The Solar System - Paper 1 Flashcards
(16 cards)
Which galaxy is our solar system in?
The Milky Way
How many planets are in our solar system?
8
What is a terrestrial planet primarily made of?
Silicate rocks or metals
What is a gas giant composed of?
Mostly gases, such as hydrogen or helium, with a relatively small rocky core
Name the 8 planets of the solar system
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
What are Dwarf Planets?
Very Small Planets
Do not have moons
E.g. Pluto
How many stars are in our solar system?
1
The Sun
Name the only star in our solar system
The Sun
What are moons?
Natural satellites with almost circular orbits
What are asteroids?
Lumps of rock and metals that orbit the sun, usually found in the asteroid belt
What are comets?
Lumps of ice and dust with highly elliptical orbits of the sun
Describe the orbits of the planets
Almost circular
What provides the centripetal force for planets?
Gravity
Name the centripetal force for planets
Gravitational force
What is instantaneous velocity?
The velocity of an object at a specific point in time
The instantaneous velocity of a planet keeps it moving in a circle despite the gravitational force pulling the planet towards the sun
What does it mean for an orbit to remain stable?
The object stays on its predetermined path
because its speed is precisely balanced by the gravitational force so the body doesn’t spiral inward or escape into space
