Solar System Organization

How does the heliocentric model compare to the geocentric model?

• A. The Earth is in the center of the Solar System in the geocentric model, while the Sun is in the center of the Solar System in the heliocentric model.

• B. The Sun is in the center of the Solar System in the geocentric model, while the Earth is in the center of the Solar System in the heliocentric model.

• C. The Rocky planets are towards the center of the Solar System in the geocentric model, while the gaseous planets are towards the center of the Solar System in the heliocentric model

• D. The gaseous planets are towards the center of the Solar System in the geocentric model, while the rocky planets are towards the center of the Solar System in the heliocentric model.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

3. Which term best describes the shape of the orbits of planets in our solar system?

• A. centripetal

• B. circular

• C. elliptical

• D. spherical

Early historical models of the solar system were geocentric. Which of these phrases describes a geocentric solar system?

• A. the sun as the center of the solar system

• B. elliptical orbital path of travel

• C. Earth as the center of the solar system

• D. circular orbital path of travel

The table below describes some properties of different planets in our Solar System. Use the information provided in the table to answer the following question.

Venus has a higher average temperature than Mercury, even though Mercury is closer to the Sun. Which of the following statements best explains why this occurs?

• A. The rotational period of Venus is longer than that of Mercury’s.

• B. The atmosphere on Venus is thicker than the atmosphere on Mercury.

• C. The atmosphere on Venus is thinner than the atmosphere on Mercury.

• D. The length of time it takes Venus to revolve around the Sun is longer than that of Mercury.

The diagram below illustrates how an object’s weight would change as it moves from one celestial body to another within our Solar System

• A. Earth has a larger gravitational pull than Saturn.

• B. Earth has a larger gravitational pull than Neptune.

• C. Earth has a larger gravitational pull than Uranus.

• D. Earth has a smaller gravitational pull than the Moon

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Saturn is 9.5 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun, while Mars is only 1.5 AU from the Sun. Saturn is also larger than Mars. Based on this information, how does the average surface temperature on Mars compare to the average surface temperature of Saturn?

• A. Since Mars is closer to the Sun than Saturn, it has a higher average surface temperature

• B. Saturn is larger than Mars and absorbs more light, so it has a higher average surface temperature.

• C. Since both planets are more than 1 AU from the Sun, their average surface temperatures are equal.

• D. Even though Saturn is farther away, Saturn's rings cause it to have a lower average surface temperature.

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NGSS.MS-PS1-4

What role did gravity play in the formation of the sun?

• A. Gravity caused the protoplanetary disk to become a planetisimal, which became the sun.

• B. Gravity caused the protoplanetary disk to rotate and form a solar nebula, which became the sun.

• C. Gravity caused the solar nebula to collapse toward the center, causing the center to be dense and hot

• D. Gravity caused small particles to collide to form larger particles called planetisimals, which eventually formed the sun.

Which of the following provides the best reasoning for how the planets form their spherical shapes while remaining in orbit around the Sun?

• A. The gravitational attraction of planets towards each other allows the planets to retain their shape and the gravitational pull of the Sun keeps them in orbit.

• B. The gravitational pull originating from the center of the planets allows the planets to retain their shape and the gravitational pull of the Sun keeps them in orbit.

• C. The gravitational attraction of the planets towards each other allowing them to keep their shape and the magnetic force exerted on the planets by the Sun keeps them in orbit

• D. The gravitational pull originating from the center of the planets allows the planets to retain their shape and the magnetic force exerted on the planets by the Sun keeps them in orbit.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

What factors determine the gravitational force between Moon and Earth?

• A. the mass of the two objects

• B. the diameter of the two objects

• C. the mass of the objects and how far apart they are

• D. the diameter of the objects and how far apart they are

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NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Gravity has a significant role in the formation of our Solar System. Which of the following provides the best reasoning for the role of gravity in the formation of individual planets and stars?

• A. Gravity keeps planets in orbit around the stars, helping them to form and maintain their shapes.

• B. Gravity pulls everything towards the center of a celestial body, allowing planets and stars to form and maintain their spherical shapes

• C. The gravitational attraction towards the center of a galaxy results in the spiral formation of that galaxy and the formation of planets and stars.

• D. The gravitational attraction between planets and stars is responsible for the formation of larger gaseous planets and stars versus the smaller, rocky planets.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2