Our Solar System
What is the name of the star at the center of our solar system?
The Sun.
What is the name of a huge group of billions of stars?
A galaxy
What is anything that takes up space and has mass called?
Matter
What are the three common states of matter?
Solid, liquid, and gas
What force pulls objects toward each other?
Gravity
What is the path a planet follows around the Sun called?
An orbit.
What tool makes faraway objects appear closer and larger?
A telescope
What word describes how much matter is in an object?
Mass
Which state of matter has a definite shape and a definite volume?
Solid
What two important things does the Sun give Earth?
Light and heat.
How many planets are in our solar system?
Eight planets.
What is one complete spin of an object on its axis called?
Rotation
What is the amount of space an object takes up called?
Volume
Which state of matter has a definite volume but changes shape to fit its container?
Liquid
What does buoyancy describe?
An object's ability to float in a liquid or gas
What is the closest planet to the Sun?
Mercury.
What is one complete trip of an object around another object called?
Revolution
Which tool measures mass: a balance, a spring scale, or a graduated cylinder?
A balance
How do gas particles move compared with solid particles?
Gas particles are far apart and can move past each other easily. Solid particles are close together and have little freedom to move.
What is inertia?
Inertia is the tendency of a moving object to keep moving in a straight line.
What is the difference between rotation and revolution?
Rotation is when an object spins on its axis. Revolution is when an object travels around another object.
What is the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse?
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves between Earth and the Sun. A lunar eclipse happens when the Moon moves into Earth's shadow.
What is the difference between mass and weight?
Mass is the amount of matter in an object. Weight is the pull of gravity on an object.
What happens to a gas when the volume of its container increases?
The gas particles spread out to fill the larger space.
What is the Great Red Spot, and how long has it lasted?
It is a giant wind storm on Jupiter that has lasted for more than 400 years.