The Solar System
What is the name of the system consisting of the Sun and all the objects that move around it?
Solar system
What is an astronaut?
A person who has been trained to travel and work in space.
Define renewable energy and give two examples.
Renewable energy comes from sources that are naturally replenished. Examples include solar energy and wind energy.
What is mass, and how is it measured?
Mass is the amount of matter in an object. It is measured in kilograms (kg) or grams (g).
A learner observes that the Earth spins once on its axis. What is this movement called, and what does it cause?
It is called rotation. Earth's rotation causes day and night.
Give two differences between the inner planets and the outer planets.
The inner planets are smaller, rocky planets with few or no moons. The outer planets are much larger and are mostly made of gases or other light materials, and many have moons.
Explain the purpose of a telescope.
A telescope is used to observe distant objects in space, making them appear clearer and easier to study.
What is non-renewable energy? Give two examples.
Non-renewable energy comes from sources that are limited and take millions of years to form. Examples include coal and natural gas.
What is an axis?
An imaginary line through an object around which it rotates.
A spacecraft is sent to Mars without a human crew. Which type of technology could be used to explore the planet, and give one advantage.
A robot or robotic rover could be used. It can collect information and explore dangerous areas without putting human lives at risk.
What is an orbit, and what is revolution?
An orbit is the path followed by an object around another object. Revolution is the movement of an object around another object.
What is a robot, and how can robots be useful in space exploration?
A robot is a machine that can perform tasks automatically or through instructions. Robots can explore planets, collect information and take photographs where humans cannot easily travel.
Give four reasons why electricity can be expensive.
Building and maintaining power stations is expensive.
Fuel used to generate electricity costs money.
Electricity must be transmitted and distributed over long distances.
Repairing and upgrading electricity infrastructure costs money
What is the asteroid belt, and where is it located?
The asteroid belt is a region containing many rocky objects. It is located between Mars and Jupiter.
A power station uses moving water to generate electricity. Is this renewable or non-renewable energy? Explain your answer.
Renewable energy, because the water cycle naturally replenishes water sources.
Explain why Mars appears red and name the coldest planet in the Solar System.
Mars appears red because its surface contains iron oxide (rust). Uranus is generally recognised as the coldest planet because its atmosphere can reach extremely low temperatures.
Explain the difference between rotation and revolution.
Rotation is the spinning of an object on its axis. Revolution is the movement of an object around another object.
Explain what an illegal electricity connection is and why it is dangerous.
It is an electricity connection made without permission. It can cause electric shocks, fires, damage to equipment and power outages.
Explain the difference between a conductor and an insulator.
A conductor allows electricity to flow through it easily, while an insulator resists the flow of electricity. Copper is a conductor, and rubber is an insulator.
A learner is given a diagram of the Solar System. The asteroid belt is shown between two planets. Name those planets and explain what the belt separates.
Mars and Jupiter. The asteroid belt separates the inner planets from the outer planets.
List the eight planets in the correct order from the Sun.
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
Describe the movement of the Moon around the Earth and its own axis.
The Moon revolves around the Earth and rotates on its own axis. It takes approximately the same amount of time to complete both movements, which is why we generally see the same side of the Moon from Earth.
Identify the input energy, output energy and controlling device of an electric kettle.
Input energy: Electrical energy.
Output energy: Heat energy.
Controlling device: The switch or thermostat, which controls the heating process.
What are gas giants? Give two examples.
Gas giants are large planets made mainly of gases and other light materials. Jupiter and Saturn are examples.
How do we get different seasons on earth
We get different seasons on Earth because the Earth’s axis is tilted at about 23.5° as it revolves around the Sun.