Question

name: _ solar system trends mini - assessment directions: answer the following questions. 1. what do all inner planets have in common? a. they are rocky b. they are large c. they are long periods of revolution d. they have no moons 2. which of the following is not a characteristic of the outer planets? a. they are large b. they have short periods of rotation c. they have short periods of revolution d. they are made of gas 3. larger planets tend to: a. have a stronger gravity b. have a short period of rotation c. be made of gas d. all of the above 4. what do we mean when we say earth is in the \goldilocks zone?\ 5. what is the relationship between a planet’s distance from the sun and its period of revolution?

Explanation:

1. Inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) are rocky. They are not large, have varying revolution periods and some have moons.
2. Outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) are large, gaseous and have short rotation periods but long revolution periods.
3. Larger planets have stronger gravity due to more mass, often have short rotation periods and are usually gas - giants.
4. The "Goldilocks Zone" means Earth is at a distance from the Sun where conditions are just right for liquid water to exist, not too hot and not too cold.
5. According to Kepler's laws, the farther a planet is from the Sun, the longer its period of revolution.

Answer:

1. a. They are rocky
2. c. They have short periods of revolution
3. d. All of the above
4. It means Earth is at a distance from the Sun where conditions are just right for liquid water to exist, not too hot and not too cold.
5. The farther a planet is from the Sun, the longer its period of revolution.