AMST 6th Grade Formative Set-Exploring Planetary Systems

Jessica has created the diagram shown to model three planets in the order of their gravitational force with the sun. Which change to the model will make it more accurate and why?

• Reorder the planets to Mercury, Earth, Jupiter, because the Sun pulls more strongly on smaller planets than on larger planets.

• Reorder the planets to Mercury, Earth, Jupiter, because both distance from the Sun and the planets’ masses influence gravitational pull.

• Keep the same order but move Earth and Mercury much farther away, because gravitational pull increases as distance from the Sun increases.

• Put all three planets the same distance from the Sun, because the Sun’s constant mass causes the same gravitational pull on all three planets.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

2. The table shows data about six planets in our solar system. Which distance from the Sun is the most likely location where a rocky planet with a diameter of 9,500 km and three moons would be found?

• 0.5 AU

• 2.5 AU

• 5 AU

• 9 AU

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

These photographs show surface features of four objects in the solar system. Which is the best conclusion about what these images could tell us about surface features on Earth?

• Earth could one day have an oblong shape similar to Asteroid Vesta.

• Meteorites are known to hit moons, asteroids, and other planets, but always miss Earth.

• Earth has also been hit by numerous meteorites over the years, even if several impact craters are covered by the ocean, plants, or other objects.

• Meteorites always burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere, meaning the Earth does not have any impact craters.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Ben made a model of Earth orbiting the Sun by tying a string to a tennis ball and spinning it around his head. The picture shows the model as viewed from above, with Ben representing the Sun, the tennis ball representing Earth, and the string representing the force of gravity. What description of this model is incorrect?

• The tennis ball is spinning on an axis as it moves.

• The tennis ball revolves around Ben.

• The string keeps the tennis ball from traveling in a straight line.

• Ben is much larger and represents a larger mass than the tennis ball.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS2-5

 Students are observing photographs of river deltas. They are determining if the surface features near the river deltas are due to natural causes or because of human activities. Which three choices would provide evidence that humans have impacted a river delta?

• 1, 2, 3

• 2, 3, 4

• 2, 3, 5

• 3, 4, 5

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

The diagram shows where a rock layer called the Tamiami Formation exists in Florida. The table lists the types of fossils found in this formation. Which conclusion about the Tamiami Formation is supported by evidence in the diagram and table?

• The Tamiami Formation is shrinking in size as new fossils are created.

• The Tamiami Formation is currently growing in size as new sediments are deposited. 

• The part of Florida containing the Tamiami Formation was once underwater.

• The part of Florida containing the Tamiami Formation is currently below sea level.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

A satellite camera in space took this picture of northwestern Algeria, showing an impact crater, sedimentary rock layers, and a stream channel flowing out of the crater. Algeria is at the northern end of the African continent. The Algerian landscape includes a large portion of the Sahara Desert and two mountain ranges. Based on evidence in the picture, how has this area been affected by geologic processes?

• An ancient stream channel left deposits that built up over time to form the sedimentary rocks surrounding the stream. A meteorite’s impact changed the direction that the stream flowed, which led to mountain ranges forming downstream from the crater.

• Lava flows from volcanic eruptions created sedimentary rock layers; heavy rains formed a stream channel; and a meteorite’s impact evaporated the stream water, leaving the area without a water source and creating a desert.

• A meteorite impacted Earth, creating a low-lying area where water filled in to create a stream channel. The stream channel carried sediment with it, eventually forming the surrounding layers of sedimentary rock.

• Layers of sediments were compacted to form sedimentary rock; a meteorite impacted Earth after the sedimentary layers were formed; and water erosion formed a stream channel from the meteorite’s impact zone.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

 A curved groove is placed on a level table, as shown. A ball is pushed in the groove at P so that it exits the curve at Q. How would the ball move after it leaves the groove at Q?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Juan studies the diagram representing three sedimentary layers in a rock sequence, as shown. The rock layers have not experienced any folding or faulting. Juan claims that layer X formed between 498.5 million and 488.3 million years ago.

Which two statements support Juan’s claim?

1. The oldest age that Layer X could be is 516.0 million years ago.

1. 2. The youngest age that Layer X could be is 488.3 million years ago.

2. 3. The oldest age that Layer Z could be is 498.5 million years ago.

3. 4. The youngest age that Layer Z could be is 445.6 million years ago.

• 1 and 3

• 1 and 4

• 2 and 3

• 1. 2 and 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

 A group of students are building a scale model of the solar system using different objects to represent the mass of each planet. The table below shows their data for the four inner planets. Based on the information above, what should be the mass for the object that represents Mars?

• 1.0 kg

• 2.0 kg

• 4.0 kg

• 8.0 kg

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3