Properties and Characteristics Review

Imagine you're looking at the sky on a clear day. Which object, that is also the center of our solar system, takes up 99.8% of its mass?

• the Moon

• Jupiter

• the Sun

• Earth

What is the definition of an Astronomical Unit (AU)?

• 10,000 miles

• The distance from the Sun to Mercury.

• The distance from the Sun to Neptune.

• The distance from the Sun to Earth.

When a scientist compares temperature data of a newly discovered planet to our own, stating it's 'relative to Earth', what does it imply?

• It means that the data is compared to Earth's data.

• It means that the data is opposite to Earth's data.

• It means that the data is about outer space.

• It means that the data is unreliable.

Imagine you are an astronaut exploring the inner planets of our solar system. You notice that they are all composed of rock. Based on this observation, how would you classify these planets?

• terrestrial

• gas giants

• star

• moon

Imagine you're looking at a model of the solar system. Why are some of the outer planets referred to as 'gas giants'?

• They are called gas giants because they are located further out in the solar system.

• They are known as gas giants because they are composed primarily of gas and are very large.

• They are termed gas giants because they consist of plasma and have ongoing nuclear reactions within.

• Actually, none of the outer planets are called gas giants.

Imagine you're classifying celestial bodies and you come across a small object in space. Which one of the following is NOT a criterion for it to be considered a dwarf planet?

• It must orbit a star.

• It must have enough mass to assume a nearly round shape.

• It must not have cleared its neighboring region of other objects.

• It must be located beyond Neptune in our solar system.

Examine the ring systems of each planet. What pattern do you observe?

• There is a pattern. All of the inner planets have rings and none of the outer planets have rings.

• There is a pattern. All of the outer planets have rings and none of the inner planets have rings.

• There is no pattern when looking at 'Ring System.'

Imagine you're analyzing the climate of planets in our solar system. When comparing the 'Mean Temperature' of each planet, what observation do you make?

• There is a pattern. The average temperatures of the inner planets are much hotter than the average temperatures of the outer planets.

• There is a pattern. The average temperatures of the outer planets are much hotter than the average temperatures of the inner planets.

• There is no pattern when looking at 'Mean Temperature'.

Imagine you're observing the solar system. Examine the 'Diameter' of each planet. What observation do you make?

• There is a pattern. The diameter of the outer planets are much larger than the inner planets.

• There is a pattern. The diameter of the inner planets are much larger than the outer planets.

• There is no pattern when looking at 'Diameter'.

Imagine you are an astronaut exploring the outer planets. You try to measure the surface pressure, but you find it 'unknown'. Why do you think this might be the case?

• The outer planets do not have any surface pressure.

• It's challenging to determine the surface pressure because it's hard to tell where the outer planets' surface is! This is because they are made of gas.

• Scientists do not care about the surface pressures of the outer planets.