Formation of our solar system

• What unexpected objects can you see in the night sky?

  Comets and meteors
• What does the Solar System contain besides the Sun and planets?

  Moons and various other objects
• What are comets made of?

  Frozen rocks
• How do comets appear when they return near the Sun?

  They heat up and emit light
• What are meteors commonly known as?

  Shooting stars
• What happens to meteors when they enter Earth's atmosphere?

  They burn up
• Where do most asteroids orbit in the Solar System?

  Between Mars and Jupiter
• What is a nebula?

  A giant cloud of gas, rocks, and dust
• How did the Sun form?

  From a nebula due to gravitational attraction
• What did the Sun's heat do to the inner Solar System?

  Evaporated ice and drove gas away
• Where did rocky planets form in relation to the Sun?

  Near the Sun
• Where does Pluto orbit in the Solar System?

  Beyond the giant planets
• How do planets move around the Sun?

  In circular or almost-circular orbits
• What is the Earth’s position from the Sun?

  Third planet
• What is the 'habitable' zone around the Sun?

  Where temperature allows liquid water
• What is a star's source of light?

  Fusion
• How does a planet differ from a star?

  Planets reflect light; stars produce light
• What is the relative mass of a moon?

  Small
• What does an artificial satellite do?

  Orbits a larger body and is man-made
• What is the relative mass of an artificial satellite?

  Very small
• What is the direction of resultant force in an orbiting body?

  Inwards
• How does speed and velocity differ in orbiting bodies?

  Speed is constant; velocity changes direction
• What does it mean for an orbiting body?

  It is essentially falling around a planet
• Why doesn't the Earth crash into the Sun?

  Force acts at 90 degrees to motion
• What happens to energy in the Earth's orbit around the Sun?

  No energy is converted into kinetic energy