Unit E Lesson 4: Earth and Our Solar System

 Learning Targets

Big Question: How does Earth compare to other objects in the solar system?
Earth has a very special combination of qualities that allows life to flourish on this planet. Every object in our solar system has certain things in common, and many other things that make each of them unique.

At the end of this inquiry, you should be able to answer the following questions:

  • What are the differences between inner and outer planets?
  • What is another name for inner planets?
  • What is another name for outer planets?
  • What are asteroids?
  • Where are asteroids most densely located?
  • What is a comet?
  • What is the difference between meteoroids, meteors, and meteorites?
  • What are the names of the eight planets listed according to their proximity of the Sun?

Pages 392 to 398 in your textbook will help you answer these questions about the solar system.


 Try It!

Practice Worksheet: Planet Comparison

  1. DOWNLOAD this practice worksheet (S9_UE_S1_L4_planet_compare). If you prefer to use a Google Drive or PDF version of the worksheet, click here.

  2. Do you like living on Earth? Have you ever considered what it would be like to live on one of the other planets in the solar system?  What might be some of the challenges involved in living on another planet?

    For this lesson, you will research the planets of our solar system to see what life would be like if you lived on one of them.

    Answer the questions on the worksheet as you work through the readings and videos in this lesson.

  3.  When you are satisfied with your responses you can check your work by clicking on the "SUGGESTED ANSWERS" button below.

    Wait! Don't view the suggested answers first. This practice work is not for marks, it is meant to help you check your understanding. Check the answers AFTER doing the questions! Keep the practice worksheet for study purposes. If you don't understand something, contact your teacher!

Figure 1 – What do you know about the other planets of our solar system?





  1. Terrestrial planets are the four inner planets closest to the Sun.  They are smaller and rockier in composition.

  2. Gas giants are known as the outer planets or Jovian planets.  They are more gaseous, larger, and farther from the Sun.

  3. Asteroids are large rocky or metallic bodies that orbit the sun as planets do.  Asteroids are much smaller than planets and are not spherical. Many of these asteroids travel in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

  4. Comets are small, icy celestial bodies that travel through the solar system.

  5. Meteoroids are pieces of rock that fly through space without a particular orbit or path.  Meteors are meteoroids that enter the Earth's atmosphere. Meteorites are meteors that do not burn up in the atmosphere but hit the Earth's surface intact.

Watch

The eight planets that orbit the Sun are divided into two groups – inner planets and outer planets. The inner or terrestrial planets are the four planets that are closest to the Sun – Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. They are rockier in composition to the four outer large and gaseous planets – Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. With the exception of Mercury and Venus, all other planets are orbited by at least one moon. The largest planet, Jupiter, is orbited by 28 moons. Some of Jupiter's moons are larger than Earth.

 
 
The solar system also contains smaller objects – asteroids, comets, meteors, meteoroids, and meteorites that are moving through space. These objects vary in size, composition, and movement.


 
 
The solar system is made up primarily of the Sun and the eight planets that orbit the Sun. Our Sun is a mid-sized star in the Milky Way galaxy. The Sun’s mass produces the gravitational force that causes the planets and other objects to orbit it.


Interactive


The Solar System
 
  1. This BrainPOP video reviews the solar system. Click here to watch "The Solar System".

    You will need a username and password to access the video.
    • Username: 0099
    • Password: students

  2. Click here to complete the quiz on The Solar System. Remember to check your answers at the end!