Asteroids and Comets
What is a ball of ice and rock that develops tails?
A comet.
What is the planet known for its rings?
Answer: Saturn
What keeps planets in orbit around the Sun?
The Sun's gravity.
What is a limitation of using physical models of the solar system?
They cannot accurately represent the vast distances between celestial bodies.
Where are asteroids primarily found?
Between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
Which planet has the largest number of moons?
Jupiter.
How does gravity affect the Moon’s orbit?
The Moon is kept in orbit around Earth by Earth's gravity.
How has our understanding of the solar system changed since 1543?
The heliocentric model (Sun at the center) replaced the geocentric model (Earth at the center).
What are the two largest types of celestial bodies in the solar system?
Asteroids and comets.
What is the primary characteristic of inner planets?
They are rocky and smaller in size.
What is the gravitational pull of Earth compared to the Moon?
Gravity on the Moon is weaker than on Earth.
What does a scale model of the solar system represent?
The relative sizes and distances of the planets from the Sun.
What is the difference between an asteroid and a comet?
steroids are made of rock and metal, while comets are made of ice, rock, and frozen gas.
What does the term "dwarf planet" refer to?
A celestial body that orbits the Sun and has not cleared its orbital path.
Why do planets not collide despite being in orbit?
They are in stable orbits due to gravitational forces
Why are models important in understanding celestial bodies?
They help visualize and conceptualize complex structures and movements in space.
What is the definition of a meteoroid?
A small rock or particle from space that can enter Earth's atmosphere.
What is the main difference between terrestrial and gas planets?
Terrestrial planets are rocky, while gas planets are composed mainly of gases.
How does gravity affect the motion of objects in space?
Gravity pulls objects towards each other, influencing their paths and orbits.
What is a fundamental error in the geocentric model of the solar system?
It incorrectly places Earth at the center of the solar system.