Gravity and Our Solar System Practice Test

An object that orbits the Sun, has a spherical shape, and has mass greater than the mass of other objects near it is a(n)

• star

• planet

• asteroid

• comet

What keeps planets in orbit around the Sun?

• the Sun's mass

• the Sun's period of rotation

• the Sun's gravitational force

• the Sun's color

The planets in the solar system are so far apart that scientists measure the distances between them in

• miles (mi)

• kilometers (km)

• astronomical units (AU)

• inches (in)

All the inner planets

• have at least one moon.

• have thick atmospheres.

• are rocky and have a solid outer layer.

• are large.

All the outer planets are made mostly of

• water ice.

• metal and rock.

• gas and liquid around the solid core.

• a rocky surface.

Which planet is the solar system's largest?

• Jupiter

• Saturn

• Neptune

• Uranus

Which planet has a sideways axis rotation?

• Jupiter

• Saturn

• Uranus

• Mercury

Which planet is the hottest?

• Mercury

• Earth

• Jupiter

• Venus

The majority of asteroids are found in a belt located between which two planets?

• Earth and Mars

• Mars and Venus

• Mars and Jupiter

• Jupiter and Saturn

The force of gravitational attraction between the Sun and Venus could be increased by reducing which of the following?

• The distance between the Sun and Venus

• the period of rotation of the Sun

• The mass of the Sun and Venus

• The speed of the orbit of Venus