Review: Stars vs planets

What is a star?

A star is a giant ball of gas that produces light and heat. The sun is the closest star to Earth.

What is a planet?

A planet is a celestial body that orbits a star. Planets do not produce their own light.

True or false: Stars orbit planets.

False, because planets orbit stars.

Difference between a star and a planet

Stars shine with their own light; planets reflect light from stars.

Fill in the blank: The sun is a _____ star.

The sun is a yellow dwarf star.

How many planets are in our solar system?

There are eight planets in our solar system: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

True or false: Planets can be made of gas.

True, because gas giants like Jupiter are examples of gaseous planets.

What do stars create through nuclear fusion?

Stars create energy by fusing hydrogen into helium in their cores.

Example of a gas giant planet.

Jupiter is an example of a gas giant planet.

What are terrestrial planets?

Terrestrial planets are rocky and include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.

Difference between inner and outer planets.

Inner planets are rocky; outer planets are gas giants.

True or false: All stars are the same size.

False, because stars can be very different sizes, from tiny red dwarfs to massive supergiants.

What is the closest planet to the sun?

Mercury is the closest planet to the sun.

How do stars form?

Stars form from clouds of gas and dust collapsing under gravity.