The Solar System and Big Bang Thoery

What is the name of the faint glow left over from the early universe that fills all of space?

• Cosmic Microwave Background

• Solar System

• Lunar System

• Stellar System

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'Solar System' because it refers to the Sun and all celestial objects that orbit it, including planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. The other options do not accurately describe this system.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-2

What is the Cosmic Microwave Background?

• It is leftover radiation from the early universe.

• It is a type of star.

• It is a planet in our solar system.

• It is a kind of comet.

Answer explanation

There are 8 recognized planets in our solar system: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet, reducing the total from 9 to 8.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-2

Which of the following is NOT related to the Cosmic Microwave Background?

• A) Early universe

• B) Big Bang

• C) Pluto

• D) Microwave radiation

Answer explanation

Pluto was reclassified as a 'dwarf planet' in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union, making it not a planet in our solar system. Mercury, Venus, and Mars are all recognized planets.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-2

What percentage of the solar system's mass is made up by the Sun?

• 50%

• 75%

• 99.8%

• 100%

Answer explanation

The Sun contains about 99.8% of the total mass of the solar system, making it the dominant body. This immense mass influences the orbits of all other celestial objects in the solar system.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

The Cosmic Microwave Background is a faint glow left over from the early universe. What is it a remnant of?

• The Big Bang

• A supernova

• A black hole

• A galaxy

Answer explanation

To be classified as a 'planet', a celestial object must orbit a star. This distinguishes planets from other objects like moons, comets, or asteroids, which do not meet the criteria for planetary status.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-2

Which planets in our solar system are rocky and closest to the Sun?

• Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars

• Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune

• Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn

• Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Neptune

Answer explanation

The four terrestrial planets in our solar system are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. These planets are characterized by their solid surfaces, unlike the gas giants Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

What kind of surface do planets like Earth have?

• Hard, rocky surfaces

• Gaseous surfaces

• Liquid surfaces

• Icy surfaces

Answer explanation

Terrestrial planets, like Earth and Mars, have hard, rocky surfaces composed of minerals and metals. This distinguishes them from gas giants, which have gaseous surfaces, and other types of planets with liquid or icy surfaces.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

What are three things an object must do to be called a planet?

• 1. Go around a star
  2. Be round because of its gravity
  3. Be the biggest thing in its path around the star

• 1. Be made only of gas
  2. Have rings
  3. Be the largest in the solar system

• 1. Have air
  2. Have life
  3. Be closest to the sun

• 1. Be seen without a telescope
  2. Have moons
  3. Spin on its axis

Answer explanation

To be classified as a planet, an object must orbit a star, have sufficient mass for a spherical shape, and dominate its orbit, meaning it must be the most massive object in its orbital zone. The other options do not meet these criteria.

Which of the following groups contains only gas giant planets?

• A) Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars

• B) Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

• C) Pluto, Ceres, Eris, Haumea

• D) Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus

Answer explanation

Gas giant planets are large planets with thick atmospheres, primarily composed of hydrogen and helium. The correct choice, B, includes Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, which are all classified as gas giants.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

What are gas giant planets mostly made of?

• Gases and liquids

• Rocks and metals

• Ice and dust

• Plasma and crystals

Answer explanation

Gas giant planets, like Jupiter and Saturn, are primarily composed of gases such as hydrogen and helium, along with liquid forms of these substances under high pressure. Thus, the correct answer is 'gases, liquids'.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1