NGSS Middle School

Earth formed in a swirling disk of matter surrounding the sun. As particles in the disk collided and stuck together, they grew larger and some eventually became planets. What force was responsible for the collisions between these particles?

• gravity

• solar radiation

• seismic waves

• radioactive decay

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Which statement correctly describes a difference in our solar system’s inner planets and outer planets due to gravitational effects?

• A. The inner planets are larger.

• B. The outer planets have more moons.

• C. The inner planets are more spread apart.

• D. The outer planets all have rocky surfaces.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Where in the solar system are most gases found, other than the sun? (Remember the Jovian planets also contain 2 ice giants)

• the inner planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars

• the outer planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune

• the Kuiper belt: disc of dwarf planets beyond the orbit of Neptune

• the asteroid belt: disc of asteroids between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter

Explain how the planets stay in orbit around the sun.

• magnetic forces

• solar forces

• gravitational forces

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Which of the following best describes an ecosystem?

• A community of people living in a particular area

• A collection of all the non-living things in an area

• A system comprising all living organisms in an area along with the non-living components of their environment, interacting as a system

• A group of interacting living organisms

Which question should you ask to find out the length of a planet’s year? (look at the picture to help you find the answer)

• A. How large is the planet?

• B. How long does it take the planet to orbit the sun?

• C. How much does the planet tilt on its axis of rotation?

• D. How long does it take the planet to rotate on its axis?

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Which of the following series summarizes the components of the solar system, from the center of the solar system outward?

• A. sun, outer planets, inner planets

• B. outer planets, inner planets, sun

• C. inner planets, sun, outer planets

• D. sun, inner planets, outer planets

Suppose that scientists observe a new orbital path for one of the planets. What will most likely happen to this model? (remember to X out the answers that do not make sense)

• A. The model will be adapted to reflect this new observation.

• B. Scientists will no longer use a model to study the solar system.

• C. Scientists will never again look at the work of the scientist who made this model.

• D. Scientists will ignore their observations and rely on the information shown in the model.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Which statement describes a limitation of the model? (it is something that the model cannot show)

• A. It cannot show how the planets orbit the sun.

• B. It cannot show the relative sizes of each planet.

• C. It does not show the gravitational force exerted by each planet.

• D. It does not show the order of the planets, from closest to the sun to farthest from the sun.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Which object orbits object E? (remember to only look at object E)

• A. object A

• B. object B

• C. object C

• d. Object D

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4