Solar System Stemscopes

Astronomers track asteroids as they move throughout our solar system. The path of an asteroid is illustrated below. What force is most responsible for the path this asteroid follows?

• Gravitational pull from the Earth

• Newton’s 1st law of motion that says objects want to travel in a straight line

• Centripetal force that governs objects will move in circular patterns

• Gravitational pull from the sun

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

A student was designing a model of the solar system and used a golf ball to represent the Earth. Which two objects could the student use to represent Jupiter and the Moon?

• a baseball as Jupiter and a basketball as the moon

• a grape as Jupiter and a marble as the moon

• a basketball as Jupiter and a marble as the moon

• a beach ball as Jupiter and a soccer ball as the moon

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

What is stopping the Moon from flying off in a straight line away from the Earth?

• Electromagnetic attraction between the Earth and Moon

• Electromagnetic attraction between the Sun and Moon

• Gravitational pull between the Sun and Moon

• Gravitational pull between the Earth and Moon

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

The following chart was placed in a student's journal.

What criteria did the student most likely use to separate the two sets of planets?

• planets with and without moons

• terrestrial planets and gas giants

• planets with water and planets without water

• planets with atmospheres and planets without atmospheres

In 1996, the comet Hale Bopp came close to Jupiter and its orbit around the sun changed from 4200 years to 2380 years. For scientists to understand the orbital changes in the comet Hale Bopp, first they must understand -

• the composition of Jupiter

• the magnetic attraction of objects

• gravitational pull of objects

• the similarities of planets and comets

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS2-5

Within our solar system is a collection of planets, moons, asteroids, and other smaller objects. Which will MOST likely share characteristics?

• all the gas giants

• all the planets

• everything in our solar system

• rotation cycles of the planets

A student writes the following in his notes: This object in space is much bigger than Earth. It is mostly gas and is generally round. It has many moons and is closer than Saturn to Earth. Which of these is the student describing?

• Sun

• Jupiter

• Venus

• Mars

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Which planet in our solar system is known for having the most extensive ring system?

• A) Earth

• B) Mars

• C) Saturn

• D) Jupiter

What is the primary reason for the seasons on Earth?

• A) The distance from the Sun

• B) The tilt of Earth's axis

• C) The shape of Earth's orbit

• D) The speed of Earth's rotation

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Which of the following planets is known as the 'Red Planet'?

• A) Venus

• B) Mars

• C) Jupiter

• D) Mercury