Science Year 4

Unit 6 :

The Earth And The Universe

Lesson 1 :

Our Solar SystemThe Universe

The Earth

Our Solar System

NeptuneUranus

Saturn

Jupiter

OuterPlanets

MarsEarthVenusMercury

InnerPlanets

Sun

Comet

Asteroid Belt

The Sun

Is a star, a hot ball glowing gases at the heat of solar system.

Largest object in the solar system.

Without the sun’s intense energy and heat, there would be no life on Earth.

Convection Zone

Radiation Zone

Core

Photosphere

Corona

Mercury Closest planet to the Sun. The Smallest planet in the

solar system. Heavily cratered surface

can reach 801 F ( 427 C ) No atmosphere to trap the

heat, night time temperatures plummet to -279 F ( -173 C )

。 。

。 。

Venus( earth’s sister planet)

Similar to Earth in size and mass.

Its atmosphere is primarily carbon dioxide.

Permanent blanket of clouds traps heat, creating surface temperatures hot.

Reflective cloud cover makes it the brightest.

Earth( The big blue marble )

The only planet to support life.

Is a complex system of air, water, and land.

Thin and dynamic veil of atmosphere.

Rapid spin and molten nickel-iron core give rise to a magnetic field.

Mars( the red planet)

Rocky planet’s surface has seen volcanoes, meteor impacts, shifting tectonic plates, and huge dust storms.

Seasonal temperature fluctuations.

Jupiter( the giant )

Largest planet. Mainly hydrogen and helium

atmosphere resembles that of our sun.

Saturn( the ringed planet )

Gas giants. Made of hydrogen and

helium. Has 3 wide rings.

Uranus( the blue planet )

Spins on a axis that often points directly at the sun.

Methane gas in its atmosphere.

Neptune( the outermost planet )

Bright blue coloring from methana gas in its atmosphere.

Pluto( celestial snowballs )

Dwarf Planets. In 2006, petite Pluto was stripped of

its planet status and down graded to dwarf planet.

Asteroid belt

Between Mars and Jupiter.

asteroid

Chunks of rock that travel around the sun.

comet

meteor

Balls of rock and ice that grow tails as they approach the sun.

Gas and dust are expelled and trail behind them as it heat up.

Meteorite impacts velocities

Tiny rocks which probably come from the asteroid belt.

Meteorite impacts velocities.

PlanetDistance from

Sun ( million Km )

Mass of Planet( x1022 kg)

Time for 1 Orbit of Sun

( days )

Mercury

Venus

Earth

Mars

Jupiter

Saturn

Uranus

Neptune

Pluto

58 33 88

108 487 224.7

150 598 365.2

228 64.2 687

778 109,000 4,332

1,429 56,900 10,760

2,871 8,690 30,700

4,504 10,280 60,200

5,913 1.49 90,600

Exercise1. What is the closest planet to the Sun?2. What planet is famous for the beautiful

rings that surround it?3. What is the hottest planet in our solar

system?4. Can humans breathe normally in space as

they can on Earth?5. Is the planet Neptune bigger than Earth?6. What planet is known as the red planet?7. Is the sun a star or a planet?8. Who was the first person to walk on the

moon?9. Does the sun orbit the Earth?10.What is the name of the force holding us to

the Earth?

Mercury

Saturn

Venus

No

Yes

MarsA star

Neil ArmstrongNoGravity

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