The Sun's Family

Front 1

The act or process of burning; chemical combination producing heat and light

Back 1

combustion

Front 2

Capacity for doing work, such as lifting or moving an object

Back 2

energy

Front 3

The splitting of atomic nuclei. Releases tremendous amount of energy

Back 3

fission

Front 4

Combining of two atomic nuclei to produce a nucleus of greater mass

Back 4

fusion

Front 5

Group of protons and neutrons forming the center of an atom around which electrons orbit

Back 5

nucleus

Front 6

Process by which plant cells make carbohydrates in the presence of chlorophyll and light

Back 6

photosynthesis

Front 7

Coming from the sun; given off by atomic reactions taking place inside the sun

Back 7

solar energy

Front 8

The major factor controlling weather is _____.

Back 8

temperature

Front 9

Uneven heating of the Earth's surface is due primarily to the position of the what?

Back 9

sun

Front 10

Select the forms or examples of solar energy:

Back 10

heat energy
solar oven
hydroelectric
petroleum
light energy

Front 11

The process by which plants convert sunlight to sugar is called what?

Back 11

photosynthesis

Front 12

Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen to the atmosphere.

Back 12

true

Front 13

Coal and petroleum are useful because they have energy stored in them.

Back 13

true

Front 14

A great amount of scientific evidence is available to indicate that coal:

Back 14

represents uprooted vegetation buried by flood waters

Front 15

It is more logical to believe that the complex life sustaining processes of the sun-Earth system were created because they rely on one another.

Back 15

true

Front 16

The sun's energy comes from the burning (combustion) of hydrogen like a huge fire.

Back 16

false

Front 17

The energy conversion process of nuclear ______ appears to best explain the source of solar energy.

Back 17

fusion

Front 18

what statements are related to nuclear fusion?

Back 18

nuclei combinations
mass converted to energy
E = mc²

Front 19

The sun's energy is released when mass is converted into energy.

Back 19

true

Front 20

Observing the sun's light through a spectroscope has indicated that the sun contains large amounts of what?

Back 20

hydrogen

Front 21

The planet closest to the sun is what?

Back 21

Mercury

Front 22

The giant 1,000 ft. diameter radio telescope was used to determine Mercury's period of ______.

Back 22

rotation

Front 23

Daytime temperatures on Mercury are extremely hot because:

Back 23

it is close to the sun
it has long days
it gives off internal heat

Front 24

Mercury has two satellites.

Back 24

false, it has none

Front 25

The force of gravity on Mercury is less than the Earth because:

Back 25

its mass is less

Front 26

Venus is located between the planets _______ and ______

Back 26

Mercury and Earth

Front 27

Like the Earth's moon, Venus has phases.

Back 27

true

Front 28

The rotation period for Venus is 243 days

Back 28

true

Front 29

The revolution period for Venus is 225 days

Back 29

true

Front 30

The mass of Venus is 0.82 times that of the Earth.

Back 30

true

Front 31

The atmosphere of Venus consists mostly of _____.

Back 31

carbon dioxide

Front 32

Heat buildup due to a "blanket" of dense clouds is referred to as the greenhouse effect

Back 32

true

Front 33

A day on Venus is longer than a year on Earth.

Back 33

false

Front 34

The direction of rotation of Venus is _____ to the direction of rotation of all other planets.

Back 34

backwards
retrograde
opposite

Front 35

Why is Venus called our "sister" planet?

Back 35

size, mass, and gravity similar to the Earth

Front 36

Earth rotates once in 23 hours, 56 minutes.

Back 36

true

Front 37

The mass and gravity of the Earth are used as a _____ of comparison with other planets.

Back 37

standard
measure

Front 38

The two major components of the Earth's atmosphere are _____ and _____.

Back 38

nitrogen
oxygen

Front 39

The major factor which causes seasonal weather changes on the Earth is:

Back 39

tilt of the axis

Front 40

The size and mass of Mars is similar to the Earth.

Back 40

false

Front 41

A day on Mars has nearly the same duration as the Earth.

Back 41

true

Front 42

Like Venus, the atmosphere of Mars consists mostly of carbon dioxide

Back 42

true

Front 43

It is not likely that any living organism could survive on the Martian surface because of:

Back 43

little protection from ultraviolet radiation

Front 44

How many satellites does Mars have?

Back 44

2

Front 45

these celestial bodies shine by reflected light

Back 45

planets

Front 46

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars

Back 46

terrestrial

Front 47

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

Back 47

Jovian planets

Front 48

The force of gravity on Mercury is less than the Earth because:

Back 48

its mass is less

Front 49

The direction of rotation of Venus is opposite to the direction of all other planets.

Back 49

true

Front 50

The mass and gravity of the Earth are used as a _____ of comparison with other planets.

Back 50

measure
standard

Front 51

The two major components of the Earth's atmosphere are _____ and _____.

Back 51

oxygen
nitrogen

Front 52

It is not likely that any living organism could survive on the Martian surface because of _____.

Back 52

ultraviolet radiation

Front 53

Galileo discovered 4 of Jupiter's sixteen satellites.

Back 53

true

Front 54

The rings of Saturn consist of particles of ice

Back 54

true

Front 55

The satellites of Uranus revolve around the planet in planes almost perpendicular to its orbit

Back 55

true

Front 56

The predicted location of Neptune was made possible because _____.

Back 56

of a detailed study of Uranus

Front 57

What is unique about Pluto's orbit around the sun?

Back 57

inclined more than other planets
most elliptical orbit

Front 58

The numerous asteroids may have been _____.

Back 58

a planet

Front 59

Most comets travel around the sun in elongated elliptical orbits.

Back 59

true

Front 60

Comets have long, indefinite life spans.

Back 60

false