The Solar System

Which is the correct order for the first four planets in the Solar System, starting with the planet closest to the sun?

• Mars, Venus, Earth, Mercury

• Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars

• Venus, Earth, Mercury, Mars

• Mars, Mercury, Venus, Earth

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

1. Which best describes the physical properties of the comets?

• 1. Objects made of dust and ice orbiting far from the sun that emit gas and form a tail as they move closer to the sun.

• Celestial bodies that orbit a star at various distances and have significant mass.

Look at the image of the solar system.

Choose the locations where a comet could start its motion before developing a tail. Select all that apply.

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 5

• 6

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Which is NOT true of moons?

• Moons are a planet’s natural satellites.

• Earth’s moon affects our ocean tides.

• 1. Moons orbit the sun; they don't orbit the planets.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

How are asteroids, comets, and meteors related?

• 1. Meteors are small fragments that break from the icy bodies of comets or the rocky bodies of asteroids orbiting the sun and enter Earth’s atmosphere.

• Meteors are small fragments that break from the icy bodies of asteroids, or the rocky bodies of comets orbiting the sun and enter Earth’s atmosphere.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Which of the following is NOT true of the sun?

• The outer visible layer of the sun is called the photosphere.

• 1. The sun has multiple visible features that include solar prominences, solar flares, and sunspots.

• The sun orbits the center of the Milky Way.

• The sun has a solid core similar to Earth’s.

3. Which planets have more than one moon?

• Mercury

• Earth

• Mars

• Jupiter

• Neptune

3. The gravitational force of attraction between two objects _____ if the masses increase. The gravitational force of attraction between two objects _____ if the distance between them increases.

Which terms, in order of appearance, best complete the sentences?

• increases; decreases

• decreases; increases

• 1. increases; increases

• decreases; decreases

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

According to NASA, our moon moves approximately one inch away from Earth each year. As this pattern continues, how could the increased distance affect the orbital motion of the moon?

• The moon would orbit slower and have a greater orbital path.

• The moon would orbit faster and have a smaller orbital path.

• Since the change is small, nothing would happen.

• 1. The moon would orbit faster and have a greater orbital path.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS2-5

If there were no longer a gravitational force between Earth and the moon, what would happen to the moon’s orbit?

• The moon would continue to travel in a straight line at a constant speed, leaving its orbit.

• 1. The moon would continue to orbit Earth because of its inertia.

• The moon would continue to orbit Earth but at a greater distance.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4