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Earth Science > Solar System > Flashcards

Solar System Flashcards

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1
Q

List the solid, rocky type, inner planets,, in our solar system.

A

Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.

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2
Q

List the planets that are the gas giant, outer planets, in our solar system.

A

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

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3
Q

What group of planets revolve faster around the sun - outer or inner?

A

Inner

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4
Q

Which group of planets has shorter years, inner or outer?

A

Inner

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5
Q

Which group of planets has the most moons - inner or outer?

A

Outer

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6
Q

Which group of planets has rings - inner or outer?

A

Outer

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7
Q

Which of these planets is an outer planet?

A) Mercury B) Venus C) Mars D) Uranus

A

Uranus

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8
Q

Which planet has been demoted to a dwarf planet or a minor planet?

A

Pluto

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9
Q

Which 2 planets have a retrograde rotation? (clockwise)

A

Venus and maybe Uranus

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10
Q

What is a nebula?

A

Birthplace of stars

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11
Q

Approximately when did the solar system form?

A

4.6 million years ago

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12
Q

What does “planet” mean?

A

Wanderer

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13
Q

What are changes in the apparent shape of a planet or moon called?

A

Phases

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14
Q

What happens to the average temperature of the planets as we move outward away from the sun?

A

Temperatures decline/drop

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15
Q

What are asteroids?

A

A large piece of rock or metal

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16
Q

Which object is more likely to have more craters, the moon or venus? Why is this true?

A

The moon, no protective atmosphere.

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17
Q

Which of these planets has the most eccentric orbit?

A) Venus B) Mercury C) Pluto D) Earth

A

Pluto

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18
Q

What does “eccentric” mean?

A

Elliptical

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19
Q

Which Earth motion contributes to seasons besides tilt/inclination?

A

Revolution around the sun

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20
Q

Is Earths orbital velocity greatest in January or July?

A

January

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21
Q

Which planets orbital velocity is greatest, Venus or Mars?

A

Venus

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22
Q

Which planet should be visible in the sky the shortest period of time, Venus or Jupiter?

A

Venus, it’s orbital velocity.

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23
Q

Which planets day is longer than its year?

A

Venus

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24
Q

Which planet is known as the ringed planet?

A

Saturn

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25
Q

Which planet takes the longest time to complete one orbit around the sun?

A

Saturn

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26
Q

Why does Mars not appear to stay in one position in the night sky?

A

It revolves around the sun

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27
Q

Which planet is known as Earth’s twin or Earth’s sister planet?

A

Venus

28
Q

Which planet is known as the “morning star” and the “evening star?”

A

Venus

29
Q

Which planet has a great red spot?

A

Jupiter

30
Q

What is the great red spot on Jupiter??

A

A giant hurricane like storm

31
Q

Which planet has rovers roaming its surface?

A

Mars

32
Q

What are large objects with a glowing tail, which revolve around the sun in very elliptical orbits, called?

A

Comets

33
Q

Which two solar system planets do not have moons?

A

Mercury and Venus

34
Q

In what year did the Apollo astronauts land on the moon?

A

1969 (Apollo)

35
Q

Which solar system bodies orbit takes it inside the orbit of Neptune?

A

Pluto

36
Q

Who discovered the four largest moons on Jupiter?

A

Galileo

37
Q

Which planet is tilted over on its side?

A

Uranus

38
Q

Which planet is known as the red planet?

A

Mars

39
Q

Is pluto at the very edge of the solar system? Explain.

A

No, there are still several other moons. This means more planets too.

40
Q

Which of the two main models of the solar system is closest to being the correct model?

A

Heliocentric

41
Q

Was Ptolemy’s model correct?

A

No

42
Q

How many known planets are there?

A

8

43
Q

List the planets in order:

A
  1. Mercury
  2. Venus
  3. Earth
  4. Mars
  5. Jupiter
  6. Saturn
  7. Uranus
  8. Neptune
44
Q

Which planets are terrestrial?

A

Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars

45
Q

Why are the called terrestrial planets?

A

They are rocky and solid

46
Q

List the gas giant planets?

A

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune

47
Q

Why are they called gas giants?

A

They are mostly made of gas, they are much less dense.

48
Q

Which planet has the most moons/natural satellites?

A

Jupiter

49
Q

How many moons does this planet have?

A

63+

50
Q

Which planet is known as the red planet?

A

Mars

51
Q

Which planet is named after the messenger of the gods?

A

Mercury

52
Q

What former planet is now categorized as a dwarf-planet?

A

Pluto

53
Q

Why was Pluto named this?

A

It’s too small to be considered a planet

54
Q

Which planet has vast oceans and is known to possess life?

A

Mars

55
Q

What is on Mars that makes life possible?

A

Water & 4 Seasons

56
Q

Which two planets (as far as we know) do not have moons/natural satellites?

A

Mercury & Venus

57
Q

Which planet has such a low density that it could float on water?

A

Saturn

58
Q

Which planet’s day is longer than its year?

A

Venus

59
Q

What solar system objects are known as shooting stars or falling stars?

A

Comets

60
Q

What is rotation?

A

The spinning of earth on its axis

61
Q

One rotation results in what?

A

Day and night

62
Q

How much is Earth inclined?

A

23.5

63
Q

How long does it take the Earth to rotate once?

A

24 hours

64
Q

What does this rotation motion cause?

A

Day and night (sun to move across sky)

65
Q

What is a revolution?

A

Earth’s yearly orbit

66
Q

Revolution results in what?

A

A year

67
Q

Around what object does the earth revolve

A

sun

Earth Science (7 decks)

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