Let's solve each question on
"The Inner Planets" Worksheet step by step and provide clear explanations.
---
A. Find the answers to the following questions.
---
1. Why are the four inner planets also known as terrestrial planets?
They are known as terrestrial planets because they are made of
rock and metal.
>
✔ Explanation: The term "terrestrial" comes from the Latin word *terra*, meaning Earth. These planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) have solid, rocky surfaces and are composed primarily of silicate rocks and metals, unlike the gas giants.
---
2. Which planet is very hot on one side and very cold on the other?
Mercury
>
✔ Explanation: Mercury has no atmosphere to redistribute heat, so the side facing the Sun becomes extremely hot (up to 430°C), while the dark side cools down to about -180°C.
---
3. Why is it hot on one side and cold on the other?
It's hot on one side and cold on the other because the hot side always
faces the Sun.
>
✔ Explanation: Mercury has a slow rotation and is tidally locked in a 3:2 spin-orbit resonance. This means it rotates three times for every two orbits around the Sun, resulting in long days and nights. One side gets constant sunlight (hot), while the other remains in darkness (cold).
---
4. What is a satellite?
A satellite is something that
orbits around a planet or larger object.
>
✔ Explanation: A satellite is any object that revolves around a larger body. Natural satellites are moons; artificial ones are human-made spacecraft like communication satellites.
---
5. Some satellites are natural and some are ________-__________.
Some satellites are natural and some are
artificial.
>
✔ Explanation: Natural satellites are moons (like Earth’s Moon). Artificial satellites are man-made objects launched into space (e.g., GPS satellites).
---
6. Earth has one natural satellite. It is the _________.
Earth has one natural satellite. It is the
Moon.
>
✔ Explanation: The Moon is Earth’s only natural satellite and plays a key role in tides and stabilizing Earth’s axis.
---
7. How many natural satellites does Mars have? Mars has _______ satellites. They are tiny.
Mars has
two satellites. They are tiny.
>
✔ Explanation: Mars has two small moons: Phobos and Deimos. They are irregularly shaped and believed to be captured asteroids.
---
8. Which planet is almost the same size as the Earth?
Venus
>
✔ Explanation: Venus is often called Earth’s “sister planet” because it is similar in size, mass, and composition. It is slightly smaller than Earth but very close in diameter.
---
9. Which planet is mostly covered with water?
Earth
>
✔ Explanation: Earth is the only planet in our solar system with abundant liquid water on its surface—about 71% of Earth’s surface is covered by oceans.
---
10. Mars is between the Earth and the ________ ________.
Mars is between the Earth and the
asteroid belt.
>
✔ Explanation: In order from the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth,
Mars, then the asteroid belt. So Mars lies just before the asteroid belt.
---
✔ Final Answers Summary:
1. rock and metal
2. Mercury
3. faces the Sun
4. orbits around
5. artificial
6. Moon
7. two
8. Venus
9. Earth
10. asteroid belt
---
Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a completed worksheet!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of inner and outer planets worksheet.
