Unit 8 Test Review- Solar System A
​ nswers
1. The invisible universal force that is responsible for all of the
movements in our solar system is called G
​ ravitational Force
2. Which planet would you weigh the least on? M
​ ercury, because it is the
smallest
3. Which planet has the greatest gravitational force? J​ upiter, because it is
the largest.
4. The force of ​Gravity​ keeps planets, asteroids, and comets orbiting in
an elliptical pattern around the Sun.
5. What two countries were involved in the “Space Race”? S
​ oviet Union
and United States
6. What is a telescope used for? M
​ agnifies distant objects to make them
appear closer.
7. Are all of the planets equally spaced apart? Explain. N
​ o, the inner planets
are closer together than the outer planets. The outer planets are much more
spread apart.
8. Which planet is known for its bright rings? S
​ aturn
9. How much larger is Jupiter than Earth? ​ ​Jupiter is 14 times larger than
Earth.
10. Why does it take Neptune so long to revolve around the Sun? N
​ eptune
is the farthest away planet in our solar system, therefore it has the longest orbital
pattern.
11. How are Mars and Earth similar and how are they different? ​The same:
one or more moons, constantly in motion, predictable orbital path, both inner
planets. Different: Earth has liquid water, Earth has oxygen, Earth is closer to the
Sun, Mars is closer to the Asteroid Belt.
12. Describe each: Asteroid, Comets, and Meteors
Asteroids- made of rock, most are found in the Asteroid Belt
Comets- made mostly of ice, found in the Oort Cloud.
Meteors- when a meteoroid has burned up in Earth’s atmosphere.
13. How is the size of the Sun related to the planets orbiting motion in our solar system?
The Sun has a great size and mass creating a pull on the much smaller planets.
True or False
14. Earth moves closer and further away from the Sun on its orbital path.
False
15. Earth rotates on its axis. ​True
16. Earth is tilted at a 90 degree angle.​ False, a 45 degree angle
17. Earth orbits the Sun every year. ​True
18. The Sun revolves around the planets. ​False
19. The planets revolve around the Sun. ​True
20. Moons revolve around the planets. ​True
21. The planets rotate around the Sun. ​False
22. The moons rotate around the planets. ​False
23. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are called Gas Giants. ​True
24. The Earth rotates around the Sun as it revolves to cause day and night. ​False
25.The Earth revolves around the Sun as it rotates to cause day and night. ​True
26.The sun rotates around the Earth as it revolves to cause day and night. ​False
27. What planet did Galileo observe when he discovered the Galilean moons? ​Jupiter
28. What is the difference between a meteor, meteorite, and a meteoroid? ​Meteor
burns up in our atmosphere, meteorites land on Earth’s surface, and a meteoroid
travels through space.
​29. Draw the location of the Earth, Sun, and a New Moon.
30. Draw the location of the Earth, Sun, and a Full Moon​.