6

SCIENCE
QUARTER 4 – Week 7-8

The Planets of the Solar System

 Part I.
MELC: Compare the planets of the solar system
LC Code: S6ES-IVc-3

A. Introduction
Be ready to fly high up in the sky, to see the moon, stars even the golden Sun. And
count the planets around the Sun.
In this module, you will find out many things about the planets of the solar system.
There are activities prepared for you to help you understand our lesson even more. Have fun
and enjoy learning the lessons.

B. Discussion
Lesson 1: Our Solar System

The word planet comes from the Greek work planetei which means
“wandering”. Planets are called as such because they are always moving.
Today, there are eighth, planes in the solar system. All these planets move
continually around the Sun at different rates. Planets rotate on their own axis
as they revolve around the Sun. Planets have no light of their own. Instead,
they reflect light from the Sun.
There are two groups in the solar system. The Terrestrial/ Inner Planets
and the Jovian/Outer Planets. The Terrestrial/ Inner Planets are the four
closest to the Sun. The Jovian/ Outer Planets are those farther from the Sun.

Terrestrial Planets/ Inner Planets

Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars are called inner planets or
terrestrial planets because like Earth, these planets have a rocky surface

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 Terrestrial Planets/ Inner Planets

Source: https://www.google.com

Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, thus, it is

considered as the innermost planet. Like our moon, it
absorbs most of the sunlight that strikes it and reflects
only about 6% into space. This happens because
Mercury has no atmosphere like our moon. No moon
accompanies Mercury. It revolves quickly (88days) but
Source: https://www.google.com
rotates slowly (179 days), thus, a night on Mercury lasts
for about 3 months followed by 3 months of daylight.
Mercury is also known as a very cold planet at nighttime with a
temperature of about – 173˚ C. However it becomes very hot at daytime with
a temperature of about 427˚C, hot enough to melt tin and lead! You could
probably have 3rd degree burns or worse if you go there without life support.
Consequently, no life has ever been discovered in Mercury.

Venus is the brightest planet in the night sky next to our

moon. It is usually called the twin planet of Earth
because it shares a lot of similarities with Earth in terms
of size, density, mass and location in the solar system. It
orbits the sun in 225 days. The Venusian surface
reaches temperature of about 475˚C. This is because
Source: https://www.google.com its thick atmosphere prevents excess sunlight to
escape the planet. It’s very thick atmosphere is composed mostly of carbon
dioxide (97%). This environment makes it impossible for life to exist on Venus.

Earth is the only planet in the solar system that can

sustain life. It is known as blue planet because it looks
blue as seen from the outer space. Earth has an
average distance of 149 million km from the Sun.
Earth’s atmosphere is made up mostly of 77 % nitrogen
gas and 21% oxygen with traces of argon, carbon
Source: https://www.google.com

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 dioxide and water. Its average surface temperature is 15˚C. About 1/3 of the
Earth’s surface is land while 2/3 is water. The land part is divided into
continents with various landforms like mountains and hills. The water part
consists of various bodies of water like ocean and rivers.
It takes 365 ¼ days for the Earth to complete its revolution and 24
hours to complete its rotation. The Earth has only one moon that revolves
around it every 27.3 days.

Mars is known as the red planet. Through a telescope,

Mars appears as a reddish ball with some dark regions.
We can also see polar ice caps which look like those
we have on Earth. The Martian atmosphere has only
1% the density of earth’s atmosphere. It is primarily
composed of carbon dioxide with tiny amounts of
water vapor. Data from discoveries confirm that polar
Source: https://www.google.com
ice caps on Mars are made of water ice, covered by
thin layer of frozen carbon dioxide. When the dust that covers Mars during
sandstorm clears, images of the northern hemisphere show numerous large
volcanoes. The biggest of which is the Mons Olympus.

Source: https://www.google.com

Jovian Planets refers to the outer planets such as Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus
and Neptune.
Jupiter is known as the king of the planets. Its diameter
is about 142,984 km. it is the fastest spinning/rotating
planet. A day in this planet only last for a 9 hours and
55 minutes. A year would take about 11.86 earth years.
The thick atmosphere of hydrogen, helium, methane,
and ammonia are filled
with clouds of ammonia and methanic crystals.
Source: https://www.google.com
Jupiter has no solid surface. Its most prominent
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 feature is the ‘Great Red Spot.’ Astronomers call it “the eye of Jupiter.” It is
actually a giant storm with winds whirling up to 300 km per hour. It also has a
series of alternate light and dark bounds running parallel to its equator. The
fourth largest of the 16 moons Jupiter are known as the “Galilean satellites.”
Ganymede is the largest of all the moons of the solar system.

Saturn is the second largest planet with equatorial

diameter of 120,536 million kilometer. Its rapid rotation
is about 10 hours and 39 minutes. A year in Saturn lasts
for about 9.46 earth years. Saturn has more than 20
moons and the largest is titan its atmosphere is
compound of mostly hydrogen, and helium with small
Source: https://www.google.com
amount of ammonia, methane. It is 1,429 million
kilometer from the sun.

Uranus is about 2,875 million kilometer from the sun. Its

period of revolution is 84 earth years and it rotates
from east to west period of rotation is 17.3 hours. Light
gas of methane and ice form so much of Uranus. It is a
planet where the sun never rises and sets. Looking at it
from a telescope it looks like a large, smooth, blue-
Source: https://www.google.com green ball. Its atmosphere is mostly hydrogen and
methane with small amount of ammonia it has 17 known satellite..

Neptune is the planet farthest the sun with a distance

of about 4,504 million kilometer. It is pale blue in color
and glows phantom-like against the dark background
of the solar system. It is the smallest and the last of the
gas planets with equatorial diameter of 49,200
kilometer planets. Its period of rotation is 165 Earth
Source: https://www.google.com
years and its period of rotation is 17 hours and 50
minutes. It atmosphere is mostly hydrogen and helium with same methane. It
has 8 known moons.

Pluto is a dwarf planet beyond Neptune. It used to be

considered as a planet, but in the year 2006 it was
degraded into a dwarf planet because it did not meet
the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) criteria for
planet.

Source: https://www.google.com

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 PART II. ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY I
Direction: Choose the word from the box as described in each
number then find and circle the word in the grid.

V M S F G Y U F E O Y F S A N E D S R
A F E W I R P T O Y M U A R E S G H R
S E M R J Q I S U U N Y F S P I O M E
U E U Q C E U H A A M R J Q T I U U T
J Q I S U U T A R O V E N P U A P I I
U R R S T R R U S R B N O V N I O R P
P T T S A A O Y E A E R T T E D S T U
I H Y E A E R T T Y U I O P M A F R J
T G W T S R B N O V E N U S P A S E T

1. The brightest planet in the night sky.

EARTH

NEPTUNE
2. The planet has eight known moons.
JUPITER

VENUS
3. The fastest spinning planet.
MERCURY

URANUS
4. The only planet that can sustain life.

5. The closest planet in the Sun.

6. The planet that Sun never rises or sets.

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 ACTIVITY II

Directions: Describe the four inner planets. Choose the phrase

that can describe them on the box below.

Mercury Venus Earth Mars

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 ACTIVITY III

Directions: Make a poster of the solar system inside the box or in a

clean coupon bond showing the comparison of the
sizes of the different planets.

Rubrics for Poster Making

Criteria 1 2 3 Score

Poster has no control of Poster reflects Poster reflects

the mediaand lacking adequate control ofthe deliberate control of
Craftsmanship/Skill
craftsmanship media. Basic media. Advanced
craftsmanship craftsmanship
Creativity/ Does not exhibit Poster is innovative,
Inventiveness creative thinking. completely original, well
Poster is Poster has the thought-out and
underdeveloped and basics thoroughly developed
unoriginal
Advanced composition
Composition lacking a Basic composition, incorporating several
Composition cohesive appearance, no includes some design design elements
design elements elements

Completeness Poster appears tostill Poster is completeat a Poster k is as complete as

be in-progress basic level. Could use the student could make it
some finishing touches

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 KEY ANSWER:
Activity 1
VM S F G Y U F E O Y F S A N E D S R
A F E W I R P T O Y M U A R E S G H R
S E M R J Q I S U U N Y F S P I O M E
U E U Q C E U H A A M R J Q T I U U T
J Q I S U U T A R O V E N P U A P I I
U R R S T R R U S R B N O V N I O R P
P T T S A A O Y E A E R T T E D S T U
I H Y E A E R T T Y U I O P M A F R J
T G W T S R B N O V E N U S P A S E T

1. VENUS
2. NEPTUNE
3. JUPITER
4. EARTH
5. MERCURY
6. URANUS
Activity 2
Mercury Venus Earth Mars

• nearest planet to • has 96% carbon • Revolves 365 ½ • red planet

the Sun dioxide days
• has 2 moons
• it has a thin • Has a perfect
atmosphere sphere shape

• Has 1 moon

• Only planet to
sustain life

• Has living and non-

living things

Activity 3
Teacher’s discretion

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 PART III. SUMMATIVE TEST
A. Directions: Circle the letter of the correct answer.

1. The motion of the planets around the sun is called________.

A. revolution C. spinning
B. rotation D. wobbling motion
2. The relative distances of the planets affect their ________.
A. period of revolution C. surface temperature
B. period of rotation D. tilting of the axis
3. The coldest planet is _________.
A. Jupiter B. Mercury C. Neptune D. Saturn
4. Which of these receives heat from the sun?
A. Earth B. Mercury C. Saturn D. Uranus
5. There are factors that affect surface temperatures of the planets;
which one is these?
A. distance from the sun C. period of rotation
B. period of revolution D. sizes of planets
6. Which of these planets is the hottest, because it traps more heat from the
sun?
A. Earth B. Mercury C. Pluto D. Venus
7. This is responsible for blue-green color of Neptune.
A. ammonia B. helium C. hydrogen D. methane
8. Saturn’s rings are made of ___________.
A. bits of ice C. frozen methane
B. compounds of hydrogen D. fine particles of rocks and ice
9. Which is the 7 planet from the sun?
th

A. Jupiter B. Neptune C. Uranus D. Venus

10. The planet with the greatest number of moons is ___________.
A. Jupiter B. Neptune C. Uranus D. Saturn
11. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Earth, Jupiter and Saturn are called the outer planets.
B. Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are called the outer planets.
C. Mars, Jupiter up to the planet Pluto are called the outer planets.
D. Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars are called inner planets.
12. Which among the following are known as the outermost planet in the
solar system?
A. Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Pluto
B. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
C Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Pluto
D Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Pluto

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 13. Which of the following was known as the red planet?
A. Mars B. Mercury C. Neptune D. Uranus
14. How many moons does the planet Mercury have?
A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 10
15 The atmosphere of planet Venus consist of over 90% of ___________?
A. Carbon C. Hydrogen
B. Carbon Dioxide D. Carbon Nitrogen

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 KEY ANSWER
SUMMATIVE TEST
1. A 11. D
2. C 12. B
3. B 13. D
4. A 14. D
5. C 15. C
6. A
7. A
8. A
9. B
10. C

References:
Cruz.Caintic.Ziganay.Gutierrez, Into the Future Science and Health
Grade 6 Textbook, Copyright 2001 Revised Edition 2010 DIWA
SCHOLASTIC PRESS INC. Science Beyond Borders 6 pp. 241- 250

Most Essential Learning Competency (MELC) 2020

Sarte. Garcia. Lopez.Dela Cruz. Arradaza, Science Beyond Borders
Textbooks Grade 6, Copyright 2016 by Vibal Group, Inc, pp.214-
219

https://www.space.com/16080-solar-system-planets.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpMyjPJ9HFg
https:// www.google image.com

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 Source: https://www.google.com

Do you see the difference? Study the figure very well.

Rotation is a circular movement of an object around a centre of rotation. If three –
dimensional objects like earth, moon and other planets always rotate around an imaginary line,
it is called a rotation axis.

Revolution is referred to as an orbital revolution. It is used when one body moves

around another. For example, the Moon revolves around the Earth and the Earth revolves

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 around the Sun.

Rotation of the Earth

Source: https://www.google.com

The spinning of the Earth around its axis is called ‘rotation’. The axis has an angle
of 23 ½ degrees and is perpendicular to the plane of Earth’s orbit. This means, Earth is tilted
on its axis, and because of this tilt, the northern and southern hemispheres lean in a direction
away from the Sun. The rotation of the Earth divides it into a lit-up half and a dark half, which
gives rise to day and night.

Difference between Rotation and Revolution

Rotation Revolution

Rotation of the Earth is its turning on its Revolution is the movement of the Earth
axis. around the Sun.

The Earth takes 24 hours to complete a The Earth takes a full year (365 days) for
rotation with respect to the sun. one complete revolution around the Sun

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 The Earth’s axis of rotation is tilted by The path of the Earth moving around the
23.5 degrees. This tilt causes the different Sun is called an orbit. The Earth’s orbit is
seasons of the year. elliptical.

The Earth’s Rotation around the Sun

Source: https://www.google.com

Revolution of the Earth

Source: https://www.google.com

The movement of the Earth around the Sun in a fixed path is called a revolution. The
Earth revolves from west to east example in the anticlockwise direction. The Earth completes
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 one revolution around the Sun in one year or precisely in 365.242 days. The revolution speed
of the earth is 30 km/s-1.

Lesson 2: The Effects of Earth’s Revolution: Four Seasons

The Earth takes 365 and 1/4 days to complete one revolution around the sun and this
amount of time is called a “year.” This movement of the earth causes the four season –
summer, autumn, winter and spring.

Source: www. Google.com image

The earth tilts at 23 ˚. As the Earth moves around the Sun, the Earth’s axis is always
tilted in the same direction throughout its orbit. As a result different parts of the Earth receive
different amounts of sunlight at different times of the year.

Summer begins in the northern hemisphere on June 21 or 22. During this time, the
North Pole is tilted to its full 23 ½ ˚ towards the sun. The northern hemisphere experiences
its longest daylight period. At the same time the southern hemisphere experiences its shortest
daylight.

Winter starts on December 21-22. At this time, the North Pole is tilted to its full 23 ½
degrees away from the sun. The shortest daylight period occurs in the northern hemisphere
while the longest daylight period occurs in the southern hemisphere.

Twice a year, the daylight and night time periods are of equal length. On these days,
the axis is tilted neither towards nor away from the sun. On March 21, the length of the day
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 and night is equal. This is called spring equinox. On September 23, the day and night are
again of equal length. This is called autumnal equinox.

PART II. ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY I
Directions: Illustrate the rotation and revolution of the Earth around the Sun in the
box provided below; Write at least two sentences to describe your illustration.

_____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

RUBRICS FOR EVALUATING THE ANSWERED ESSAY OF THE PUPILS

Criteria 1 2 3 4 Score

Information clearly
Information relates Information clearly
relates to the main
Information has little to the main topic. No relates to the main
topic. It provides 1-2
Focus/Main or nothing to do with detail and/or topic. It includes
supporting details
Point the main topic examples are given several supporting
and/or examples
details and/or
examples

Information is very
Information is Information is
organized with
The information organized, but organized with well-
well- constructed
Organization appears to be paragraphs are not constructed
paragraphs and
disorganized well- constructed paragraphs
subheadings

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 Many A few grammatical, Almost no No grammatical,
grammatical, spelling or grammatical, spelling or
Mechanics spelling or punctuation errors spelling or punctuation errors
punctuation punctuation
errors errors

https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/NEVR/Elementary%20Rubric.pdf

ACTIVITY II
Directions: Study the scrambled letters and try to unscramble or rearrange
the letters to form a word that matches on its definition found on the right.

The movement of the Earth

1. IVOERTU OLN around the Sun in a fixed path

The spinning of the Earth around

2. ORATOINT its axis

3. An imaginary line which an

SIAX object rotates

Move or cause to move into a

4. TLIT sloping position

AREHT The planet on which we live; the

5. world.

To revolve or rotate
6. NNINGIPS

The length of the day and night

7. EXQOUNI are the same

Combination of all direct and

8. LIGAYDTH indirect sunlight during the daytime.

The time of darkness.

9. MEITTHGIN

“sun stop”
10 SICETSOL

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 ACTIVITY III

Direction: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if it is not.

________ 1. Rotation is the spinning of the Earth on its axis

________ 2. Revolution is referred to as an orbital revolution.
________ 3. Axis is an invisible line that passes through the North and South Pole.
________ 4. Revolution of the Earth takes 24 hours.
________ 5. The rotation of the Earth causes the night and day.
________ 6.The Earth completes one revolution around the Sun in 365.242 days
________ 7.The dark side of the Earth is the shadow of the moon.
________ 8.The sun makes one complete spin on its axis
________ 9. The Earth rotate in a counterclockwise direction.
________ 10. Earth is the planet where we live in.

Activity 1: (Teacher’s discretion)

Activity 2: Activity 3:
1. REVOLUTION 1. TRUE
2. ROTATION 2. TRUE
3. AXIS 3. TRUE
4. TILT 4. FALSE
5. EARTH 5. TRUE
6. SPINNING 6. TRUE
7. EQUINOX 7. TRUE
8. DAY LIGHT 8. FALSE
9. NIGHT TIME 9. TRUE
10. SOLSTICE 10.TRUE

PART III. SUMMATIVE TEST

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 Directions: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. The Earth is rotating on its axis, creating _____

A. day and night B. the seasons C. the years D. the 12 months
2. Rotation of the earth takes_____
A. One day B. One summer C. One winter D. One year
3.When the Earth completes a full orbit around the Sun, it has completed _____ rotations
A. 7 B. 30 C. 30 D. 365
4. The Earth spins on a tilted angle called a (an)
A. Axis B. Bounce C. Invert D. Revolution
5. The invisible line that passes through the North Pole and the South Pole is called
Earth's ____
A. Axis B. ecliptic C. equator D. prime meridian
6. Rotation of the earth causes what?
A. day and night B. full moon C. seasons D. tides
7. How long does it take for the Earth to make one full orbit around the Sun?
A. one day B. one month C. one week D. one year
8. The Earth's _______ is an imaginary line that goes from the North Pole to the South
Pole.
A. axis B. solar eclipse C. solar flare D. vernal equinox
9. Revolution of the earth takes
A. one day B. one summer C. One winter D. one year
10. The earth's revolution is called an orbit, and we orbit around _____.
A. Earth B. Moon C. Sun D. Venus
11. The spinning movement of the Earth about its axis is called the Earth's
A. orbit B. precession C. revolution D. rotation
12. Which happens in one year’s time?
A. Earth makes one complete revolution around the sun.
B. Earth makes one complete spin on its axis.
C. The moon makes one complete revolution around Earth
D. The sun makes one complete spin on its axis.
13. How long does it take for the Earth to rotates once on its axis?
A. 12 hours B. 24 hours C. 1 week D. 1 year
14. What motion of the Earth takes 365 days?

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 A. Revolution B. Rotation C. Spinning D. Tilting
15. Why do globes lean sideways?
A. To allow them to spin easier.
B. To demonstrate the effects of gravity.
C. To demonstrate the day and night.
D. To demonstrate the tilt of Earth's axis.

16. The movement of the Earth around the Sun is called its _____
A. gyration B. precession C. revolution D. Rotation
17. The equal length of day and night during March 21 is called_______.
A. autumnal equinox C. summer solstice
B. spring equinox D. winter solstice
18. The dark side of the Earth is in the shadow of the
A. Earth B. moon C. sun D. Venus
19. What season occurs in your area when the Earth tilts away from the sun?
A. fall B. spring C. summer D. winter
20. The Earth tilts at what specific degree?
A. 13˚ B. 23˚ C. 25˚ D. 27˚

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 KEY ANSWER
SUMMATIVE TEST

1. D 11. B
2. A 12. B
3. D 13. B
4. A 14. C
5. A 15. B
6. B 16. A
7. D 17. A
8. B 18. A
9. B 19. C
10. B 20. B

References:
Cruz.Caintic.Ziganay.Gutierrez, Into the Future Science and Health
Grade 6 Textbook, Copyright 2001 Revised Edition 2010 DIWA
SCHOLASTIC PRESS INC. pp.225-235

Most Essential Learning Competency (MELC), 2020

Sarte. Garcia. Lopez.Dela Cruz. Arradaza, Science Beyond Borders

Textbooks Grade 6, Copyright 2016 by Vibal Group, Inc, pp.208-
213

Online References:

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 https://byjus.com/physics/rotation-and-revolution/
https://www.google.com
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/NEVR/Elementary%20Rubric.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqkQv617bcw

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