Components of the Universe

A system of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter bound together by gravity is called -

• an asteroid

• a moon

• a galaxy

• a nebula

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Which of the following best describes a star? A star is a celestial body -

• composed of rock and metal with a very high density.

• that is too big to be an asteroid, but too small to be a planet.

• that rotates on an axis and revolves around the Sun.

• composed of gases that emit light due to nuclear reactions.

The universe has many different components. Which list places four components of the universe in the most likely order from smallest to largest?

• Planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies

• Planets, stars, galaxies, nebulae

• Nebulae, stars, planets, galaxies

• Galaxies, stars, planets, nebulae

A student learns that the sun is classified as a medium-size star and that many stars are much bigger and brighter. However, the student observes that other stars look very dim, even through a telescope.

Why do other stars look much dimmer than the sun?

• The sun appear yellow, which is more visible than other colors.

• The sun is much closer to Earth than other stars are

• Other stars are made up of different gases than the sun is.

• As light from other stars travels through space, it gets reflected.

In the diagram given, what happens as we move to the left?

• Stars Get Larger

• Stars get Colder

• Stars get hotter

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

The Milky Way galaxy is described as a disk of stars orbiting a central point on the disk. Which of these best explains why people on Earth cannot see the entire shape of the Milky Way?

• Earth is a part of this galaxy.

• Many more stars exist outside the galaxy

• The stars in the center of the galaxy are extremely small

• The center of the galaxy consists of a dense cluster of stars

A student makes a model of the sun-Earth system by swinging a ball around her head. Using this model, the student is trying to explain how Earth stays on a path around the sun.

The student explains that this path is the result of -

• the magnetic attraction between Earth and the sun

• potential energy stored in Earth that originated in the sun

• the gravitational attraction between the sun and Earth

• electromagnetic energy from the sun pulling on Earth

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Which of the following describes a nebula?

• A cloud of gas and dust where new stars form

• An oval-shaped cluster of densely packed stars

• An explosion at the end of a giant star’s life

• A star and all the planets that revolve around it

Which of the following best describes a nebula? A nebula is -

• a region in the solar system that is occupied by irregularly shaped bodies

• a large and icy celestial body with an irregular orbit around the Sun.

• a natural satellite created by the collision of two large asteroids.

• an interstellar cloud of dust, hydrogen, helium and other gases.

Which of the following best describes a galaxy? A galaxy is -

• a particle of debris in the solar system that does not act as a satellite of any planet.

• a visible body of liquid or frozen crystal droplets suspended above a planetary surface

• a massive system of stars, gas, dust and dark matter bound together by gravity.

• the visible path of a meteoroid as it enters Earth’s atmosphere.