Test: The Solar System

1. What are the major properties of the Sun?

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Answer explanation

The major properties of the Sun include its massive size, high temperature (about 15 million °C at the core), and its composition primarily of hydrogen and helium. It also generates energy through nuclear fusion.

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

1. Why does Europa have a liquid ocean? Why do scientists think that Europa could have life?

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Answer explanation

Europa has a liquid ocean beneath its icy surface due to heat from tidal forces. Scientists believe it could harbor life because this ocean may contain essential chemicals and energy sources, similar to conditions on Earth.

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Sun is a sphere of plasma held together by

• gravity

• nuclear fusion

• magnetism

• electromagnetism

Answer explanation

The Sun is a massive sphere of plasma, and its immense gravitational force pulls all its mass inward, maintaining its spherical shape. While nuclear fusion occurs in its core, it is gravity that holds the Sun together.

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NGSS.HS-PS2-4

Sun is made of which state of matter

• Solid

• Gas

• Liquid

• Plasma

Answer explanation

The Sun is primarily composed of plasma, which is a state of matter where gases are ionized, allowing for the presence of free electrons and ions. This makes plasma the correct answer, as the Sun's extreme temperatures create this state.

The Sun's location

• The Sun is located on the Earth's surface.

• The Sun is located at the center of the Solar System.

• The Sun is located at the center of the Earth.

• The Sun is located in the Milky Way galaxy's outer rim.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is that the Sun is located at the center of the Solar System, where it exerts gravitational pull on the planets, including Earth. The other options incorrectly place the Sun in relation to Earth or the galaxy.

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

Sunspots occur in ___ year cycles

• 5

• 15

• 20

• 11

Answer explanation

Sunspots follow an approximately 11-year cycle, known as the solar cycle, where their number increases and decreases. This makes 11 the correct answer among the choices provided.

Solar prominences are

• small, dark spots on the Sun's surface

• clouds of gas surrounding the Earth

• frozen particles from the Sun's core

• large, bright features of plasma extending from the Sun's surface

Answer explanation

Solar prominences are large, bright features of plasma that extend from the Sun's surface. They are not dark spots, clouds of gas around Earth, or frozen particles, making the correct choice clear.

Plasma loops that connect two sunspots are called

• solar flares

• sunspot arcs

• magnetic filaments

• solar prominences

Answer explanation

Plasma loops connecting sunspots are known as solar prominences. They are large, bright features extending outward from the Sun's surface, often linking sunspots and are distinct from solar flares and magnetic filaments.

Largest object in the solar system

• The Sun

• Mars

• Moon

• Earth

Answer explanation

The Sun is the largest object in the solar system, containing about 99.86% of its total mass. In contrast, Mars, the Moon, and Earth are significantly smaller in size and mass compared to the Sun.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Kepler discovered that by using orbital period you can determine its ____ from the sun

• speed

• mass

• temperature

• distance

Answer explanation

Kepler's laws of planetary motion show that the square of the orbital period of a planet is proportional to the cube of its average distance from the sun. Thus, by knowing the orbital period, you can determine its distance from the sun.

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-4