3.6.2

The Planets

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The Planets

There are 8 planets in our solar system.

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Breakdown

  • The 8 planets are split into the four inner planets and the four outer planets.
    • The 4 inner planets are made mostly of metals like nickel and iron, as well as rocks.
    • The 4 outer planets are known as 'gas giants' because they are huge and made of gases.
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Inner planets

  • Mercury is the smallest planet.
    • Mercury has no moons and is the closest planet to the Sun.
  • Venus was called Earth’s sister planet but it has a thick carbon dioxide atmosphere.
  • Earth is the only known planet with life.
  • Mars is the inner planet that is furthest from the Sun.
    • Mars has 2 moons called Phobos and Deimos.
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Outer planets

  • Jupiter is the largest planet in our Solar System.
    • Jupiter currently has a storm system larger than the Earth, that has been going for over 400 years.
  • Saturn is known for its seven rings that surround the planet.
  • Uranus has lots of moons and it takes 84 years to orbit the sun.
  • Neptune is the planet farthest from the sun.
  • Pluto was once named the ninth planet, but in 2006 it was reclassified as a dwarf planet.

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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