Exploring the Solar System Flashcards

Questions and Answers

How are planets affected by their location within the solar system?

Planets travel in an elliptical orbit around the sun, with those closer to the sun having faster average orbital speeds and receiving more heat, while those farther away are cooler.

What are the physical properties of Mercury?

Mercury has extremely hot temperatures on the side facing the sun, a little atmosphere, cold temperatures on the side not facing the sun, and is the smallest planet. A day on Mercury is almost as long as its year.

What are the physical properties of Venus?

Venus has a thick atmosphere, the hottest temperature of the planets, a size similar to Earth, rotates very slowly, and in the opposite direction. A day on Venus is longer than its year.

What are the physical properties of Earth?

Earth is the only planet with living organisms, has moving tectonic plates, is mostly covered in water, and has one moon with a very thin atmosphere. Signup and view all the answers

What are the physical properties of Mars?

Mars is known as the red planet due to iron oxide in its crust, has the largest canyon, two moons, and a very thin atmosphere. Signup and view all the answers

What are the physical properties of Jupiter?

Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system, known for its Great Red Spot, has a thick atmosphere with ammonia clouds and mostly hydrogen, and has 67 moons. Signup and view all the answers

What are the physical properties of Saturn?

Saturn features rings composed of ice and rocks, has no solid surface, and has 62 moons. Signup and view all the answers

What are the physical properties of Uranus?

Uranus has an axis that rotates in a reclining position, a series of rings composed of dust and rock, and has 27 moons. It is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, with methane clouds. Signup and view all the answers

What are the physical properties of Neptune?

Neptune has the strongest winds recorded in the solar system and a thick envelope of gases mainly consisting of hydrogen and helium. It has 14 moons. Signup and view all the answers

What are the physical properties of asteroids?

Asteroids are objects made out of rock and metal that orbit the sun but are too small to be considered planets. Signup and view all the answers

What are the physical properties of comets?

Comets are small, icy celestial bodies that have spectacular tails visible from Earth. Signup and view all the answers

Asteroids are objects made of and _ that orbit the sun but are too small to be considered planets.

rock, metal Signup and view all the answers

Most asteroids revolve around the sun in an orbit between those of _ and ___.

Mars, Jupiter Signup and view all the answers

They form a wide band called the Asteroid _______.

belt Signup and view all the answers

Other asteroids have orbits that cross Earth's orbit. These asteroids are called _________.

near earth objects Signup and view all the answers

Asteroids probably consist of matter that never agglomerated into a ______ when the solar system was forming.

planet Signup and view all the answers

The comet's core is composed of _ and _.

dust, ice Signup and view all the answers

Comets heat up and begin to ________ as they approach the sun.

melt Signup and view all the answers

The matter surrounding a comet's core is vaporized and forms a very bright halo of _, and an enormous cloud of __ envelopes the head of the comet.

gases, hydrogen Signup and view all the answers

Tiny particles expelled from the comet's core make up the dust's _____ of the comet, which is several million kilometers long.

tail Signup and view all the answers

Most comets orbit around the sun in very _______ orbits that take them out to the edge of the solar system, beyond Pluto's orbit.

eccentric Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Planetary Characteristics

Planets travel in elliptical orbits around the Sun, with closer ones moving faster due to stronger gravitational pull.
Temperature varies based on proximity to the Sun; inner planets are hotter, while outer planets are cooler.

Individual Planet Profiles

Mercury: Smallest planet with extreme temperatures; no atmosphere and no moons.
Venus: Thick atmosphere, hottest planet, rotates slowly in retrograde; has no moons.
Earth: Supports life, has moving tectonic plates and is mostly water; one moon with a thin atmosphere.
Mars: Known as the red planet due to iron oxide; has the largest canyon, thin atmosphere, and two moons.
Jupiter: Largest planet; features the Great Red Spot, thick atmosphere of ammonia and hydrogen; has 67 moons.
Saturn: Famous for its rings made of ice and rock; no solid surface, composed mostly of hydrogen and helium; has 62 moons.
Uranus: Unique axial tilt, rings of dust and rock; comprised mostly of hydrogen and helium; has 27 moons.
Neptune: Strongest winds in the solar system; thick atmosphere primarily of hydrogen and helium; has 14 moons.

Asteroids and Comets

Asteroids: Made of rock and metal, too small to be classified as planets, primarily found between Mars and Jupiter in the asteroid belt.
Near Earth Objects: Asteroids that have orbits intersecting Earth's orbit, called near-Earth objects.
Formation: Asteroids are remnants that never formed into planets during the solar system's creation.

Comet Structure and Behavior

Comet cores consist of dust and ice; they heat and melt as they approach the Sun.
The halo around a comet's core is made of vaporized gases, notably hydrogen.
The tail of a comet, sometimes millions of kilometers long, consists of tiny particles expelled from the core, extending behind the comet during its orbit.
Comets typically have highly eccentric orbits that can extend beyond Pluto.

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Description

Test your knowledge of how planetary location affects their orbits, speeds, and temperatures in our solar system. These flashcards cover essential concepts and details about each planet's unique characteristics based on their distance from the sun. Ideal for students looking to enhance their understanding of astronomy.