Earth and the Solar System: Phenomena

The planets of the solar system are shown. Based on planetary orbits alone, which comparison is most likely correct?

• Mars is denser than Neptune.

• Venus has a smaller tilt than Uranus.

• Earth years are shorter than Saturn years.

• Days on Jupiter are shorter than days on Mercury.

The length of a year on Earth is a little over 365 days. The length of a year on a planet is best described as the time it takes for which to occur?

• the planet to revolve once around the Sun

• the Sun to rotate once on its axis

• the planet to rotate once on its axis

• the seasons to complete a full cycle

Use the diagram to the right to answer the question. 

Which statement is true?

• Uranus has a faster orbit than Earth because it is farther away.

• Jupiter has a faster orbit than Earth because it is the largest planet.

• Earth has a faster orbit than Jupiter because it is closer to the sun.

• Neptune has a slower orbit than Saturn because it is smaller than Saturn.

Which is the largest of the planets?

• Uranus

• Neptune

• Jupiter

• Saturn

Which object in the solar system has the greatest mass and provides the greatest force to keep all objects within the solar system in orbit?

• Ort Cloud

• Sun

• Asteroid Belt

• Jupiter

Why do objects in our solar system orbit the sun?

• Because of their composition.

• Because of their shape.

• Because of electromagnetic force.

• Because of gravitational force.

Complete the sentence.

Earth’s orbit around the sun is a(n) __________. However, it ___________.

• circle; looks like an ellipse

• ellipse; is irregular at some parts

• ellipse; looks almost like a circle

• circle; is irregular at some parts

Where is the main asteroid belt in the solar system?

• Between Earth and Venus.

• Between Jupiter and Mars.

• Between Venus and Mercury.

• Between Saturn and Neptune.

Which are examples of outer planets?

• Mars

• Venus

• Neptune

• Uranus

Astronomers discover a new, small, irregularly shaped object in the solar system. The object is orbiting the sun. It is composed of frozen molecules of gases and other compounds. It is not orbiting a planet. How would the object be classified?

• Dust

• Comet

• Meteoroid

• Satellite