Properties of the Planets in our Solar System (13.10) Star Test BLM 13.10

The Solar System (p. 418) Now we are going to take a close look at the specifics of the solar system. Each planet in our solar system is unique. We talked the other day that the Earth rotates and revolves:  What is this?  How long is it? 365 days, this is called an Orbital Period.

Orbital Period All the planets have different Orbital Periods. Why do the planets travel in orbits? This is only one of many ways to compare the planets.

Properties of the Planets in the Solar System (BLM 13.10) Average distance from the Sun: Why average… orbits not completely round. Orbital Period: All planets do not spin together. Average Diameter: Planets have peaks and valleys… even Earth. Time for Rotation: What’s rotation? Main Substances in the atmosphere:

Properties of the Planets in the Solar System (BLM 13.10) Mean surface temperature: Why mean? Density: What is it? Things more tightly compact. 1 cm 3 of water is less dense than 1 cm 3 of lead. Surface Gravity: Smaller # means people are lighter on that planet. Now, Look at the table to see if any characteristics of other planets are the same as the Earth. Are any planets inhabitable like Earth? Why?

Properties of Planets in our Solar System (BLM 13.10a)

Questions - p. 419 Answer in FULL sentences, leave space for extra comments. Take you time and THINK! 1. a) Name two planets that scientists think have no atmosphere. Mercury and Pluto have no atmosphere. b) Could the same reasons be used to explain the lack of atmosphere on both planets? Explain. b) Could the same reasons be used to explain the lack of atmosphere on both planets? Explain. These are the smallest planets and they have low surface gravities. This helps explain the lack of an atmosphere. Mercury is close to the Sun so its atmospheric gases have enough energy to escape.

2.Consider all the information in the table: a) Which planet appears to be most similar to Earth? Explain. Mercury, Venus, and Mars are most similar to Earth. (Diameter, Density, Surface Gravity, and they are relatively close to the Sun) b) Which planets could be grouped as those that are least similar to Earth? Explain. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are least similar to the Earth. (Large, low densities, extremely cold and far away from the Sun) c) Which planet seems to fit into a category by itself? Pluto has few features in common with the other distant planets.

3. Which planets have densities much lower than Earth’s? What can you conclude about these planets? Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune have low densities. They appear to have similar compositions.

4. Would the atmosphere on the four largest planets support Earth-type life forms? Explain. Life forms on Earth need oxygen, a gas that is not found in any of the atmospheres of the four large planets. Thus, these planets would not support Earth-like life forms.

5. Create a mnemonic sentence to help you remember, in order, the names of the planets. Ex. “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas” “My Very Elegant Mother Just Stared Until Nobody Played”