Category 1
What is the name of the galaxy that contains our Solar System?
The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains our Solar System.
Which planet is closest to the Sun?
Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun.
What is the name of Earth’s natural satellite?
The Moon is Earth’s natural satellite.
What causes the phases of the Moon?
The phases of the Moon are caused by the Moon orbiting Earth while reflecting sunlight.
What causes the seasons on Earth?
The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth as it orbits the Sun.
Name the two planets that are known as gas giants.
Jupiter and Saturn are the two gas giants.
What is the difference between the Solar System and the Milky Way?
The Solar System contains the Sun and the objects orbiting it, while the Milky Way is a galaxy containing billions of stars and solar systems.
What does the term “waxing” mean when describing the Moon?
Waxing means that the bright part of the Moon is growing larger.
Why is summer hotter than winter?
Summer is hotter because sunlight hits Earth more directly.
What is a constellation?
A constellation is a group of stars that forms a pattern in the sky.
List the first four planets in order from the Sun.
The first four planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars.
Why do the Northern and Southern Hemispheres experience opposite seasons?
The hemispheres experience opposite seasons because Earth is tilted on its axis.
What is the difference between a star and a planet?
A star produces its own light and energy, while a planet orbits a star and reflects light.
What does the Moon do with sunlight?
The Moon reflects sunlight.
What is found between Mars and Jupiter?
The asteroid belt is found between Mars and Jupiter.
Explain what a model is in science.
A model is a simplified representation of something that helps scientists understand it.
Why does the Moon appear to change shape during the month?
The Moon appears to change shape because we see different amounts of its lit side as it orbits Earth.
What are terrestrial planets made of?
Terrestrial planets are mainly made of rock.
Describe what waning means.
Waning means the bright part is shrinking.
Why is the Sun classified as a star?
The Sun is classified as a star because it produces its own light and energy.
Why are models useful in science?
Models are useful because they help scientists understand things that are too large, small or complex to study directly.
Explain why summer occurs in Australia when it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
Australia experiences summer when the Southern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, while the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun and experiences winter.
Name all 8 phases of the Moon in the correct order.
The 8 phases of the Moon in order are New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter and Waning Crescent.
Describe the difference between a gas giant planet and a terrestrial planet.
A gas giant is a large planet made mostly of gas, while a terrestrial planet is smaller and mainly made of rock.
What is a satellite?
A satellite is an object that orbits another object in space. Satellites can be natural, like the Moon, or human-made, like communication satellites.