Solar System Test

1) Students are planning to build a scale model of the outer planets of the solar system. The table here shows some of the objects the students will use for their scale model. Based on the information in the table provided, which of the following representative objects and scaled diameters should they choose for the planet Saturn?

• Softball, 12 cm
• Ping Pong Ball, 4cm
• Beach Ball, 30 cm
• Soccer Ball, 22 cm

Tags

MS-ESS1-2

MS-ESS1-3

2) 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

Tags

MS-ESS1-2

MS-ESS1-3

3) Which of the following is a complete list of the inner planets?

• Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter
• Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
• Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
• Mercury, Venus, Earth, Jupiter

Tags

MS-ESS1-2

4) A student is using the illustration provided to gather data on the average thickness of the layers of the planet Mars. The student wants to create a scale model out of modeling clay and begins with a sphere of clay approximately 4 cm thick to represent the core. About how thick a layer of clay will be needed to make the crust?

• Almost 10 cm
• Nearly 3 cm
• About half a mm
• A little less than 12 m

Tags

MS-ESS1-2

5) The orbital motions of the objects in the solar system are the direct result of which of the following features of the Sun?

• Its magnetic field
• Its brightness
• Its gravitational pull
• Its chemical composition

Tags

MS-ESS1-2

What characteristics describe the outer planets?

• rocky surface

• gas giants

• less dense

• has ring system

• more dense

6) What characteristics describe the inner planets in the solar system?

• Terrestrials

• gas giants

• surface has craters

• farthest from the sun

• more dense

Answer explanation

The inner planets in the solar system are relatively smaller, more dense, terrestrial, and rocky compared to the giant, gaseous outer planets.

7) What makes up the solar system?

• several stars, galaxies, and planets rotating around each other

• a star with several planets and other celestial bodies that are held by its gravitational pull

• the inner and outer planets with several stars in the sky

• Mercury, Venus, Mars, Earth, Jupiter, Uranus, Saturn, and Neptune

Answer explanation

The solar system consists of the Sun and a collection of objects, including planets, their moons, asteroids, and comets, that are held in orbit around the Sun by its gravitational pull on them.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3