World Book Trivia Challenge Advanced--3/4--planets
Questions and Answers
- 1.
What do scientists call planets that orbit stars other than the sun?
- A.
Extrasolar planets
- B.
Foreign planets
- C.
Dwarf planets
- D.
Outer planets
Correct Answer
A. Extrasolar planetsExplanation
In the 1990's, scientists began discovering planets outside of the solar system. These new planets were called extrasolar (beyond the sun) planets or exoplanets for short.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Which of these is not a planet?
- A.
Mercury
- B.
Neptune
- C.
Pluto
- D.
Earth
Correct Answer
C. PlutoExplanation
Pluto was called a planet until 2006. The discovery of several other objects about the same size as Pluto led scientists to create a new category called dwarf planets.Rate this question:
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- 3.
How many planets in the solar system have rings?
- A.
1
- B.
2
- C.
3
- D.
4
Correct Answer
D. 4Explanation
All of the large gaseous planets in the solar system have rings. These planets are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Where does the word "planet" come from and what does it mean?
- A.
Greek for "to wander"
- B.
Roman for "chariot"
- C.
Egyptian for "God"
Correct Answer
A. Greek for "to wander"Explanation
The word planet is a Greek word meaning "to wander." Unlike a real star, planets change positions or wander around the sky.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Which is the largest of the solar system's rocky planets?
- A.
Mercury
- B.
Venus
- C.
Earth
- D.
Mars
Correct Answer
C. EarthExplanation
Earth is just slightly larger than Venus. Mercury is the smallest.Rate this question:
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- 6.
The sun contains how much of the mass (amount of matter) in the solar system?
- A.
About 50%
- B.
About 75%
- C.
About 90%
- D.
Over 99%
Correct Answer
D. Over 99%Explanation
The sun contains about 99.8% of the mass in the solar system.Rate this question:
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- 7.
All of the planets in the solar system have at least one moon?
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
The two planets closest to the sun, Mercury and Venus, do not have moons. Earth has one moon, Mars has two. The large outer planets have many moons. Both Jupiter and Saturn have over 60.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Where can you find the fastest winds in the solar system?
- A.
Neptune
- B.
Earth
- C.
Venus
- D.
Jupiter
Correct Answer
A. NeptuneExplanation
Winds blow on Neptune at speeds up to about 900 miles (1,450 kilometers) per hour. Unlike the winds of Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus, Neptune’s winds tend to blow in the opposite direction of the planet’s rotation.Rate this question:
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- 9.
All of the planets in the solar system have an atmosphere.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Mercury does not have an atmosphere. Scientists have discovered an extremely thin layer of gas around the planet, but it is far too thin to be called an actual atmosphere.Rate this question:
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- 10.
How many moons in the solar system are larger than the planet Mercury?
- A.
0
- B.
1
- C.
2
- D.
5
Correct Answer
C. 2Explanation
Both the largest moon of Jupiter, Ganymede, and the largest moon of Saturn, Titan, are larger than Mercury.Rate this question:
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Mar 17, 2022Quiz Edited by
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