Science Vocabulary

Question 1

Meteorite

Answer 1

A small object from outer space that passes through earth’s atmosphere and reaches the surface.

Question 2

Impact crater

Answer 2

A round pit left behind the surface of a planet after a smaller object strikes the surface.

Question 3

Universe

Answer 3

Space and all the matter and energy in it.

Question 4

Gravity

Answer 4

The force that objects exert on one another because of their mass.

Question 5

Umbra

Answer 5

The dark central region of a shadow such as the cone of complete shadow cast by an object.

Question 6

Comet

Answer 6

A body that produces a coma of gas and dust, a small icy body that orbits the sun.

Question 7

Tide

Answer 7

The rise and fall of the oceans caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun.

Question 8

Equinox

Answer 8

In an orbit, a position and time in which sun shines equally on both hemispheres.

Question 9

Asteroid

Answer 9

A small rocky body that orbits the sun.

Question 10

Gibous moon

Answer 10

More than half but less than fully illuminated.

Question 11

Axis of rotation

Answer 11

An imaginary line about which a turning body such as earth rotates.

Question 12

Heliocentric theory

Answer 12

A sun centered theory of the universes.

Question 13

Orbit

Answer 13

The path of an object in space as it moves around another object due to gravity.

Question 14

Meteor

Answer 14

A brief streak of light produced by a particle entering earth’s atmosphere at high speed.

Question 15

Satellite

Answer 15

An object that orbits a more massive object.

Question 16

Geocentric theory

Answer 16

Earth’s centered theory of the solar system.

Question 17

New moon

Answer 17

The entire surface of the moon is not illuminated.

Question 18

Solstice

Answer 18

In an orbit, a position and time during which one hemisphere receives the maximum sunlight.

Question 19

Galaxy

Answer 19

Millions and billions of stars held together in a group by their own gravity.

Question 20

Ellipse

Answer 20

An oval a or flattened circle.

Question 21

Full moon

Answer 21

The entire surface of the moon is illuminated.

Question 22

Mare

Answer 22

A large dark plain of solidified lava on the moon.

Question 23

Quarter moon

Answer 23

Half of the moon is illuminated.

Question 24

Penumbra

Answer 24

A region of lighter shadow that may surround a dark central region.

Question 25

Waning

Answer 25

The gradual decrease in the illuminated surface of the moon.

Question 26

Terrestrial planet

Answer 26

A planet that has a rocky surface.

Question 27

Astronomical units

Answer 27

Average distance from the sun which is 93,000,000 miles.

Question 28

Gas giant

Answer 28

A large planet that consists mostly of gases in a dense form.

Question 29

Seasons

Answer 29

One of a pattern of temperature changes and other weather trends over the course of a year.

Question 30

Solar system

Answer 30

The sun and its family of orbiting planets and moons and other objects.

Question 31

Crescent moon

Answer 31

The illuminated surface is less than a quarter illuminated.

Question 32

Revolution

Answer 32

The motion of one body around another, such as the earth in its orbit around the sun.

Question 33

Waxing

Answer 33

The gradual increase of the illuminated surface of the moon.

Question 34

Eclipse

Answer 34

An event during which one object in space casts a shadow onto another.