Planetary Science
Objective: This worksheet aims to familiarize students with the planets in our solar system, focusing on their order, relative sizes, and key characteristics.
Content and methods: The worksheet begins by prompting students to order the planets shown in an image. This is followed by a task to sort a list of planet names by size and distance from the Sun. The core of the content is a detailed text about one selected planet, covering its size, composition, atmosphere, position in the solar system, moons, rings, and habitability. Students are then required to fill out a profile for the planet based on the provided text, summarizing these characteristics. Finally, a mnemonic device is provided to help students remember the order of the planets.
Competencies:
- Knowledge of the solar system (planet order, names, characteristics)
- Reading comprehension
- Information extraction and summarization
- Memory skills (using mnemonic devices)
Target group: 4th-7th grade
58 other teachers use this template
Target group and level
4th-7th grade
Subjects
Planetary Science
.jpg?alt=media&token=09013d50-c012-4273-b59d-3a4f6473c4ec)
The planets in our solar system
Look at the following picture and try to put the planets in the correct order.
Sort the planets from smallest to furthest distance to the Sun.
A closer look at a planet
Now learn more about a planet in our solar system. Read the text, then fill out the profile on the following page.
Jupiter
Jupiter is a giant planet that captures the interest of many people. It is the fifth planet from the Sun in our solar system and is the largest planet we know of. In fact, Jupiter is so big that more than 1,300 Earths could fit inside it! Its diameter is about 142,984 kilometers, making it a true giant among planets.
Jupiter is not a rocky planet like Earth. Instead, it is mostly made up of gas and liquid. The planet's composition is primarily hydrogen and helium, similar to the Sun. Deep inside Jupiter, there might be a small, rocky core, but it is surrounded by thick layers of gas and liquid.
The atmosphere of Jupiter is very interesting. It is full of swirling clouds and storms. One of the most famous features of Jupiter's atmosphere is the Great Red Spot, which is a giant storm that has been raging for hundreds of years. The atmosphere is mostly made of hydrogen and helium, with traces of other gases like methane and ammonia.
In our solar system, Jupiter holds the position of the fifth planet from the Sun. It is located between Mars and Saturn. Because of its large size and strong gravity, Jupiter plays an important role in the solar system by influencing the orbits of other objects.
Jupiter has many moons and a faint ring system. It has at least 79 known moons, with the four largest being Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. These are called the Galilean moons, named after the astronomer Galileo Galilei who discovered them in 1610. Jupiter's rings are not as noticeable as Saturn's, but they are still an important feature of the planet.
When it comes to habitability, Jupiter is not a place where humans or other life forms could live. The planet does not have a solid surface, and its atmosphere is full of dangerous gases and extreme weather. However, some of its moons, like Europa, are of great interest to scientists because they might have conditions that could support life.
In summary, Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system, made mostly of gas and liquid, with a thick atmosphere and many moons. While it is not habitable for humans, it remains a fascinating subject of study and exploration.
Additional information for teachers
Here you can find a sample solution for the profile of the planet.
Mnemonic to remember the order of planets
Here is a tip how you can remember the order of planets: in the following mnemonic each word starts with the same letter as one of the planets:
my very educated mother just served us noodles
Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune