Solar System

Question 1

What are all the planets in order?

Answer 1

Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune

Question 2

Where is the Asteroid Belt located?

Answer 2

After Mars, before Jupiter

Question 3

What are the 4 terrestrial planets?

Answer 3

Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars

Question 4

What are the 4 gas giant planets?

Answer 4

Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune

Question 5

Why is Pluto not considered a normal planet and considered a dwarf planet?

Answer 5

• Too small
• Orbits in a different way

Question 6

Who was Kelper?

Answer 6

He discovered that the solar system rotates in ellipses (ovals) not circles

Question 7

What is the difference between Geo-Centric Model and Helio-Centric Model?

Answer 7

Geo-Centric Model - the Earth is in the centre of the solar system
Helio-Centric Model - the Sun is in the centre of the solar system

Question 8

Who was Galileo Galilei?

Answer 8

He was regarded as the “father of modern observational astronomy”

Question 9

What were Galileo Galilei’s major contributions to the scientific revolution?

Answer 9

Astronomy and Physics

Question 10

What 2 things did Galileo Galilei discover with his telescope?

Answer 10

He observed 4 moons orbiting Jupiter and he observed the phases of Venus

Question 11

What was Galileo’s contribution to the study of motion?

Answer 11

He conducted experiments on pendulums and made important contributions to the science of the strength of materials

Question 12

What was Galileo’s contribution to maths?

Answer 12

He wrote several mathematical pieces of work, including “Little Balance”, which described the centre of gravity

Question 13

What was the name of the work that covered the Copernican and Ptolemaic systems in an easy to understand way by Galileo?

Answer 13

Dialogue concerning the Two Chief World Problems

Question 14

How long does it take for the Earth to orbit around the Sun once?

Answer 14

365 1/4 days

Question 15

How long does it take for Earth to turn once on its own axis?

Answer 15

24 hours

Question 16

What zone is the Earth in?

Answer 16

The Goldilocks Zone - a habitable zone where isn’t not too hot (the water would boil) and not too cold (the water would freeze)

Question 17

What way does Earth spin on it’s axis?

Answer 17

From West to East (anticlockwise)

Question 18

How do seasons happen?

Answer 18

Seasons occur because the Earth’s axis is tilted at 23.5° to the vertical and when the northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, it is Summer there and Winter in the Southern Hemisphere because the Southern Hemisphere is facing away from the Sun. If the Earth didn’t have a tilt, the day length would be constant throughout the year and we would never experience seasons.

Question 19

What is a Solar Eclipse?

Answer 19

A solar eclipse is when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking out the Sun’s light partially or entirely. It can only be viewed from a specific region on Earth where the Moon’s shadow falls. This region is relatively small and is known as the “path of totality,” or the umbra where the Sun is completely covered. Outside this path, observers see a partial solar eclipse.
Way to remember: S (Sun) - M (Moon) - E (Earth)

Question 20

What is a Lunar Eclipse?

Answer 20

lunar eclipse is when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, causing Earth’s shadow to be cast on the Moon. Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is visible from anywhere on the night side of the Earth where the Moon is above the horizon. During a lunar eclipse, the Moon turns red because the only sunlight reaching the Moon passes through Earth’s atmosphere. The more dust or clouds in Earth’s atmosphere during the eclipse, the redder the Moon will appear.
Way to remember: S (Sun) - E (Earth) - M (Moon)