Unit 6- Space Word Wall

Unit 6 Word Wall

7.9A

7.9C

7.9B

Objects in the solar system

life and earth

The student is expected to analyze the characteristics of Earth that allow life to exist such as the proximity of the Sun, presence of water, and composition of the atmosphere.

The student is expected to describe the physical properties, locations, and movements of the Sun, planet, moon, meteor, asteroid, comet, Kuiper belt, and Oort cloud

Gravity & Motion in the solar system

The student is expected to describe how gravity governs motion within Earth's solar system; and

Habital Zone Proximity Atmosphere Biodiversity Optimal Conditions

Stable Climate

Sustainability

Earth's Magnetic Field

Planet Asteroid Meteor Kuiper belt Comet Physical Property Rotate

Revolve Moon Sun Oort Cloud

Gravity Mass Weight Inertia

Solar System Force Orbit

7.9A - Objects in the Solar System

Meteor

Asteroid

Planet

Comet

Kuiper Belt

Physical Properties

Moon

Rotate/ Rotation

Oort Cloud

Revolve/ Revolution

Sun

7.9B - Gravity & Motion in the solar system

Inertia

Weight

Mass

Gravity

Orbit

Gravitational Attraction

Force

Solar System

7.9C - Life and Earth

Proximity

Habitable Zone

Atmosphere

Biodiversity

Stable Climate

Earth's Magnetic Field

Optimal Conditions

Sustainability

Planet

an object that orbits the sun, has become rounded by its own gravity, and has cleared the area of its orbit.

Asteroid

a small, mostly rocky or metallic body that orbits the sun in the inner solar system.

Meteor

a meteoroid that enters Earth’s atmosphere in a streak of light.

Kuiper belt

a region beyond Neptune’s orbit extending 30 to 50 AU from the sun

The Kuiper Belt is a "junkyard" of icy bodies left over from the solar system's formation

Comet

a loose ball of ice and rock that usually has a long, narrow orbit around the sun.

Physical property

a characteristic of a substance that can be observed or measured without changing the identity of the substance.

Earth's temperature, size, and the amount of water on its surface are all physical properties that help make life possible.

Rotate/Rotation

The circular motion of an object around its center.

Revolve/ Revolution

The motion of an object around a point, or around another object.

Moon

Naturally-formed bodies that orbit planets.

Key Details: Reflect sunlight; do not produce their own light. Can vary in size, shape, and surface features (e.g., craters, mountains). Example: Earth's Moon affects tides through its gravitational pull.

Sun

The star around which the earth moves and that provides light and heat for the earth.

Key Details: A massive ball of hot gases, primarily hydrogen and helium. Located at the center of the solar system. Energy comes from nuclear fusion in its core. Drives weather, climate, and life on Earth.

Oort cloud

Key Details:

• Located far beyond the Kuiper Belt, at the edge of the Sun’s gravitational influence.
• Believed to be the source of long-period comets.
• Contains trillions of icy bodies, potentially remnants from the early solar system.
• Extends roughly 2,000 to 100,000 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun.

A giant spherical shell surrounding our solar system.

Gravity

The force of attraction between two or more objects of mass

Gravitational Attraction

The force of attraction between all masses in the universe.

Mass

The amount of matter present in an object

Key Details:

• Measured in kilograms (kg) in the International System of Units (SI).
• Independent of gravity (unlike weight).
• A fundamental property of matter that determines resistance to acceleration.
• Commonly measured using a balance scale.

Weight

The measurement of gravitational pull on an object’s mass.

Inertia

Inertia is why planets keep moving forward in space. It means that objects don't change what they're doing—whether staying still or moving—unless a force, like gravity, acts on them. In the solar system, inertia keeps planets from stopping or flying off in straight lines, while gravity pulls them into orbits around the Sun.

The tendency of an object in motion to stay in the same motion and an object at rest to stay at rest

Elliptical orbit

Orbit

A repeating path that one object in space takes around another one.

The movement of one body around another in an oval-shaped path.

Force

A push or pull upon an object

• In the solar system, force plays a key role in the movement of celestial bodies:
• The gravitational force of the Sun pulls planets towards it, preventing them from flying off into space.
• This force works with inertia (the tendency of a moving object to continue moving) to create the planets' orbital paths.
• Other examples include the gravitational force between moons and their planets, and the force that causes meteors to accelerate when falling toward Earth.

Solar System

A system of stars, planets, moons, and other objects, bound together by gravitational orbit.

Habitable Zone

The area that is a set distance from the sun that allows water to exist as a liquid. This is also known as the Goldilocks zone.

Proximity

The measure of closeness between two objects.

Atmosphere

The envelope of gases surrounding a planetary body.

• Key Details:
• Earth's atmosphere is primarily made of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%), with small amounts of other gases.
• Protects life by filtering harmful solar radiation (like UV rays).
• Regulates temperature, creating a stable environment for living organisms.
• Facilitates the water cycle and allows for breathable air.

Earth's Magnetic Field

Earth has a polar north and south from which magnetic lines of force are present like a giant magnet; caused by the turning of the outer molten metal core of the Earth.

How it relates to Earth's Habitability:

• Proximity to the Sun: Earth's magnetic field helps protect the planet from harmful solar winds and radiation that could otherwise harm living organisms.
• Presence of Water: Protects Earth's water supply by preventing radiation from breaking down the water molecules in the atmosphere.
• Atmospheric Composition: Works alongside the atmosphere to prevent radiation from damaging the ozone layer, ensuring Earth's temperature remains stable and suitable for life.

Biodiversity

The variety of all living things and their interactions

Optimal Conditions

The best or most favorable temperature, light, and moisture for the growth or reproduction of an organism.

Stable Climate

Having low rates of long term change .

Sustainability

Protecting the planet while providing people with a healthy living environment.

the ability of something to maintain or "sustain" itself over time