solar system

• Which galaxy is our solar system part of?

  The Milky Way galaxy.
• How many planets make up our solar system?


  Eight (plus the dwarf planets).
• What do the planets in our solar system orbit around?


  The planets orbit around the sun.
• What type of celestial body is the sun?


  The sun is a star.
• What type of force pulled together the cloud of dust and gas to form the Sun?


  Gravitational force of attraction.
• What word is used to describe a cloud of dust and gas?

  A nebula.
• What type of reactions take place at the start of a star’s life cycle?

  Fusion reactions.
• What factor determines the type of lifecycle a star undergoes?


  The size of the star.
• Which two phases do all stars of the same or greater size than the sun undergo?

  1. Protostar phase 2. Main sequence phase
• What do stars of a similar magnitude to the sun become at the end of their life-cycle?


  A black dwarf.
• What two things can stars much bigger than the sun become at the end of their lifecycle?


  1. Neutron star 2. Black hole
• What two phases do stars of similar size to the sun go through between being a main sequence star and a black dwarf?


  1. Red giant 2. White dwarf
• What two phases do stars of greater size than the sun go through between being a main sequence star and a neutron star/black hole?


  1. Red super giant 2. Supernova
• What are produced during the fusion processes in a star?


  All of the naturally occurring elements.
• What condition is required for fusion reactions to occur in a star?


  Very high temperatures.
• How are elements heavier than iron produced?


  In a supernova.
• What type of nuclei fuse together to form heavier elements in a star?


  Hydrogen nuclei fuse to form heavier elements.
• How are elements distributed throughout the universe?


  Through the explosion of a massive star (supernova).
• What allows planets and satellites to maintain circular orbits?

  Gravity provides the gravitational force that acts as the object’s centripetal force.
• What type of satellite can a planet’s moon be described as?

  A natural satellite.
• Give two examples of artificial satellites.


  1. TV satellites 2. Satellites used for satellite imaging