The Solar System

Presented By: Hortense Hassan

THE SOLAR SYSTEM

Introduction

This assignment was design to teach multiple lesson

about the solar system and more to a Grade 6 class. From

this assignment pupils will learn about the Solar System,

the universe, planets, the Earth, the sun, as well as rotation

and revolution.

What is the Solar System?

In order to create a definition for the expression “solar system” it is important to break it down into the two words that comprises the expression. Firstly, the term "solar" is simply a word that means "of the Sun." Secondly, a system is just a collection of objects that interact to form a whole. Therefore, putting the two words together will create the following definition:

The solar system is a group of objects that interact with one another, the fundamental interaction for each object being the one it has with the Sun.

The Objects in Our Solar System

There are many different types of objects in the Solar System, research states that these are;

1 star (The Sun)

8 planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune)

5 dwarf planets (Pluto, Ceres, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris)

169 moons

566,000 asteroids

3,100 comets

How the Objects in the Solar System Interact

All objects in the Solar System orbit the Sun; in other words they move around the Sun in elliptical paths. In addition, the orbits of these objects lie roughly in the same plane; this is called the ecliptic plane.

The mechanism that causes the orbit of objects in the Solar System is one of the fundamental forces in nature which is known as gravity. The natural tendency for objects in the Solar System is to continue in a straight line of motion, the Sun exerts a force (gravity) on each object and "bends" the straight path into a curved one. Additionally, other objects in the Solar System are massive enough to exert gravitational forces significant enough to alter the orbit of smaller objects. For example, the Earth's gravity is strong enough to keep the Moon in orbit around the Earth.

The Size of the Solar SystemIn our Solar System, astronomers divided the planets into

two groups — the inner planets and the outer planets. The inner planets are closer to the Sun and are smaller and rockier while the outer planets are further away from the sun and are larger and made up mostly of gas.

Most people believe that the edge of the Solar System is that of Pluto's orbit, however this is far from the truth. Scientists have hypothesized the size of the Solar System extends to almost 2 light years ― that's 125,000 times the distance from the Sun to the Earth.

Scientist now believe that there are two major regions beyond Pluto. The first is the Kuiper Belt, a region of asteroids similar to the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, and the Oort Cloud, a spherical region that contains numerous comets.

The Universe

The universe is a huge wide-open space that holds everything from the smallest particle to the biggest galaxy. No one knows just how big the Universe is.

A spectroscope is used to tell whether an object is moving away from Earth or towards it. Based on the information from this instrument, scientists have learned that the universe is still growing outward in every direction.

FUN FACT: Scientists believe that about 13.7 billion years ago, a powerful explosion called the Big Bang happened. This powerful explosion set the universe into motion and this motion continues today. Scientists are not yet sure if the motion will stop, change direction, or keep going forever.

Planets

According to the International Astronomical Union (IAU), a planet is a celestial body that meets the following criteria:

is in orbit around the Sun,

has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and

has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit.

Planets

According to the IAU's definition for what is a planet, there are 8 known planets in the Solar System and these are:

Pluto is no longer considered a planet under the IAU definition.

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars,

Jupiter,Saturn,Uranus, andNeptune.

Inner and Outer Planets

• Mercury

• Venus

• Earth

• Mars

• Jupiter

• Saturn

• Uranus

• Neptune

The first four planets are rocky and are referred to as terrestrial planets. They are characterized by their dense, rocky composition.

The last four planets are gaseous and are referred to as gas giants. They are characterized by their massiveness and gaseous composition.

Inner Planets

Outer Planets

Similarities Between Inner and Outer Planets

Both the inner and outer planets revolves around the sun.

Both the inner and outer planets have moons

Both the inner and outer planets are spherical in shape.

Both the inner and outer planets orbits on the same plane

Both the inner and outer planets make up the solar system

Differences Between Inner and Outer Planets

Inner Planets Outer Planets

are closer to the Sun are further away from the sun

are smaller and rockier are larger and are made up mostly of gas

have a solid surface has balls of gas; no solid surface

spins slowly spins quickly

have few moons has a lot of moons

have no rings has rings

have greater density has smaller density

are inside the asteroid belt are outside the asteroid belt

varied atmosphere similar atmosphere

Orbit the Sun quickly Orbit the Sun slowly

The Sun

The sun is the center of the Solar System. The sun is a glowing ball of burning gasses. It is known as a main sequence star; that is, a sphere composed primarily of the two gases hydrogen and helium such that certain conditions are met. The first condition is that it must have a mass falling within a certain range.

The second and most important condition is that nuclear fusion must be present. Nuclear fusion is the process whereby two lighter atomic nuclei join or "fuse" together to produce a heavier atomic nucleus. In the context of stars, hydrogen is the lighter and helium the heavier.

The official classification for our Sun is G V star (often referred to as a Yellow Dwarf star), which means that it is a main sequence star whose surface temperature is between 5027°C and 5727°C.

The sun provides gravitational pull for the other planets. It gives us light and heat, and provides energy through sunlight; without this energy vegetation cannot grow, and without vegetation animals do not have a source of nourishment. The Sun is not the biggest type of star in the universe, but it is definitely larger than most.

The Sun

How the sun sustains life on Earth

The sun sustains life by:

The flora and fauna – helps in the process of Photosynthesis (helps plants to grow)

It provides Vitamin D

For commercial purposes – solar electricity

Used in the food industry – mass productions of food

Domestic/ residential purposes – dry clothes, recreational activities

Contribute to the gases in the air; it regulates the atmosphere.

Earth

Our Earth is special and unique as it is the only planet in the Solar System that supports life as we know it. The Earth’s surface has water on it and its atmosphere influences temperature so that waster can exist as liquid, a gas and a solid.

The atmosphere also contains enough oxygen, the gas which all living things need to survive.

Figure1.0 Our Planet Earth

Characteristics of Earth

• The earth is the third planet in the solar system and the fifth largest one.

• It is the most dense planet.

• It is the largest planet of the four terrestrial planets.

• It is referred to as the blue planet

• It has two (2) major force; gravity and magnetism

• It has 71% water and 29% gas

• Is spherical in shape

Evidence to prove that the Earth is spherical

Lunar eclipse – whenever there is a lunar eclipse the curve shadow of the Earth is seen across the moon.

The “catch-a-boat” theory – a ship/boat is always visible in the horizon

Sunrise and sunset – if the earth was flat all places would experince day and night the same time

Time zone

It is flat at the poles

North Pole

Imaginary lines

South Poles

ROTATION AND REVOLUTION

RotationThis is the movement of the Earth on its axis over a 24

hour period. Rotation results in:

day and night; as the Earth rotate on its axis one half of the Earth faces the sun, this half experiences day while the other half experiences night.

high and low tide; this occurs when the Earth spins and the sun and moon pull/tugs on it. One force is usually stronger therefore resulting in high and low tide, and

Wind speed and direction; we presently have north, south, east and west direction. Wind on the Earth comes from each direction. As the Earth rotates different places would get stronger serge of wind as a result of the speed of rotation.

RevolutionThis is the movement of the Earth around the sun,

this takes/last 365¼ days. While moving around the sun, the earth changes position. These changes cause:

The seasons – spring, summer, autumn, winter

Varying lengths of day and night around the world

Changes in the altitude of midday sun.

Hot long day; summers

Moderate-12hours day & night; spring & autumn

Short days and long night; winter

Demonstration of the Results of Rotation

Figure1.1 How day and night occurs

As the Earth rotate on its axis one half of the Earth faces the sun, this half experiences day while the other half experiences night.

Demonstration of the Results of Revolution

N

S

N

S

N

S

N

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March – season of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere

Sun’s raysSun’s rays

Always in the sunlight at this time

Always in the sunlight at this time Always in

the dark at this time

Always in the dark at this time

June – Summer in the Northern Hemisphere

1

2

3

4

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0°

0°

0°66 ½°N

66 ½°S

66 ½°N

66 ½°S

23½°S

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September– season of Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere

December 22 – Winter in the Northern Hemisphere

World going around this world

Diagram showing the seasons – spring, summer, autumn, winter

ReferencesBob the Aliens. (2014). Differences between the Inner and Outer Planets.

Retrieved from httP://www.bobthealien.co.uk./innerouter.htm

Bulgin, N., Reynolds, P., Smart, V., Vassell, M., and Weir, V. (2011). Carlong

Primary Social Studies: Our World Environment. Carlong Publishers. Kingston,

Jamaica.

Howell, E. (2014). The Inner and Outer Planets in Our Solar System. Retrieved

from http://www.universetoday.com/34577/inner-and-outer-planets/

PlanetsOfTheSolarSystem.net. (2011). Solar System Overview. Retrieved from

http://www.planetsofthesolarsystem.net/solar_system.html

PlanetsOfTheSolarSystem.net. (2011). The Planets. Retrieved

from http://www.planetsofthesolarsystem.net/planets.html

PlanetsOfTheSolarSystem.net. (2011). The Sun. Retrieved from

http://www.planetsofthesolarsystem.net/the_sun.html

The StarChild Team. (n.d.). The Universe. Retrieved from

http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/universe_level1/univ

erse.html

Yahoo Answers!. (2009).What are the differences and similarities

between the inner and outer planets?. Retrieved from

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?

qid=20090504221043AAANGm9