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Questions and Answers
Describe the solar system.
Describe the solar system.
Place full of planets.
What is the Sun's diameter?
What is the Sun's diameter?
1.4 million kilometers.
How does the Sun's mass compare with the mass of the entire solar system?
How does the Sun's mass compare with the mass of the entire solar system?
Sun's mass is 99% of the solar system.
What is the most abundant element in the Sun? What is the second most abundant element in the Sun?
What is the most abundant element in the Sun? What is the second most abundant element in the Sun?
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What is the process by which the Sun produces energy? Explain briefly how it works.
What is the process by which the Sun produces energy? Explain briefly how it works.
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What are the three criteria of all planets?
What are the three criteria of all planets?
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How are planets different from dwarf planets?
How are planets different from dwarf planets?
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List five types of objects that orbit the Sun.
List five types of objects that orbit the Sun.
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Contrast the relative distance to the Sun of the inner and outer planets.
Contrast the relative distance to the Sun of the inner and outer planets.
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Contrast the composition of inner and outer planets.
Contrast the composition of inner and outer planets.
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Contrast the relative size of inner and outer planets.
Contrast the relative size of inner and outer planets.
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Name the inner planets in order (starting with the one closest to the Sun).
Name the inner planets in order (starting with the one closest to the Sun).
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What are four important facts about dwarf planets?
What are four important facts about dwarf planets?
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Name the outer planets in order (starting with the one closest to the Sun).
Name the outer planets in order (starting with the one closest to the Sun).
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Define asteroid. What are three important facts about asteroids?
Define asteroid. What are three important facts about asteroids?
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Define comet. What are three important facts about comets?
Define comet. What are three important facts about comets?
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Name four dwarf planets and state what region of space they are each located in.
Name four dwarf planets and state what region of space they are each located in.
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Define astronomical unit. State its length and explain why it is used.
Define astronomical unit. State its length and explain why it is used.
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Define 'rotation'.
Define 'rotation'.
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Define 'revolution'.
Define 'revolution'.
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Explain the relationship between a planet's speed and its distance from the Sun.
Explain the relationship between a planet's speed and its distance from the Sun.
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Define asteroid. Where are most of the asteroids located?
Define asteroid. Where are most of the asteroids located?
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What two factors determine the orbit of a planet? What would happen to a planet's orbit if it slows down? What would happen if it speeds up?
What two factors determine the orbit of a planet? What would happen to a planet's orbit if it slows down? What would happen if it speeds up?
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What two factors determine the amount of gravitational pull between objects?
What two factors determine the amount of gravitational pull between objects?
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Describe the shape of a planet's orbit. Contrast this shape to a circle in terms of appearance and focal points. What is the focal point that all planets' orbits have in common?
Describe the shape of a planet's orbit. Contrast this shape to a circle in terms of appearance and focal points. What is the focal point that all planets' orbits have in common?
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Study Notes
Solar System Overview
- Contains various celestial bodies, including planets, dwarf planets, moons, comets, and asteroids.
- The inner planets are closer to the Sun and composed of solid and rocky materials, while the outer planets are farther away and made of gas and ice.
The Sun
- Diameter of the Sun is approximately 1.4 million kilometers.
- The Sun's mass constitutes about 99% of the total mass of the solar system.
- The most abundant element in the Sun is hydrogen, followed by helium.
- Energy is produced through nuclear fusion, where hydrogen atoms collide and combine to form helium, releasing energy.
Planetary Characteristics
- A planet must orbit the Sun, be spherical in shape, and its mass must be significantly greater than that of other nearby objects.
- Planets differ from dwarf planets; dwarf planets do not have enough mass to dominate their orbital zones.
- The four inner planets, in order, are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. The outer planets are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
Objects in Orbit
- Types of objects orbiting the Sun include planets, dwarf planets, moons, comets, and asteroids.
- Asteroids primarily reside in the asteroid belt, located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
- Comets are characterized by their rocky composition and long glowing tails, primarily made of gas, dust, and ice.
Astronomical Measures
- An astronomical unit (AU) is the average distance from the Earth to the Sun, approximately 150 million kilometers. It simplifies distance measurements in space.
- Rotation refers to a planet's spin on its axis, while revolution pertains to the orbital travel around the Sun.
Motion and Forces in Space
- A planet's orbital speed inversely correlates with its distance from the Sun; closer planets orbit more slowly while those farther away move faster.
- The gravitational pull between two objects relies on their masses and distance; increasing either factor enhances the gravitational force.
- If a planet slows down, it risks falling toward the Sun, while an increase in speed could propel it away.
Dwarf Planets
- Not all celestial objects classified as dwarf planets are moons, and they do not have more mass than other nearby bodies. Examples include Ceres, Eros, Pluto, and Makemake.
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Description
Discover the fascinating details of our solar system, including the characteristics of celestial bodies such as planets, moons, comets, and asteroids. Learn about the Sun's formation and its vital characteristics, alongside the distinctions between planets and dwarf planets. Test your knowledge of this cosmic family and the forces that govern it.
