The Bridge V Learning Edition 1 ; our solar system | Page 19

Play a card game with the Sun and its planets. Ask questions and read answers from the cards.
Keywords
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Sun
Planets
Solar System
Cards
Materials
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Card game (Box)
Planets and Sun (flat) (Box)
Coloured pencils
Scissors
Learning Objectives
Learn about the properties of the different planets.
Background Science
Planets are spherical bodies orbiting a star. They have sufficient mass to have purged their orbits
of all larger and smaller boulders thanks to their gravitational pull. Dwarf planets are also
spherical and orbit a star, but they have small masses and therefore such a weak gravitation that
they are not capable of attracting smaller boulders in their vicinity. Moons are often spherical as
well, depending on their size, but they orbit planets.
Each of the planets in our Solar System has very specific features. We have summarised them in
the fact files below. The following rule of thumb is valid in the Solar System: small planets lie
close to the Sun and are made of solid material, while large planets are farther away from the
Sun and are mainly composed of gas.
Rocky Planets
The four rocky planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars) are very dense (solid) and
comparatively small. Their atmospheres are very thin, with the exception of that of Venus.
Mercury