Astronomy Unit 6: Earth, Moon, and Mercury

An area that deflects and traps harmful particles; resulting from an interaction of Earth's magnetic field with solar "wind" (charged plasma) streaming from the Sun.

• Earth's Magnetic Field

• Magnetosphere

• Atmosphere

• Ozone Layer

If Earth were much smaller than it is now, it would not support life because it would not have enough mass to -

• collect needed radiant energy from the Sun.

• maintain a gravitational pull on the Moon.

• have sufficient gravity to hold an atmosphere.

• rotate on its axis once per day.

The inner planets are made of

• gases

• flames

• light

• rock

Earth is the only planet in our solar system known to support

• gravity

• moons

• life

• gas

What is the role of Earth's atmosphere in regulating temperature?

• It traps heat from the Sun.

• It provides oxygen for respiration.

• It dissolves many substances.

• It produces energy for Photosynthesis.

The Goldilocks Zone

• is where bears live

• is where a planet is too hot

• is distance from a sun that water can exist in liquid form on a planet

• is the tilt a planet needs in order to keep its temperature for life

Why are greenhouse gases important for sustaining life on Earth?

• They keep the air clean.

• They help keep Earth warm.

• They help keep water moving on Earth.

• They keep the wind from blowing too strongly.

Choose all the correct answers for why we don't have many impact craters visible on Earth.

• wind and water erosion

• plate tectonics

• not may meteorites hit the Earth

• the magnetosphere

What causes Earth's magnetic field?

• the moving liquid metal in the core

• plate tectonics

• the ozone and CO₂ in the atmosphere

• the Sun's solar winds

Where did Earth's oxygen come from?

• It came from comets and asteroids

• Early plants made it

• Animals made it

• It's been here since the Earth first formed