wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

NEW

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Unit 3: Solar System Study Guide

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 10mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

A ___ star has a greater temperature than a ___ star.

a)

blue, red

b)

red, blue

c)

red, yellow

d)

yellow, blue

2.

In the image (not to scale), which phase of the moon would you observe from the earth?

a)

crescent

b)

full

c)

half

d)

new

3.

The tilt of the Earth's axis of rotation is responsible for the

a)

ocean's tides

b)

size of the moon

c)

brightness of stars

d)

Earth's seasons

4.

The stars in the night sky look as if they are slowly moving because

a)

the earth is moving

b)

they rotate around the sun

c)

they rotate around the earth

d)

the sun blocks them out at times

5.

What causes the phases of the moon as observed from the Earth?

a)

Filtering of the light from the moon due to the Earth's atmosphere.

b)

The tidal forces of the Earth's oceans change the appearance of the moon.

c)

Change in distance of the moon from the Earth as it orbits in an elliptical orbit.

d)

The angle of light from the sun as it reflects off the moon and viewed from the Earth's surface.

6.

Stars are grouped together according to patterns known as ___________________.

a)

galaxies

b)

orbitals

c)

solar systems

d)

constellations

7.

You know that the sun rises in the east every morning and sets in the west every evening. What is it that causes this to happen?

a)

the rotation of the sun on its axis

b)

the rotation of the earth on its axis

c)

the rotation of the earth around the sun

d)

the rotation of the sun around the earth

8.

The ______________ is an artificial satellite found low in Earth's orbit. It is the space home to scientists conducting research on microgravity, biology, physics, astronomy, and meteorology. It is also used for the testing of spacecraft systems and equipment required for missions to the Moon and Mars. This artificial satellite is called the

a)

lunar lander

b)

Galileo probe

c)

Hubble telescope

d)

International Space Station

9.

Why are constellations in predictable locations in the night sky, but planets are so hard to find?

a)

The stars are so far away we cannot tell how they move.

b)

The stars do not move but the planets move around Earth.

c)

The planets move around the sun much faster than the stars.

d)

Both Earth and the other planets are moving in orbits; the stars are not.

10.

The Earth belongs to the group of rocky planets that orbits between the sun and the asteroid belt. Place these planets in order, starting closest to the sun.

a)

Mercury-Earth-Venus-Mars

b)

Mercury-Venus-Earth-Mars

c)

Mercury-Venus-Earth-Saturn

d)

Venus-Mars-Earth-Jupiter

11.

Day and night are the result of the earth's rotation on its own axis and its location from the sun. As the earth spins on its axis, parts of the planet are in the sun while others are in the dark. In other words, the sun appears to rise and set. The parts of the world that are in daylight get warmer while the parts that are dark gradually lose the heat they absorbed during the day. What causes day and night on Earth?

a)

The Earth orbits the Sun.

b)

The Sun goes around the Earth.

c)

The moon rises causing night time.

d)

The Earth rotates or spins on its axis every 24 hours.

12.

Miguel enjoys observing the night sky. Which tool would Miguel use to observe distant objects in the night sky?

a)
b)
c)
d)
13.

Omitting Pluto, what is the last planet in the sequence of planets in our solar system?

a)

Jupiter

b)

Neptune

c)

Uranus

d)

Saturn

14.

Review the data in the bar graph. Which planet has the fastest rotation speed?

a)

Earth

b)

Jupiter

c)

Saturn

d)

Uranus

15.

Earth orbits the Sun every 365 days, causing seasonal patterns that vary by location. In the summer, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, receiving the greatest amount of solar energy than any other time of the year. What can be expected in the Northern Hemisphere during this season?

a)

warmer temperatures and decreased daylight

b)

cooler temperatures and increased daylight

c)

warmer temperatures and increased daylight

d)

cooler temperatures and decreased daylight

16.

Use the diagram to decide if the statement is true or false.


After a New Moon, the lighted side of the moon appears to grow bigger. This is called waning.

a)

True

b)

False

17.

Use the diagram to decide if the statement is true or false.


Sometimes you can see the moon during the day.

a)

True

b)

False

18.

Use the diagram to decide if the statement is true or false.


After the Full Moon, the lighted side of the moon appears to grow smaller. This is called waxing.

a)

True

b)

False

19.

Use the diagram to decide if the statement is true or false.


The Full Moon appears about two weeks after the New Moon.

a)

True

b)

False

20.

Use the diagram to decide if the statement is true or false.


The moon revolves around the Earth.

a)

True

b)

False