1.
The first planet closet to the sun:
Correct Answer
D. Mercury
Explanation
Mercury is the correct answer because it is the closest planet to the sun. It is located about 36 million miles away from the sun, making it the first planet in our solar system. Venus, Earth, Mars, and Jupiter are all farther away from the sun compared to Mercury.
2.
The second planet from the sun:
Correct Answer
C. Venus
Explanation
Venus is the correct answer because it is the second planet from the sun. Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, Earth is the third planet, and Mars is the fourth planet. Therefore, Venus is the second planet in our solar system when counting from the sun.
3.
The third planet from the sun:
Correct Answer
D. Earth
Explanation
The correct answer is Earth because it is commonly known as the third planet from the sun. Earth is located between Venus and Mars in our solar system. It is the only known planet to support life and has a diverse range of ecosystems. Earth is characterized by its moderate climate, abundant water, and a variety of geological features including mountains, oceans, and continents.
4.
The fourth planet from the sun:
Correct Answer
A. Mars
Explanation
Mars is the fourth planet from the sun in our solar system. It is commonly referred to as the "Red Planet" due to its reddish appearance. Mars is smaller than Earth and has a thin atmosphere. It is known for its polar ice caps, volcanoes, and canyons. Mars is also a target for future human exploration and potential colonization due to its similarities to Earth and the possibility of past or present life.
5.
The fifth planet from the sun:
Correct Answer
C. Jupiter
Explanation
Jupiter is the correct answer because it is the fifth planet from the sun. Starting from the sun, the order of the planets is Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and then Jupiter. Therefore, Jupiter is the fifth planet from the sun.
6.
The sixth planet form the sun:
Correct Answer
D. Saturn
Explanation
Saturn is the correct answer because it is the sixth planet from the sun. In our solar system, the order of the planets from the sun is Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and then Saturn. Neptune and Uranus are farther from the sun and are therefore not the correct answers. Jupiter is the fifth planet from the sun, making it also an incorrect answer.
7.
The seventh planet form the sun:
Correct Answer
C. Uranus
Explanation
Uranus is the seventh planet from the sun. It is a gas giant and the third-largest planet in our solar system. Its unique feature is its tilted axis, causing it to rotate on its side. This gives Uranus distinct seasons and makes it different from other planets. It was discovered in 1781 by William Herschel and is named after the Greek god of the sky.
8.
The eighth planet from the sun:
Correct Answer
D. Neptune
Explanation
Neptune is the eighth planet from the sun. It is classified as an ice giant and is known for its vibrant blue color. It is the farthest planet from the sun in our solar system and has a thick atmosphere consisting mainly of hydrogen and helium. Neptune has a dynamic weather system with strong winds and storms, including the famous Great Dark Spot. Its composition is similar to that of Uranus, but it has a more active atmosphere.
9.
(Spelling counts)If an element is NOT a solid or a liquid it must be a:
Correct Answer
gas
Explanation
If an element is not in a solid or liquid state, it can only be in the gaseous state. Solids have a fixed shape and volume, while liquids have a fixed volume but can change shape. Gases, on the other hand, have neither a fixed shape nor volume and can expand to fill the entire space available to them. Therefore, if an element is not a solid or a liquid, the only remaining option is that it is a gas.
10.
(Spelling Counts!)What item orbiting around the Sun was "demoted" to a dwarf planet?
Correct Answer
Pluto
Explanation
Pluto was "demoted" to a dwarf planet. This means that it was once considered a full-fledged planet but was later reclassified as a dwarf planet. The decision to reclassify Pluto was made by the International Astronomical Union in 2006, based on new criteria for defining what constitutes a planet. As a result, Pluto no longer meets the criteria to be classified as a planet and is now considered a dwarf planet orbiting around the Sun.
11.
Our home galaxy is the:
Correct Answer
D. Milky Way
Explanation
The correct answer is Milky Way. The question is asking about our home galaxy, and the Milky Way is the name of the galaxy that contains our solar system. It is a barred spiral galaxy that is estimated to be about 13.51 billion years old. The Milky Way is home to billions of stars, including our own sun, and is just one of the many galaxies in the universe.
12.
Something that rotates around something else is called a(n):
Correct Answer
C. Orbiting Item
Explanation
An orbiting item refers to something that revolves or rotates around another object. In the context of celestial bodies, planets revolve around a star, while moons revolve around planets. However, the term "orbiting item" can also be used more broadly to describe any object that rotates around another object, such as a satellite orbiting the Earth or a spacecraft orbiting a planet. The term "stationary item" is not applicable here as it contradicts the concept of rotation or revolution.
13.
When something in space that takes up part of the environment is not a solid or liquid is deemed (or called):
Correct Answer
C. Gas
Explanation
When something in space that takes up part of the environment is not a solid or liquid, it is called a gas. In space, the absence of gravity allows particles to move freely and spread out, resulting in a gas-like state. Unlike solids and liquids, gases do not have a fixed shape or volume and can easily expand or contract to fill the available space. Examples of gases in space include the atmosphere surrounding planets and stars, as well as interstellar clouds.
14.
The Outer Planets are nicknamed:
Correct Answer
B. The Gas Giants
Explanation
The correct answer is "The Gas Giants." This nickname is given to the outer planets because they are primarily composed of gases, such as hydrogen and helium. These planets, namely Jupiter and Saturn, are much larger than the inner rocky planets like Earth and Mars. The term "Gas Giants" distinguishes them from the smaller terrestrial planets in our solar system. The other options, "The Big Ones," "The Gas Balls," and "The Big Gasses," are not commonly used nicknames for the outer planets. "Uranus" is one of the outer planets, but it is not a nickname for the group as a whole.
15.
A collection of stars, moons, Planets, Space Debris, Rocks and more in the universe is called a:
Correct Answer
C. Galaxy
Explanation
A collection of stars, moons, planets, space debris, rocks, and more in the universe is called a galaxy. Galaxies are massive systems of stars, gas, dust, and other celestial objects that are held together by gravitational forces. They come in various shapes and sizes and contain billions or even trillions of stars. Our own Milky Way is an example of a galaxy.
16.
Large Balls of Gas are seen on Earth as:
Correct Answer
C. Stars
Explanation
Large balls of gas that are seen on Earth are known as stars. Stars are massive celestial bodies made up of hot gases like hydrogen and helium. They emit light and heat due to the nuclear fusion reactions happening at their core. Stars are visible from Earth as bright points of light in the night sky. They play a crucial role in the universe, as they are responsible for generating and distributing energy, and they also serve as the building blocks for galaxies.
17.
Between Mars and Jupiter (the space between the inner and outer planets) is a large collection of rocks and debris that is our solar system's largest example of:
Correct Answer
C. Asteroid Belt
Explanation
The correct answer is the Asteroid Belt. The explanation for this is that between Mars and Jupiter, there is a region in our solar system where a large collection of rocks and debris is located. This region is known as the Asteroid Belt. It is the largest example of such a collection in our solar system and is composed of numerous asteroids of various sizes.
18.
Star Dust is:
Correct Answer
B. When tiny particles are seen from Earth.
Explanation
The correct answer is "When tiny particles are seen from Earth." This explanation is supported by the fact that "Star Dust" refers to the small particles or grains that are found in outer space and are visible from Earth. These particles can be remnants of stars that have exploded or disintegrated over time.
19.
The Gaseous Planets are the:
Correct Answer
B. Outer Planets
Explanation
The correct answer is "Outer Planets" because gaseous planets refer to those planets that are primarily composed of gas, such as Jupiter and Saturn. These planets are located in the outer regions of our solar system, beyond the asteroid belt. In contrast, inner planets, such as Earth and Mars, are primarily composed of rock and metal.
20.
Earth is an example of an:
Correct Answer
A. Inner Planet
Explanation
Earth is classified as an inner planet because it is one of the four terrestrial planets in our solar system that are located closer to the Sun. Inner planets, also known as rocky or terrestrial planets, are characterized by their solid and dense composition. They have a thin atmosphere and a solid surface, making them distinct from the outer planets, which are gas giants with thick atmospheres and no solid surface.