Solar System Quiz

The sun is at the center of the solar system and is made up of various chemical elements. Which element makes up more than 90 percent of the sun’s mass?

• carbon

• helium

• hydrogen

• oxygen

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

Which of these best describes the movement of a meteor?

• an object consisting of rock and metal that orbits Earth

• a small object that burns up when moving through Earth’s atmosphere

• an object composed of rock, dust, water, ice, and other frozen substances that speeds up when it is closer to the sun

• a small, irregularly shaped body of rock or organic material that orbits the sun in a path between Jupiter and Mars

The following table lists data for four comets in orbit around the sun. The comets are at different points in their orbits but at the same point in time.

• Brant

• Zigler

• Schier

• Rasmussen

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

The Oort cloud and the Kuiper belt are components of our solar system. The image is a simplistic illustration of our solar system. Write the letters of the responses in the correct column to indicate if they are properties of the Oort cloud or the Kuiper belt.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

The table lists the number of moons orbiting each planet. Complete the sentences explaining the differences in the numbers of moons. Write the letter of ONE correct answer on each line. Not all answers will be used. According to the table, the __________ planets have more moons. This is because their __________ mass gives them __________ gravitational pull, which caused them to attract __________ material from which to form moons.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

An image of the Earth-Moon-Sun system is shown. Which of these statements are supported by the model? Circle THREE correct answers.

• It takes the moon 365 days to orbit Earth.

• Earth’s orbit and its rotation are in the same direction.

• Earth and the moon move in the same direction as they orbit the sun.

• The sun exerts a greater gravitational force on Earth than does the moon.

• The sun’s gravity pulls Earth in a clockwise orbit as viewed from the North Pole.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Mercury and Earth both orbit the sun but at different speeds due to their orbits. Aphelion is the point of a planet’s orbit that is farthest away from the sun. Perihelion is the point that is nearest to the sun. Apply patterns of aphelion and perihelion to match the approximate speed with the position of each spot within an orbit. Write the letter of ONE correct answer in each box.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Which statement explains why liquid water contributes to the stability of Earth’s systems and is essential to sustaining life?

• Water dissolves many substances, allowing them to stay intact.

• Water cannot dissolve many substances, allowing them to stay intact.

• Water dissolves many substances, allowing important chemical reactions to occur.

• Water cannot dissolve many substances, allowing important chemical reactions to occur.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Which statement BEST supports the answer to Part A?

• It has the highest temperature ranges of any planet.

• Its temperature is always above the boiling point of water.

• Its temperature is always below the freezing point of water.

• This Its average temperature is between boiling and freezing points of water.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Describe what it means for a planet to be in the habitable zone AND identify its cause-and-effect relationship to water. Read the question carefully. Then write your answer and evidence on the lines provided.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4