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18. Technically speaking, what is wrong with calling a rock that 5. Provide arguments that Pluto should be considered a planet.
strikes the surface of the Moon a meteorite? Again speaking Counter this argument with evidence that it should not be
technically, what should you call a rock that strikes the surface of classified as a planet.
the Moon (or any planet other than Earth)? 6. Describe and analyze why it would be important to study the
19. If a comet is an icy, dusty body, explain why it appears bright in nucleus of a comet.
the night sky.
INVITATION TO INQUIRY
FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS
What’s Your Sign?
1. What are the significant similarities and differences between the Form a team to investigate horoscope forecasts in a newspaper or In-
terrestrial and giant planets? Speculate why these similarities and ternet site. Each team member should select one birthday and track
differences exit.
what is forecast to happen and what actually happens each day for a
2. Draw a sketch showing the positions of Earth, the Sun, and week. Analyze the ways in which the forecasts are written that may
Venus when it appears as the morning star. Draw a second sketch
showing the positions when it appears as the evening star. make them “come true.” Compare the prediction, actual results, and
analysis of each team member.
3. Evaluate the statement that Venus is Earth’s sister planet.
4. Describe the possibility and probability of life on each of the
other planets.

PARALLEL EXERCISES

The exercises in groups A and B cover the same concepts. Solutions to group A exercises are located in appendix E.

Group A Group B
1. Based on the diameter in km presented in Table 15.1, what is the 1. Based on the density and diameter in km presented in Table 15.1,
volume of Mars in cubic meters? what is the volume of Jupiter in cubic meters?
2. Based on the density and diameter in km presented in Table 15.1, 2. Based on the density and diameter in km presented in Table 15.1,
what is the mass of the Earth in grams? In kilograms? what is the mass of Venus in grams? In kilograms?
3. A scale model of the solar system is being constructed where 3. A scale model of the solar system is being constructed where
8
8
1.0 cm of the model represents 1.0 × 10 km of actual distance. 25 cm of the model represents 1 × 10 km of actual distance. What
What is the model dimension for the distance of Neptune from is the model dimension for the distance of Venus from the Sun?
the Sun?
4. A scale model of the solar system is being constructed where 4. A scale model of the solar system is being constructed where
25 cm of the model represents 1 AU of actual distance. What is 40 cm of the model represents 0.5 AU of actual distance. What
the model dimension for the distance of Mercury from the Sun? is the model dimension, in meters, for the distance of Jupiter
from the Sun?
5. A high school class is building a scale model of the terrestrial 5. An elementary school class is building a scale model of the solar
planets on a lab table that can accommodate a model diameter of system in the gymnasium that can accommodate a model
2.5 m. What is the necessary conversion ratio for model diameter of 30 m. What is the necessary conversion ratio for
dimensions in centimeters to kilometers of actual distance? model dimensions in meters to kilometers of actual distance?
6. A class is building scale models of the planets based on the 6. A class is building scale models of the planets based on the
model of Earth having a radius of 2.5 cm. What is the diameter model of Mercury having a radius of 0.5 cm. What is the
of Jupiter for this model? diameter of Saturn for this model?
7. Assume that Mars receives its peak solar energy over a 1 hour 7. Assume that Mercury receives its peak solar energy over a 1 hour
long “noon” period. How much energy is heating 1 square meter long “noon” period. How much energy is heating 1 square meter
of the surface of Mars during this peak time? of the surface of Mercury during this peak time?
2
2
8. A 30 cm thick block of ice with a surface area 2,500 cm is placed 8. A 1 cm thick piece of lead with a surface area of 160 cm is
on the surface of Mars for 1 hour during the time the planet placed on the surface of Mercury for 1 hour during the time the
received its peak solar energy. Assume the ice absorbs all of the planet received its peak solar energy. Assume the lead absorbs all
solar energy, and its temperature when placed is at absolute zero. of the solar energy, and its temperature when placed is at
Will the energy received raise the temperature of the ice to its absolute zero. Will the energy received raise the temperature of
melting point? If so, determine the mass ice that melts. (L f of ice the lead to its melting point of 327°C? If so, determine the mass
is 80.0 cal/g.) of lead that melts. (Assume L f of lead is 5 cal/g.)

15-27 CHAPTER 15 The Solar System 403