Students compare data about the characteristics of different Solar System objects. The students want to identify the objects based on their characteristics.

Question

 
Which Solar System object does each row of data ,begin emphasis,most,end emphasis, likely describe? Place each object into the table next to the data that describes it.
Response area with 4 blank spaces
,begin bold,Object,end bold,
,begin bold,Average Distance from the Sun,end bold,
(million kilometers)
,begin bold,Diameter,end bold,
(kilometers)
,begin bold,Composition,end bold, ,begin bold,Shape of Orbit,end bold,
Blank space 1 empty
108 12,104 rock nearly circular
Blank space 2 empty
394 61 rock nearly circular
Blank space 3 empty
779 142,984 gas elliptical
Blank space 4 empty
2679 9 ice, rock, gas highly elliptical
Answer options with 4 options.

Answer 1

Based on the characteristics provided in the data, the likely Solar System objects for each row are:

1. Blank space 1: Mercury

   • Average Distance from the Sun: 108 million kilometers
   • Diameter: 12,104 kilometers
   • Composition: rock
   • Shape of Orbit: nearly circular

2. Blank space 2: Mars

   • Average Distance from the Sun: 394 million kilometers
   • Diameter: 61 kilometers
   • Composition: rock
   • Shape of Orbit: nearly circular

3. Blank space 3: Jupiter

   • Average Distance from the Sun: 779 million kilometers
   • Diameter: 142,984 kilometers
   • Composition: gas
   • Shape of Orbit: elliptical

4. Blank space 4: Comet (for example, Halley's Comet)

   • Average Distance from the Sun: 2679 million kilometers
   • Diameter: 9 kilometers
   • Composition: ice, rock, gas
   • Shape of Orbit: highly elliptical

So, the objects would be filled in the table as follows:

• Blank space 1: Mercury
• Blank space 2: Mars
• Blank space 3: Jupiter
• Blank space 4: Comet (e.g., Halley's Comet)