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Which of the earlier models of the Solar System, Geocentric or Heliocentric, is most similar to the Solar System as we know it to be today and why?

• A. Geocentric, because only the moon is shown orbiting the Earth.

• B. Geocentric, which includes all eight planets.

• C. Heliocentric, which includes all nine planets.

• D. Heliocentric, because the planets are orbiting the Sun.

Two of the models created to show the solar system were Ptolemy's geocentric and Copernicus's heliocentric. Which characteristic is the same for both models?

• A. The Earth revolves around the Sun.

• B. Uranus and Neptune are not included.

• C. The Sun is located at the center.

• D. The Earth orbits the moon.

Throughout history, several different models of the solar system have been proposed. One such model is shown below. According to a heliocentric model of the solar system, what should be located at position Q where indicated on the diagram?

• A. The Sun

• B. The Earth

• C. Jupiter

• D. The Moon

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Comets are astronomical bodies, made up of ice and dust, which orbit the Sun. During its elliptical orbit, a comet’s distance from the Sun varies. As a comet nears the Sun, what happens to the speed of its orbit?

• A. The speed decreases due to the gravitational pull of the Sun.

• B. The speed decreases due to an increase in orbit size.

• C. The speed increases due to the gravitational pull of the Sun.

• D. The speed increases due to a decrease in orbit size.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

The surface of Mercury has many more craters than the surface of Earth has. Which of the following statements best explains why Mercury has many more craters than Earth has?

• A. Mercury rotates faster than Earth does.

• B. Mercury has a smaller mass than Earth has.

• C. Mercury is much closer to the Sun than Earth is.

• D. Mercury has a thinner atmosphere than Earth has.

The Kuiper Belt is a region beyond Neptune that is 55 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun. It contains smaller bodies that scientists think are pieces left over from the formation of the Solar System. Which of the following best states how scientists know that the Kuiper Belt is part of our solar system?

• A. Objects within the Kuiper Belt orbit the Sun.

• B. Objects in the Kuiper Belt are located beyond Neptune.

• C. Objects within the Kuiper Belt are larger than Mercury.

• D. Objects in the Kuiper Belt are still visible with a telescope.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

While using his new telescope, Akeem finds and observes two objects in the night sky. He uses an app. on his cell phone which indicates that one object is a planet and the other is a comet. How are comets different from planets?

• A. Comets will develop a tail as they move closer to the Sun, while planets will maintain the same appearance.

• B. Comets will always be in the same place each night, while a planet will move across the sky.

• C. Comets are not part of the solar system, while planets stay in orbit within the solar system.

• D. Comets are gaseous balls of fire, while planets can be either gaseous or terrestrial.

Although Venus is almost twice as far from the Sun as Mercury, its surface temperature is much hotter. Which of the following is the best explanation for Venus’ high temperature?

• A. Venus does not have water, but Mercury does.

• B. Venus has a solid surface and Mercury does not.

• C. Venus rotates much faster as compared to Mercury.

• D. Venus has an atmosphere thick with greenhouse gasses and Mercury does not.