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Unit 2 Gravity in the Solar System

Total questions: 24

Worksheet time: 30mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What keeps planets in orbit around the Sun?

a)

the Sun's mass

b)

the Sun's period of rotation

c)

the Sun's gravitational force

d)

the Sun's color

2.

The planets in the solar system are so far apart that scientists measure the distances between them in

a)

miles (mi)

b)

kilometers (km)

c)

astronomical units (AU)

d)

inches (in)

3.

All the inner planets

a)

have at least one moon.

b)

have thick atmospheres.

c)

are rocky and have a solid outer layer.

d)

are large.

4.

All the outer planets are made mostly of

a)

water ice.

b)

metal and rock.

c)

gas and liquid around the solid core.

d)

a rocky surface.

5.

The force of gravitational attraction between the Sun and Venus could be increased by reducing which of the following?

a)

The distance between the Sun and Venus

b)

the period of rotation of the Sun

c)

The mass of the Sun and Venus

d)

The speed of the orbit of Venus

6.

As the mass of objects increases, gravity

a)

increases

b)

decreases

c)

stays the same

7.

As the mass of objects decreases, gravity

a)

increases

b)

decreases

c)

stays the same

8.

As the distance between objects decreases, gravity

a)

increases

b)

decreases

c)

stays the same

9.

As the distance between objects increases, gravity

a)

increases

b)

decreases

c)

stays the same

10.
What holds the planets in their orbits around the sun?
a)
gravity
b)
speed
c)
string
d)
air currents
11.
Venus, Mercury, Earth, and Mars are what type of planet?
a)
Gas Giants
b)
Ice Giants
c)
Terrestrial Planets
d)
Exterior Planets
12.
What is responsible for smaller objects in space continuously circling/orbiting larger objects? 
a)
light-year
b)
air
c)
wind
d)
gravity
13.
The curved path in which a planet, satellite, or spacecraft moves in a circle around another object.  The path one object takes around another.
a)
rotate
b)
orbit
c)
moon
d)
revolve
14.
Any object with mass has gravity.
a)
True
b)
Sometimes
c)
False
d)
Never
15.
Two factors effecting the magnitude of the force of gravity between 2 objects are...
a)
mass and distance 
b)
mass and matter
c)
distance and weight 
d)
weight and mass
16.
Planets that are closer to the sun
a)
take more time to orbit
b)
take less time to orbit
17.
What is true of all planets in our Solar System?
a)
They are large bodies in space that orbit the Sun
b)
Planets do not move, only stars move
c)
Planets make their own light
d)
Planets are larger than stars
18.
True or False
The planets are all equally distanced from each other.
a)
True
b)
False
19.
What percentage of the mass of the entire solar system is due to the Sun?
a)
27%
b)
54%
c)
77%
d)
98%
20.
When did the Solar System form?
a)
4.6 thousand years ago
b)
4.6 million years ago
c)
4.6 billion years ago
d)
4.6 trillion years ago
21.

Draw the path of an object moving in space unaffected by the force of gravity.

22.

Draw the path of an object in space being affected by Earth's gravity.

23.

Objcts moving faster than the escape velocity

a)

Stay in orbit

b)

Escape the gravitational attraction

c)

Create elliptical orbits

d)

Spiral inwards

24.

Objects moving at minimal orbital velocity

a)

Escape the gravitational attraction

b)

Stay in an elliptical orbit

c)

Stay in a circular orbit

d)

Spiral inward