Worksheet 1

Worksheet 1: Planets Answer the following questions in your workbook. Remember to show all calculations that you have made to reach the answers. 1. Compare the planets Earth, Jupiter and Uranus in terms of diameter. 2. Orbital eccentricity and the inclination of the axis are known as determining factors of glacial periods. What are the values of these two factors of the Earth? 3. Are moons and satellites the same thing? If so, is it possible for a planet to have more than one moon? 4. It is said that all planets had the same atmospheric composition and that volcanic activity on Earth changed this composition to that of present day. This was the driving force behind evolution. What are the main gasses comprising Earth’s atmosphere? 5. What is the distance between the sun and the planet furthest away from it? 6. What is Earth’s distance from the sun and what is the resulting temperature (in Kelvin) making Earth the only planet where life is possible? 7. What are the variations in gravity from the equator to the poles of planets and what planet has the greatest gravitational force? (Answer must be in Newton) 8. Heavy metals are concentrated in the core of the Earth and lighter metals towards its surface. What is taken as the mean density of Earth? 9. Which planets have rings around them and what is the reason for these rings? 10. What is the reason for seasonal changes on Earth and what is the cycle period of these changes?

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11. What velocity must an object reach to escape the gravitational pull of: a. b. c. d. e. f. g.

Mercury Neptune Venus Pluto Uranus Mars Jupiter?

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