Theory question 307
The Earth and Solar System(a)(i) Define the term Solar System. (ii) List any five components of the Solar System. (b) Outline any four characteristics of the earth.
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(a)(i) The solar system is the sun and all the heavenly bodies (planets, moons, asteroids, comets, meteors) that revolve round it under its gravity.
(ii) The sun; planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune); moons/satellites; asteroids; comets; meteors and meteorites; dwarf planets (Pluto).
(b) Third planet from the sun (about 150 million km); spherical (oblate spheroid) shape, flattened at the poles; rotates on its axis in 24 hours; revolves round the sun in 365¼ days; axis tilted at 23½°; has one moon; has an atmosphere with oxygen and water, supporting life; equatorial circumference about 40,000 km.
List planets in order from the sun.