8th Grade Earth Science

Which unit of measurement is used to measure distances within our solar system?

• inches

• kilometers

• miles

• Astronomical units

Answer explanation

Astronomical units are used to measure distances within our solar system, providing a scale that is more appropriate for such vast distances compared to inches, kilometers, or miles.

An astronomical unit is...

• The average distance between the Earth and the Sun

• The average distance between the Sun and Neptune

• The diameter of the sun

• The time it takes light to travel across our solar system

Answer explanation

An astronomical unit is the average distance between the Earth and the Sun, making it the correct choice among the options provided.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

What is Light Year?

• The distance travelled by light in a second

• The distance travelled by light in a minute

• The distance travelled by light in a year

• The distance travelled by light in a decade

Answer explanation

A light year is the distance that light travels in one year. Therefore, the correct answer is: The distance travelled by light in a year.

Pluto was changed to a dwarf planet because...

• it was too small and doesn't clear the area around it.

• no one like it, so they voted for it to be removed.

• it was too far from the sun and too cold to be a real planet.

• planets can't be made of rocky material.

Answer explanation

Pluto was changed to a dwarf planet because it was too small and doesn't clear the area around it.

___________ are similar to planets but are not large enough to have cleared their orbital region of other objects.

• dwarf planets

• comets

• asteroid belt

• Kuiper Belt

• Oort cloud

Answer explanation

Dwarf planets are similar to planets but have not cleared their orbital region of other objects, distinguishing them from regular planets.

The _________ is a region between the planets Mars and Jupiter containing thousands of rocky objects that orbit the Sun.

• dwarf planets

• comets

• Asteroid belt

• Kuiper belt

• Oort cloud

Answer explanation

The correct choice is the Asteroid belt, which is a region between Mars and Jupiter containing thousands of rocky objects orbiting the Sun.

A space rock that burns in the Earth's atmosphere; "shooting star".

• meteorite

• meteor

• meteoroid

• comet

Answer explanation

A space rock that burns in the Earth's atmosphere is known as a 'meteor', also referred to as a 'shooting star'. Therefore, the correct choice is 'meteor'.

A space rock that hits the site on Earth is called...

• meteor

• asteroid

• comet

• meteorite

Answer explanation

A space rock that hits the site on Earth is called a meteorite, making it the correct choice among the given options.

How are moons different from planets?

• moons orbit planets

• moons orbit stars

• planets make their own light

• moons are larger than planets

Answer explanation

Moons are different from planets because they orbit planets, while planets orbit stars. Moons do not make their own light and are generally smaller than planets.

When Earth spins, it turns around an imaginary line called a(n)

• rotation

• axis

• orbit

• ellipse

Answer explanation

When Earth spins, it turns around an imaginary line called an axis, making it the correct choice.