2
Tags
NGSS.MS-ESS1-1
NGSS.MS-ESS1-2
7.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
10 mins • 1 pt
The dotted lines in the picture show orbital paths of objects.
Which object orbits E?
Object A
Object B
Object C
Object D
Tags
NGSS.MS-ESS1-2
NGSS.MS-PS2-4
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