Formation of the Solar System
This theory explains that the solar system formed from a collapsing cloud of gas and dust.
The Nebular Hypothesis
These planets are rocky, dense, and closest to the Sun.
Terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars).
Earth’s rotation causes this regular phenomenon.
Day and night
Kepler’s 1st law states that planets move in this type of path around the Sun.
Elliptical orbits.
The Sun produces energy through this nuclear process.
Nuclear fusion
About how many billion years ago did the solar system form?
About 4.6 billion years ago
The outer planets are composed mainly of these two elements.
Hydrogen and helium
Earth’s axial tilt and revolution around the Sun are responsible for this.
The seasons
According to Kepler’s 2nd law, a planet moves faster when it is this relative to the Sun.
Closer to the Sun (perihelion).
In nuclear fusion, two hydrogen nuclei combine to form this element.
Helium
As the solar nebula collapsed, this shape formed due to its rotation.
A flat, rotating disk
What distinguishes dwarf planets from the other two planet types?
They orbit the Sun and are spherical, but they have not cleared their orbital paths.
What causes spring tides?
The Sun, Moon, and Earth aligned during full or new moon phases.
Kepler’s 3rd law relates orbital period to this measurement of the orbit.
The semi-major axis
Which layer of the Sun does energy produced in the core move through first?
The radiative zone
What caused the planets to clear their orbits of gas and dust?
Their gravity swept up remaining material.
Which two planets rotate differently (retrograde) compared to the others?
Venus and Uranus
Earth’s orbit is described as this shape
Ellipse/elliptical
Comets have high values of this orbital property.
Eccentricity
Which type of electromagnetic wave has the shortest wavelength and highest energy?
Gamma rays
Which process in the nebular hypothesis eventually created the Sun at the center?
Condensation of dense matter into a protostar.
Where in the solar system would you find most asteroids?
The asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
The point around which Earth and the Moon orbit due to gravity is called this.
The barycenter
What mathematical formula can describe orbital eccentricity?
E=d/l (eccentricity = distance between foci ÷ length of major axis).
Earth’s magnetic field and ozone layer protect us from these two types of harmful radiation.
Cosmic rays (magnetic field) and ultraviolet light (ozone layer).