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The path a planet follows around the Sun is called an orbit.

The Solar System

Our Solar System is home to eight planets, the Sun, moons, and many smaller objects. In KS2 Science, pupils explore these fascinating worlds and their unique features.

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Fascinating Fact:

Saturn’s moon Titan has lakes and rivers, but they are made of liquid methane, not water.

In KS2 Science, children study the Solar System to learn about the planets, moons, and the Sun. Each planet is different in size, temperature, and distance from the Sun.

Key Terms

Orbit: The path an object takes as it moves around a planet or star.
Planet: A large object that orbits a star, such as Earth around the Sun.
Asteroid: A rocky object that orbits the Sun, smaller than planets.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What are the planets in the Solar System for KS2?

The eight planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Each orbits the Sun at a different distance.

Why is Earth special in the Solar System?

Earth is special because it has liquid water, breathable air, and the right temperature to support life, unlike any other known planet.

What is the Sun made of?

The Sun is made mostly of hydrogen and helium gases. It produces light and heat through nuclear fusion at its core.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

What are Saturn's rings made of?

Light beams trapped by Saturn's gravitational pull

Ice particles

Thousands of moons

An asteroid belt

Saturn's seven rings are made of ice particles which travel in orbit around the planet

2 .

Measured by diameter, how much bigger is the Sun than the Earth?

Approximately twice as big

Approximately 10 times

Approximately 100 times

Approximately 1,000 times

The Sun's diameter is 1,377,648 km while the Earth's is 12,756 km

3 .

What do we call the path a planet follows around the Sun?

An orbit

A circle

A gravitational pull

A rotation

An orbit is the path an object in space follows around another object - the Moon orbits the Earth, which orbits the Sun

4 .

Life is found on which of these planets?

Earth

Earth and Mars

Neptune, Venus and Earth

Jupiter and Earth

No life has been found on any planet apart from Earth - at least, not yet!

5 .

Which of these is the correct order of the planets (including the dwarf planet)?

Mercury, Venus, Mars, Earth, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto

Mars, Venus, Earth, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto

Earth, Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Pluto, Uranus

Here's a mnemonic to help you remember - My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas

6 .

What is the Sun?

A comet

A star

A planet

An asteroid

The Sun is our nearest star - it's only 148 million km away!

7 .

How long does it take the Earth to orbit the Sun?

24 hours

52 weeks

365 days

Two years

It actually takes the Earth just over 365.25 days to orbit the Sun, which is why there is an extra day in a Leap Year, occuring every four years

8 .

Which planet is closest to the Sun?

Mars

Venus

Earth

Mercury

Mercury is 46 million km from the Sun

9 .

Which is the largest planet in our Solar System?

Saturn

Neptune

Earth

Jupiter

The Earth could fit into Jupiter 1,000 times

10 .

How many planets are there in the solar system?

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eight for now! Pluto has been called a 'dwarf planet' since 2006, when scientists debated whether it was large enough to count as a true planet - the debate continues to this day

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - What is the solar system?

Author: Sheri Smith (PhD English Literature, English Teacher & Quiz Writer)