Our Solar System (TEKS 7.9ABC)

Which statements below correctly describe an aobject located in our solar system?

Select TWO correct answers.

• The Sun is the star at the center of our solar system. Its gravity holds our solar system together.

• The solar system has ten plantes. The four closest to the Sun are rocky and have a moon, while the six outer planets are made of gases and have no moons.

• The solar system only contains the Sun and eight planets. Comets, meteors, and asteroids are not part of the solar system.

• Jupiter is one planet in the solar system. It has many moons and a very large mass.

• Earth is one planet in the solar system. It is the only object in the solar system that has water in any form.

Tags

7.9A

Which of the following represents characteristics of the four planets farthest from the Sun?

• Smaller planets

• Gas giants

• Rocky (terrestrial) planets

• 3 or less moons

Tags

7.9A

Which of the following represents characteristics of the four planets closest to the Sun?

• Larger planets

• Gas giants

• Rocky (terrestrial) planets

• 4 or more moons

Tags

7.9A

Mars is very similar to the Earth.  Which of the following statements describes a property of the Earth, but NOT a property of Mars?

• An abundance of liquid water is located on the planet.

• One or more moons orbit the planet.

• The planet is constantly in motion.

• The orbital path is predictable.

Tags

7.9A

Which of the following best describes meteors?

• Solids with irregular shapes, some of which are larger than Pluto, that mostly orbit the Sun between the orbits of Mars and Venus

• Solids that range in size from dust to small rocks that are scattered throughout the solar system, often due to the breakup of comets, that burn in a brief bright display when they enter Earth’s atmosphere

• Solids made of rock and ice with very elliptical orbits that originate beyond the orbit of Neptune and release gas and dust in a bright display that can last weeks when they pass close to the Sun

• Solids that orbit many planets in our solar system, many of which are asteroids or comets that have been caught by the gravitational pull of the more massive planet they orbit

Tags

7.9A

What force keeps the planets in their continuous orbits around the Sun?

• Rotation

• Gravity 

• Revolution 

• Magnetism

Tags

7.9B

Many objects within our solar system remain in constant motion and maintain predictable orbital patterns.  What force governs the motion and patterns of objects in our solar system?

• The force of gravity keeps the Sun, asteroids, and comets orbiting in an elliptical pattern around the Earth.

• The force of gravity keeps planets, asteroids, and comets orbiting in an elliptical pattern around the Sun.

• The equal and opposite force between the Sun and the Earth keeps the comets and asteroids orbiting in an elliptical pattern.

• The Sun moves in an elliptical pattern and the planets, comets, and asteroids follow the gravity of the Sun in an elliptical pattern.

Tags

7.9B

The Sun is the center of our solar system and creates a large amount of gravitational force.  If this system lost the Sun, what would happen to the planets?

• The planets would explode.

• The planets would stop moving.

• The planets would travel in a different path.

• The planets would continue on their same path.

Tags

7.9A

The two most abundant gasses in Earth’s atmosphere are nitrogen and oxygen.

Which planet would most likely be able to support life from Earth? 

• Planet A

• Planet B

• Planet C

• Planet D

Tags

7.9A

Which of the following characteristics of the Sun helps life to exist on Earth?

• Characteristics 1, 2, and 3

• Characteristics 2 and 3

• Characteristics 2, 3, 4, and 5

• Characteristics 3, 5, and 6

Tags

7.9A