Solar system

• What is the Solar System defined as?


  A group of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets
• What does the Solar Nebula Theory explain?


  The formation of the solar system, including the motions of the planets and the compositions and ages of the sun, planets, and meteorites
• Who proposed the Nebular Hypothesis and in what year?


  Pierre Simon de Laplace in 1796
• What does the Nebular Hypothesis state about the formation of the solar system?


  Hydrogen and other gases swirled around and condensed into the sun and its planets
• How does the Nebular Hypothesis describe the process of the nebula shrinking?


  As the nebula shrank, it rotated more rapidly and became somewhat flattened at the poles
• What forces contributed to the formation of planets according to the Nebular Hypothesis?

  A combination of centrifugal force from the nebula's rotation and gravitational force from the mass of the nebula
• What is the Fission Theory about the formation of planets?

  The sun burst open and planets and moons shot out at high speeds
• According to the Fission Theory, how did the moon begin orbiting the Earth?

  The moon lifted out from the Pacific Ocean on a high tide
• What does the Capture Theory propose about planets and moons?

  They were wandering around in space and were captured by the gravity of the sun and planets
• What is the Accretion Theory about the formation of Earth and the moon?

  Small chunks of material formed into Earth and the moon from a dust cloud
• What does the Planetary Collision Theory suggest about the origin of the moon?

  Earth collided with a small planet, causing an explosion that threw off rocks which became the moon
• What does the Stellar Collision Theory state about the formation of planets and moons?

  They spun off from the collision between stars
• What does the Gas Cloud Theory explain about the formation of planets and moons?

  Gas clouds were captured by the sun and formed into planets and moons at a distance
• What are the types of planets in the Solar System?

  1. Terrestrial planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
  2. Jovian planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
• What are terrestrial planets composed of?

  Rock, metals, with high densities
• What characterizes terrestrial planets in terms of rotation and magnetic field?

  They are slow in rotation, have weak magnetic fields, and lack rings
• What is Mercury known for?


  It is the smallest terrestrial planet in the solar system
• Why does Mercury experience extreme temperature swings?

  It has a thin atmosphere
• What is the composition of Mercury?

  Mostly iron and nickel with an iron core
• What significant findings were made on Mercury's surface in 2012?

  Evidence of organics and water ice in craters
• Why is it unlikely for Mercury to have a moon?

  Its gravity wouldn’t be able to hold on to a moon
• What is Venus known as?

  The hottest planet in the solar system
• What is unique about Venus's atmosphere?

  It is thick and toxic, trapping heat
• How does Earth differ from other planets in the solar system?

  It has extensive regions of liquid water
• What is the significance of Earth's atmosphere?

  It contains water vapor, which helps moderate daily temperatures
• How many moons does Earth have?

  One moon
• What is the impact of climate change on Earth?

  It is causing the climate to warm up due to greenhouse gases
• What is Mars known as?

  The Red Planet
• What significant features does Mars have?

  It has the largest mountain in the solar system and two small moons
• What evidence suggests Mars may have had conditions suitable for life?

  Presence of water ice and organics
• What are Jovian planets composed of?

  Gases with low densities
• What characterizes Jovian planets in terms of rotation and magnetic field?

  They rotate quickly, have strong magnetic fields, and many rings
• What is Jupiter known for?

  It is the largest planet in the solar system
• What creates the banded structure in Jupiter's atmosphere?


  Strong winds blowing east to west
• How many moons does Jupiter have?

  79 known moons
• What is unique about Jupiter's largest moon, Ganymede?


  It is the biggest moon in our solar system
• What are Saturn's rings known for?

  They are the most visible and well-known rings
• How many moons does Saturn have?

  53 named moons and 9 awaiting confirmation
• What gives Uranus its blue-green color?

  Methane gas in the atmosphere
• How many moons does Uranus have?

  27 moons