Curriculum
Science — First Preparatory
Unit 1: Matter
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Unit 2: Forces
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Unit 3: Life
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Text lesson
The Earth and the Solar System
The Earth and the Solar System
Components of the solar system
Components of the solar system
- The solar system consists of the Sun at the centre.
- The Sun is a star that gives out light and heat, and it contains most of the mass of the system.
- Around it, eight planets move in elliptical orbits, along with moons, asteroids and comets.
Key points
Planetslarge bodies that orbit the Sun and have no light of their own; they reflect sunlight.
Moonsbodies that orbit planets, such as the Moon that orbits the Earth.
Asteroidssmall rocks, mostly concentrated in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Cometsbodies of ice and dust that approach the Sun and develop a bright tail.
The Earth and the Solar System · 1 / 6