Solar System Flashcards
(39 cards)
What is it called when the earth has made one full orbit around the sun?
A revolution
What is the path that the earth takes as it moves around the sun?
An orbit
How many days does it take the earth to make one full revolution around the sun?
About 365 days (one year)
What causes the earth to have seasons?
It revolves around the sun on a tilted axis
What gives the earth day and night?
The rotation of the earth as it travels around the sun
Why does the sun appear to rise and set?
The rotation of the earth on its axis
How long does it take the earth to complete one full rotation?
24 hours
How many days does it take the moon to revolve around the earth?
About one month
Why does the moon look different throughout the month?
The positions of the earth and moon change throughout the month
What is earth’s moon?
A small rocky satellite (rock and rock fragments)
How large is earth’s moon compared to earth?
It’s about one-fourth (1/4) the diameter of the earth and one-eightieth (1/80) it’s mass
What is the moon like?
Extremes of temperature
No atmosphere
No life
No water
Why do the moon and sun appear to be about the same size?
Because the sun is so much farther away
What is the sun made of?
hot gases
What does the sun look like?
An average sized yellow star
How large is the sun compared to the earth?
About 110 times the diameter of the earth
How old is the sun?
Approximantly 4.6 billion years
What is our solar systems natural sorce of heat?
The sun
How many planets are in our solar system and revolve around the sun?
Eight
Why do the planets and their moons orbit the sun in our solar system?
The sun exerts a gravitational pull on the planets
List the planets in the correct order, moving away from the sun?
Mercury Venus earth mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Pluto
If our nine planets are grouped as inner outer planets what position is earth?
The third inner planet
Who far is earth from the sun?
150 kilometers
What is earth like?
A geologically active planet with a surface that is constantly changing a rocky inner panel
