Name______
Test Date______
Parent Signature______
Universe and Solar System Test Study Guide
In this unit you will explore current scientific views of the universe and how those views evolved.
#1 Relate the Nature of Science to the progression of basic historical scientific models (geocentric, heliocentric) as they describe our solar system, and the Big Bang as it describes the formation of the universe.
#2 Describe the position of the solar system in the Milky Way galaxy and the universe.
#3 Compare and contrast the planets in terms of
Size relative to the earth
Surface and atmospheric features
Relative distance from the sun
Ability to support life
#4 Explain that gravity is the force that governs the motion in the solar system.
#5 Describe the characteristics of comets, asteroids, and meteors.
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As some point during this unit you will be asked to answer the following questions:
#1 How does the current model of the solar system differ from past models?
#2 How does the Earth differ from the other planets?
#3 Why does a star look different if you move from place to place?
#4 How could you tell a planet from a star if you look at the same constellations over several nights?
#5 How are asteroids and comets different?
#6 Why don't you float off in space when you are on the Earth?
#7 Why do planets never leave the solar system or fall into the Sun?
#8 Can we see our own galaxy in the night sky? Explain
1. ______is the study of the formation of the universe.
2. What makes up the solar system? (3 things) ______, ______
______, ______
3. What items in the solar system orbit the Sun? ______
______
4. Definition of AU: ______
______
5. What shape are most of the orbits of planets in the solar system? ______
6. The spinning of an object on its axis is ______and the movement of an
object around another object is ______.
7. One planetary year is ______and
one planetary day is ______
______
8. The speed of light is ______per second. It is a very accurate way to
measure distance because ______
______
9. Gravity is the force that keeps planets in ______and
governs the rest of the ______in the solar system.
10. The ______is always judged with respect to some other object or point, so the idea of absolute motion or rest is misleading.
11. Inertia and______combine to keep the planets in orbit. The ______
of an object and the ______between objects determine the force of gravity.
Theories
12. Scientific theories change when scientists discover ______
13. Observational evidence caused the ______of the solar system to be changed
from one in which the sun and planets ______to one in
which the Earth and planets ______
14. Prior to the 1500's it was believed that the earth was the ______
______This was known as the ______
15. ______first suggested the heliocentric system, where the sun is at the center of the planets.
16. With the use of telescopes, ______confirmed the heliocentric system.
17. Heliocentric Theory is ______and Geocentric Theory is
______
18. Who was Galileo? ______
______
19. The “Big Bang” is ______
20. List four things that support the big bang theory are
______
______
______
______
21. The Big Bang Theory states that the universe formed about ______
ago through ______.
22. The universe ______
Solar System
23. The planets of our solar system differ in ______,
______(rock or gas), surface and atmospheric features, and ______
from the sun.
24. Planets move around the sun in nearly______(circular type) orbits.
25. The sun is a ______star located near the edge of the Milky Way Galaxy.
26. The planets are divided into two groups. The ______are
smaller, closer to the sun, and have rocky surfaces, while the ______
are larger, farther from the sun and do not have solid surfaces.
27. Our solar system is a ______, located in the Milky Way Galaxy.
28. The Big Bang Theory states the solar system is ______years old.
List the 8 planets in order from the sun. ______, ______,
______, ______, ______,
______
Inner Solar System
29. List the Inner Planets in order by their distance from the sun______,
______, ______, &______
30. Name the terrestrial planets. ______, ______,
______, &______
31. Why do terrestrial planets have atmospheres? ______
32. What planet is closest to Earth in size and mass? ______
33. The coldest terrestrial planet is ______and the warmest terrestrial planet is ______
34. The smallest planet is ______
35. ______is the terrestrial planet with the densest atmosphere.
36. ______does not have any atmosphere.
37. Venus’ atmosphere is very dense and causes the planet to be much ______
than______
38. The Earth is the only body in the solar system that appears to be able to ______
Outer Solar System
39. List the Outer Planets in order by their distance from the sun______,
______, ______, &______
40. List the planets that have rings? ______, ______,
______, &______
41. List the gas giants in our solar system? ______, ______,
______, &______
42. What is in the rings that surround many of the planets? ______
______
43. This planet’s axis is tilted so severely it looks like it must have once been hit by another
planet sized object? ______
44. The largest planet is ______
Comets, Asteroids, Meteoroids
45. Comets and asteroids are objects ______that
______and vary in size, composition, and characteristics.
46. What is a comet? ______
______
47. Comets are chunks of ice and dust that revolve around the sun with ______
48. A comet is often called a ______
49. The tails of comets always point ______because
______
50. Asteroids are ______and can be found orbiting the Sun.
51. Many asteroids are found in the ______that is
between ______and ______.
52. The three locations in our solar system where asteroids are found are______,
______, & ______
53. Scientists suggest that the last massive asteroid that hit Earth landed approximately
______years ago.
54. Based on past asteroid activity, when is the next massive asteroid due to hit Earth?
______
______
55. Meteoroids are a ______found in space, and
usually come from a ______or ______.
56. A meteor is ______, a
meteoroid is a ______, and a
meteorite is a ______.
57. Why does a meteor glow? ______
______
Galaxy and beyond
58. The three types of galaxies are ______, ______, &
______
59. What type of galaxy is the Milky Way? ______
60. Our Solar System is located in______of the
______Galaxy.
61. An exploding star is known as a ______
62. A large cloud of dust and gas in space is called a ______
63. A large star that implodes because of gravity is a______
64. Constellations change because ______
65. All the constellations are located within the ______
66. Place in correct size order (planet, galaxy, star, universe, asteroid, meteor, constellation,
and solar system) ______, ______,
______, ______, ______,
______, ______, ______,
67. The Milky Way Galaxy contains star systems with ______,
______.
68. The Milky Way Galaxy contains ______and ______.
69. Explain how we see our own galaxy in the night sky ______
______
______
70. How could you tell a planet from a star if you look at the same constellations over several nights?
______
______
______
Vocabulary (Review the following terms prior to the test)
supernova, nebula, black hole, light year, geocentric, inner planets, outer planets, comet, asteroid, Copernicus, Galileo, heliocentric, Big Bang Theory, relative distance, gravity, rotation, revolution, AU, cosmology, orbit