Solar System Grade 3

What type of object is the Sun?

• A. A star

• B. A planet

• C. A comet

• D. A moon

The Sun is a giant ball of gases. It is not solid like the Earth. There is no ground to walk on.

The Sun produces heat and light that spreads through the solar system.

Which fact about the Sun tells why we have the warmth we need on Earth?

• The Sun is medium in size.

• The Sun produces light energy.

• The Sun is not solid like the Earth.

• The Sun produces thermal energy.

All of the following are true about the Sun EXCEPT —

• the Sun emits the light we see

• the heat from the Sun is reflected from the Moon to the Earth

• sunlight is Earth’s primary source of energy

• the Sun is mostly made up of gases

This graphic organizer shows information about the Sun. Which statement most likely completes Section 3?

• It is a large, flat circle.

• It is bright during the day but dark at night.

• It is about the same size as the Earth.

• It is made of gases.

Which component of the solar system provides light and thermal energy for the Earth?

• Mars

• The Sun

• The stars

• The Moon

A student made a model of how the Earth, Moon, and Sun orbit. She used ping-pong balls to

represent each one. She painted each one a different color. Then, she placed the Moon and

Earth close together and the Sun much farther away.

What is one limitation of the student's model?

• She used the same size balls.

• She painted them all different colors.

• She moved the Sun away from the Earth and Moon.

• She did not put the Earth in the middle of the solar system.

Which of the following is the most accurate model of how the Sun, Earth, and Moon move?

• A

• B

• C

• D

The model below represents the Sun, Earth, and Moon. How could the model of the Sun, Earth, and Moon be improved?

• Show that the Moon orbits the Sun

• Show that the Sun orbits the Earth and Moon

• Show that the Earth orbits the Moon and the Sun orbits the Earth

• Show that the Earth orbits the Sun and the Moon orbits the Earth

Which of these objects could be used to show the approximate sizes of the Earth and Moon?

• The volleyball as the Earth and marble as the Moon

• The basketball as the Earth and baseball as the Moon

• The baseball as the Earth and tennis ball as the Moon

• The marble as the Earth and tennis ball as the Moon

A student drew a model of the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon. What change should be made to make the model more accurate?

• Nothing should be changed.

• The Moon should be below the Sun.

• The Moon should be located on the other side of the Sun.

• The Sun should be larger than the Earth and the Moon.