Planetary Test Study Guide

Planetary Study Guide / Mr. Kinneyʼs Science Class Test on Wednesday, October 8th

Things you need to know A study guide for your test on Wednesday 1. The names of the planets and their order in distance from the Sun 1.1. 1.2. 1.3. 1.4. 1.5. 1.6. 1.7. 1.8.

Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune

2. The difference between the terrestrial (rocky) planets and the gas giants. 2.1. 2.2.

Terrestrial (the inner four): Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars Gas giants (the outer four): Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

3. How the Solar System formed (see Chapter 14, Section 1 for more information). 4. The names of the three dwarf planets: Ceres, Pluto, and Eris. 5. The difference between rotation and revolution. This was from the last test also, see Chapter 12 for more information. 5.1.

The apparent motions of the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars across the sky can be explained by Earthʼs rotation and revolution. Earthʼs rotation causes the length of one day to be approximately 24 hours. This rotation also causes the Sun and Moon to appear to rise along the eastern horizon and to set along the western horizon. Earthʼs revolution around the Sun defines the length of the year as 365 1/4 days.

6. The reason we have seasons: The tilt of Earthʼs axis of rotation and the revolution of Earth around the Sun cause seasons on Earth. The length of daylight varies depending on latitude and season (See Chapter 12 for more information). 7. You will need to know one or two characteristics about each planet that make them unique. We discussed each planet in class. Check your notes. Example: Venusʼs year is shorter than its day. Uranus rotates on its side. 8. There will be one question on the phases of the moon. You may be asked why we see the moon differently over the course of the month or you may be asked to label the correct phases of the moon. Remember, “waxing” means getting bigger; “waning” means getting smaller.