Gravity
Why can gravity only act on objects that have mass?
Answer: Gravity acts on mass, so only objects with mass are affected
Which measurement stays the same no matter where an object is located?
Answer: Mass
Why is the Sun classified as the most influential object in the solar system?
Answer: It has the greatest gravitational force
What physical feature classifies planets as inner planets?
Answer: Rocky or solid surfaces
What makes an object a celestial object?
Answer: It is a naturally occurring object in space
How does increasing an object’s mass change its gravitational influence on other objects?
Answer: Increasing mass increases gravitational force
Which measurement depends on gravitational force?
Answer: Weight
Why do planets orbit the Sun instead of orbiting smaller objects like asteroids?
Answer: The Sun has much greater mass and gravity
Why are outer planets called gas giants?
Answer: They are large and do not have solid surfaces
Which celestial objects listed are found within the solar system?
Answer: The Sun, planets, moons, asteroids, comets
Why does gravity govern motion in the solar system rather than stopping all motion completely?
Answer: Gravity controls motion by pulling objects into orbits rather than stopping them
Why does the weight table show different values for the same object on different planets?
Answer: Each planet has a different gravitational force
How does the asteroid belt help distinguish between inner and outer planets?
Answer: It lies between Mars and Jupiter, separating the two groups
How does composition help explain why outer planets are larger than inner planets?
Answer: Gas giants contain large amounts of gas, increasing size
How are planets and stars different based on how they appear in space observations?
Answer: Stars produce light, while planets do not
Explain why gravity causes planets to move in curved paths instead of straight lines.
Answer: Gravity pulls planets toward the Sun while they continue moving forward
Using the weight data, which planet has stronger gravity and how do you know?
Answer: Jupiter, because the object weighs much more there
What evidence from the solar system shows that gravity organizes objects into predictable paths?
Answer: Planets consistently orbit the Sun
Why would inner planets respond differently to gravitational forces than outer planets?
Answer: They have less mass than outer planets
Why are galaxies and nebulae classified differently than planets and moons?
Answer: They are much larger structures made of many objects
If two stars existed in space and one had much more mass than the other, predict how nearby objects would move around each star and explain why.
Answer: Objects would be more strongly pulled toward the more massive star because greater mass creates stronger gravity, affecting motion more strongly.
If a new planet were discovered and a 150-pound object weighed 200 pounds there, where would that planet likely fall compared to Earth and Jupiter in terms of gravity, and why?
Answer: Its gravity would be stronger than Earth’s but weaker than Jupiter’s because the weight is between Earth and Jupiter values.
If the asteroid belt suddenly disappeared, predict whether the inner and outer planets would change classification and explain your reasoning.
Answer: They would not change classification because planet type depends on composition and location, not the asteroid belt.
If Earth suddenly gained enough gas to double its size but kept the same rocky core, would it still be classified as an inner planet? Defend your answer using the PowerPoints.
Answer: Yes, because classification is based on rocky surfaces and location, not size alone.
If scientists discovered an object that is naturally occurring, extremely massive, and affects the motion of nearby objects, explain how it should be classified and why.
If scientists discovered an object that is naturally occurring, extremely massive, and affects the motion of nearby objects, explain how it should be classified and why.