Question
Select the statement(s) that accurately describe the criteria for an object to be considered a planet in our solar system.
It must orbit the Sun.
It must have enough mass and gravity to form a sphere.
It must have "cleared the neighborhood" around its orbit.
It must be made of rock.
It must be bigger than all the solar system's moons.
It must orbit the Sun.
It must have enough mass and gravity to form a sphere.
It must have "cleared the neighborhood" around its orbit.
It must be made of rock.
It must be bigger than all the solar system's moons.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The criteria for an object to be considered a planet in our solar system are:
1. **It must orbit the Sun.**
2. **It must have enough mass and gravity to form a sphere.**
3. **It must have "cleared the neighborhood" around its orbit.**
The other two statements are not criteria for classification as a planet:
- **It must be made of rock.** (This is not true; planets can be gas giants or ice giants as well.)
- **It must be bigger than all the solar system's moons.** (This is not a criterion; size relative to moons is not a determining factor.)
So, the accurate statements are the first three listed.
1. **It must orbit the Sun.**
2. **It must have enough mass and gravity to form a sphere.**
3. **It must have "cleared the neighborhood" around its orbit.**
The other two statements are not criteria for classification as a planet:
- **It must be made of rock.** (This is not true; planets can be gas giants or ice giants as well.)
- **It must be bigger than all the solar system's moons.** (This is not a criterion; size relative to moons is not a determining factor.)
So, the accurate statements are the first three listed.