Chapter 21

Question 0

Heliocentric

Answer 0

A description of the solar system in which all of the planets revolve around the sun.

Question 1

Geocentric

Answer 1

A description of the solar system in which all the planets revolve around the Earth.

Question 2

Ellipse

Answer 2

An elongated circle or oval shape; the shape of a planet’s orbit

Question 3

Inertia

Answer 3

The tendency of a moving object to continue in a straight line, or a stationary object to stay in place.

Question 4

Nuclear fusion

Answer 4

The process by which hydrogen atoms join together to form helium releasing energy.

Question 5

Core

Answer 5

The central part of the sun where nuclear fusion occurs.

Question 6

Photosphere

Answer 6

The inner layer of the sun’s atmosphere

Question 7

Chromosphere

Answer 7

The middle layer of the sun’s atmosphere

Question 8

Corona

Answer 8

The outer layer of the sun’s atmosphere

Question 9

Solar wind

Answer 9

A stream of electrically charged particles produced by the sun’s corona.

Question 10

Sun spot

Answer 10

A dark area of gas on the sun that is cooler than the surrounding gasses.

Question 11

Solar flare

Answer 11

An explosion of hydrogen gas from the suns surface that occurs when loops in sunspot region suddenly connect.

Question 12

Prominence

Answer 12

A loop of gas that protrudes from the sun’s surface.

Question 13

Terrestrial planets

Answer 13

The name given to the four inner planets; Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars

Question 14

Retrograde rotation

Answer 14

The spinning motion of a planet from east to west, opposite to the direction of most planets and moons.

Question 15

Greenhouse effect

Answer 15

The trapping of heat by a planets atmosphere.

Question 16

Gas giant

Answer 16

The name given to the first four outer planets; Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune

Question 17

Comet

Answer 17

A ball of ice and dust whose orbit is usually a long narrow, ellipse.

Question 18

Asteroid

Answer 18

An object that revolves around the sun that are too small and too numerous to be considered planets.

Question 19

Asteroid belt

Answer 19

The region of the solar system between the orbits of mars and Jupiter where many asteroids are found.

Question 20

Meteoroid

Answer 20

A chunk of rock or ice in space

Question 21

Meteor

Answer 21

A streak of light in the sky produced by the burning of a meteoroid in earths atmosphere.

Question 22

Meteorite

Answer 22

A meteorite that has hit earths surface.

Question 23

Extraterrestrial life

Answer 23

Life that arises outside of earth.