Planet & Order
This planet is the closest to the Sun. Name it.
Mercury
True or false: You can see the Sun during the daytime. If true, ask one question you could investigate about the Sun.
True; example question: How hot is the Sun’s surface?
If the Moon looks full tonight, what pattern about the Moon will help you predict how it might look in a few nights?
Example answer: The Moon goes through phases; after full it will get smaller (waning).
True or False: Earth is the closest planet to the Sun.
False (Mercury is closest).
The third planet from the Sun is our home. What is its name?
Earth
You notice a bright object in the night sky that moves slowly compared to stars. What question could you ask to learn if it is a planet or a star?
Example question: Does it move relative to background stars night to night (a planet will move)?
The planets nearer the Sun are usually rocky. Name one way this pattern helps you predict what Mercury or Venus is like.
Example: We predict Mercury or Venus have hard, rocky surfaces rather than being made of gas.
True or False: Mars is called the Red Planet because its surface has iron oxide (rust).
True.
Name the largest planet in our solar system.
Jupiter
A model shows that one planet has many moons and another has none. What observation would help you ask a good question about why some planets have moons and others don’t?
Example observation: Count moons shown in the model and compare planet size; then ask why larger planets might hold more moons.
You notice that some planets are small and some are large. Explain how recognizing this pattern can help you predict whether an unknown planet might have many moons.
Example: Larger planets tend to have stronger gravity and can hold more moons, so a large planet might have many moons.
True or False: Jupiter is the smallest planet in the solar system.
False (Jupiter is the largest).
Which planet is known for its big rings?
Saturn
After reading a short text about Mars, you wonder if it has weather like Earth. Write a testable question you could investigate about Mars’s weather.
Example testable question: Does Mars have wind that can move dust?
The further a planet is from the Sun, the colder it usually is. Use this pattern to predict whether Neptune is warmer or colder than Earth.
Example: Neptune is colder than Earth because it is much farther from the Sun.
True or False: Observations are only things you read in books, not things you see with your eyes or models you build.
False (observations include seeing, measuring, and using models).
Put these planets in order from the Sun outward: Earth, Mars, Venus, Mercury. (Write the order by planet name.)
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
You observe that Venus is very bright in the evening. Formulate a specific question you could investigate using books or a model to find out why Venus appears bright.
Example question: Is Venus bright because it is close to Earth or because its clouds reflect lots of sunlight?
Scientists see a pattern that planets with rings are often gas giants. Use that pattern to predict whether a newly discovered large planet might have rings and explain your reasoning.
Example: Yes — a newly discovered large gas giant might have rings because other gas giants do.
True or False: Patterns help scientists make guesses about what might happen next; give one sentence explaining your answer.
True; example explanation: Patterns let scientists predict events like phases or temperature differences.