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WorksheetsFormation of Planetary Systems Quiz
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 11mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Astronomers use _____ of the origin of the solar system based on current observations.
a)
scale drawings
b)
experimental theories
c)
models
d)
their knowledge
2.
Our solar system with 8 known major planets, asteroids & comets may or may not be
a)
as large as astronomers think it is.
b)
correct
c)
as full of gas & dust as other solar systems.
d)
unique
3.
In science, all _____ can change or become modified with new discoveries.
a)
theories
b)
reality
c)
knowledge
d)
history
4.
In our solar system, all major planets lie (roughly) in the same ____ & orbit in the same ____.
a)
plane, direction
b)
space, direction
c)
direction, plane
d)
area, space
5.
The fact that all of the planets orbit in the same direction as the Sun rotates indicates that
a)
the solar system is 5 billion years old.
b)
they all formed at about the same time & relative space.
c)
there is no such thing as retrograde motion.
d)
Pluto may have formed somewhere else.
6.
Which statement best describes the terrestrial planets?
a)
no or very few moons; solid surfaces; moderate atmospheres
b)
many moons; solid surfaces; extreme atmospheres
c)
no moons; non-solid surfaces; hot atmospheres
d)
they all orbit pretty close in to the Sun
7.
Why do terrestrial planets have high densities and solid surfaces?
a)
because they are made of rock
b)
lighter elements were stripped away by the Sun
c)
heavier elements were blasted away by the Sun
d)
no one really knows
8.
Which statement best describes Jovian or gas giant planets?
a)
few moons; low densities; moderate spin rates
b)
no moons; thick atmospheres; rapid spin rates
c)
many moons; thick atmospheres; rapid spin rates
d)
high densities; many moons; slow spin rates
9.
Why do Jovian planets have relatively low densities?
a)
their spin rates are fast
b)
they formed relatively close to the Sun & migrated outward
c)
because they have many moons to make up for it
d)
they formed farther from the Sun & kept lighter elements
10.
A ____ is a cloud of gas & dust that has contracted under gravity to form a star & planets.
a)
nebula region
b)
hydrogen dust field
c)
solar nebula
d)
galaxy
11.
A huge cloud of dust and gas that is the location for star formation is known as
a)
Planetisimal
b)
Protoplanet
c)
Nebula
d)
Red Giant
12.
What force draws matter together into a dense central core?
a)
Magnetism
b)
Gravity
c)
Inertia
d)
Fusion
13.
Gravity is the force of attraction between two objects and is due to their
a)
Mass
b)
Height
c)
Gas
d)
Nebula
14.
When the nebula begins to contract due to gravity the ____________ rises.
a)
Nebula
b)
Temperature
c)
Fission
d)
Magnetism
15.
As a nebula collapses it also begins:
a)
Expand
b)
Rotate
c)
Shake
d)
Turn to ice
16.
The Nebular Theory is:
a)
A theory on how the Milky Way galaxy was formed
b)
A theory on how the universe was formed
c)
A theory on how the solar system will be destroyed
d)
A theory on how the solar system was formed
17.
What materials could not survive the heat where the rocky planets were formed?
a)
Gamma Rays
b)
Plasma
c)
Ice and Gas
d)
Rocks
18.
Which of these is considered to be an inner planet?
a)
Pluto
b)
Neptune
c)
Jupiter
d)
Earth
19.
Galileo proposed that our galaxy is heliocentric. What does this mean?
a)
the sun is the outermost edge of our galaxy
b)
the Earth is the center of our galaxy
c)
the sun is the center of our galaxy
d)
the Earth is the outermost edge of our galaxy
20.
What type of galaxy do we live in?
a)
Spiral
b)
Elliptical
c)
Irregular
d)
Coaxial
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