Brief-Constructed Response

Formation of Our Solar System

Teacher Guide

Concept: Formation of Our Solar System

Prompt 1

Compare and contrast the orbits of the inner planets with the orbits of the outer planets. Be
sure to include information about the following:
 Shape of the orbit
 The effect that the distance from the sun has on the orbit

Mass Diameter Density Acceleration Length Distance Length of Number

24
(kg x10 ) (km) (kg/m3) Due to of Day from Sun Year (Earth of Moons
Gravity (hours) (km x 106) days)
(m/s2)

Mercury .330 4879 5427 3.7 4222.6 57.9 88 0

Venus 4.87 12,104 5243 8.9 2802 108.2 224.7 0
Earth 5.97 12,756 5515 9.8 24 149.6 365.2 1
Mars .642 6, 792 3933 3.7 24.7 227.9 687 2
Jupiter 1899 142,984 1326 23.1 9.9 778.6 4331 63
Saturn 568 120, 536 687 9.0 10.7 1433.5 10,747 60

Uranus 86.8 51, 118 1270 8.7 17.2 2872.5 30,589 27

Neptune 102 49, 528 1638 11 16.1 4495.1 59,800 13

Sample Correct Response:

All of the planets in the solar system orbit the sun in an elliptical path. The inner planets are
closer to the sun, so their orbit is much smaller than the orbits of the outer planets. A greater
distance from the sun creates a larger orbit around the sun. This larger orbit around the sun
creates a longer year for each planet. As the distance from the sun increases, the size of the
orbit increases, and this leads to the length of year increasing as well.

Brief-Constructed Response: Formation of Our Solar System © Discovery Communications, LLC Page 1 of 7
 Brief-Constructed Response

Formation of Our Solar System

Teacher Guide

Response Scoring Tool:

Score Content
3 Response states: all planets orbit the
sun in an elliptical shape; planets that
are closer to the sun have smaller orbits
than the orbits of the outer planets
because the outer planets are much
farther from the sun; distance from sun
affects the size of the orbit; larger orbit
means a greater distance around the sun
to travel; greater distance to travel
equals a longer year.
2 Response states that the inner planets
are closer to the sun and the outer
planets are farther from the sun, but it
makes no mention of the sizes of the
orbits.
1 Response makes an attempt at the
question, but incorrectly reads the chart
and answers incorrectly.
0 No Response or Off-Task Response

Brief-Constructed Response: Formation of Our Solar System © Discovery Communications, LLC Page 2 of 7
 Brief-Constructed Response

Formation of Our Solar System

Teacher Guide

Prompt 2

Objectives assessed. The student will be able to:

 Explain that theories of solar system formation include dust cloud theory and others.
 Explain that planets orbit the sun.
 Explain that the length and duration of an orbit depends on distance from the sun.
 Identify that all orbits are slightly elliptical.
 Explain that planets have different surface features and different sizes.

Students will need about 15–20 minutes to complete this brief constructed response.

Compare the compositions, orbits and orbit shape, sizes, and surface features of the inner and the
outer planets.

Correct Response(s):
Sample Correct Response: The inner planets have planets have larger elliptical orbits. The
inner planets are made of rock, while the outer planets are made mostly of gas. The outer
planets are much larger than the inner planets. The inner planets have a rocky surface, and
the outer planets have no known surface.

Response Scoring Tool:

Score Content
3 Response states that the inner planets have
smaller elliptical orbits because they are closer to
the sun, and the outer planets have larger elliptical
orbits. The inner planets are made of rock, while
the outer planets are made mostly of gas. The
outer planets are much larger than the inner
planets. The inner planets have a rocky surface,
and the outer planets have no known surface.
2 Response correctly compares three of the four
requirements (composition, orbit and orbit shape,
size, and surface features).
1 Response correctly compares one or two of the
four requirements listed in the question OR talks
about either the inner planets or the outer planets,
but not both.
0 No Response or Off-Task Response

Brief-Constructed Response: Formation of Our Solar System © Discovery Communications, LLC Page 3 of 7
 Brief-Constructed Response

Formation of Our Solar System

Teacher Guide

Prompt 3

Objectives assessed: The student will be able to:

 Explain that theories of solar system formation include dust cloud theory and others.
 Explain that planets orbit the sun.
 Explain that the length and duration of an orbit depends on distance from the sun.
 Identify that all orbits are slightly elliptical.
 Explain that planets have different surface features and different sizes.

Students will need about 15–20 minutes to complete this brief constructed response.

Describe the definition of gravity and explain how the solar system was formed. Provide evidence
explaining how and why the planets of the solar system orbit the sun. If the sun were to change in
size, predict what would happen to the planets of the solar system.

Correct Response(s):
Sample Correct Response: Gravity is the natural force of attraction exerted by a celestial body
upon other objects. The solar system formed from the nebula of a star that exploded. Gravity
in the center of the nebula pulled all dust and gas together and the planetary object became
so large that nuclear fusion occurred in the center. This was the birth of the sun. Smaller
pockets of dust and gas revolved around the newly formed star and collected together
because of the gravity in the center of those pockets. These planetary bodies did not
become big enough for fusion to occur. Because the sun was so much larger than the
surrounding pockets and new planets, the sun had a stronger gravitational pull, and gravity
and inertia made the planets orbit the sun. A prediction could be that if the sun were to
change in size, get bigger or smaller, the orbit of the surrounding planets would be
influenced. Depending on size, they would get closer or farther away.

Brief-Constructed Response: Formation of Our Solar System © Discovery Communications, LLC Page 4 of 7
 Brief-Constructed Response

Formation of Our Solar System

Teacher Guide

Response Scoring Tool:

Score Response
3 Response states that gravity is the natural force of
attraction exerted by a celestial body upon other
objects. The solar system formed from the nebula
of a star that exploded. Gravity in the center of the
nebula pulled all dust and gas together, and the
planetary object became so large that nuclear
fusion occurred in the center. This was the birth of
the sun. Smaller pockets of dust and gas revolved
around the newly formed star and collected
together because of the gravity in the center of
those pockets. These planetary bodies did not
become big enough for fusion to occur. Because
the sun was so much larger than the surrounding
pockets and new planets, the sun had a stronger
gravitational pull gravity and inertia made the
planets orbit the sun. Response predicts that if the
sun were to change in size, get bigger or smaller,
the orbit of the surrounding planets would be
influenced. Depending on size, they would get
closer or farther away.
2 Defines gravity and briefly describes the origin of
the solar system but leaves out certain details.
Makes a prediction about what would happen to
the solar system if the sun would change in size or
mass.
1 Defines gravity and explains the formation of the
solar system OR predicts what would happen if the
sun would change in size and mass, but not both.
0 No Response or Off-Task Response

Brief-Constructed Response: Formation of Our Solar System © Discovery Communications, LLC Page 5 of 7
 Brief-Constructed Response

Formation of Our Solar System

Teacher Guide

Prompt 4

Describe the location and properties of the sun in our solar system and describe the movement of
the sun in our galaxy.

Correct response(s):
Sample Correct Response:
The sun is located at the center of our solar system because this was also the center of the
solar nebula from which the sun and solar system formed. The sun is made of different
layers of extremely hot gas that is in a plasma state. The sunlight we see comes from the
photosphere layer of the sun, and the energy the sun produces comes from the core, where
nuclear fusion occurs. The sun moves in our galaxy similar to the way the planets move in
our solar system. The sun and our solar system are in motion revolving around the center of
the Milky Way galaxy.

Brief-Constructed Response: Formation of Our Solar System © Discovery Communications, LLC Page 6 of 7
 Brief-Constructed Response

Formation of Our Solar System

Teacher Guide

Response Scoring Tool:

Score Content
3 Response includes all of the following:
 Response correctly describes the
location of the Sun.
 Response includes some
properties of the Sun, such as its
composition, layers, temperature,
and sunlight.
 Response includes some
description of how the Sun
moves in our galaxy or relates
this motion to the motion of the
planets around the Sun.
2 Response includes at least two of the
following:
 Response correctly describes the
location of the Sun.
 Response includes some
properties of the Sun, such as its
composition, layers, temperature,
and sunlight.
 Response includes some
description of how the Sun
moves in our galaxy or relates
this motion to the motion of the
planets around the Sun.
1 Response includes only one of the
following:
 Response correctly describes the
location of the Sun.
 Response includes some
properties of the Sun, such as its
composition, layers, temperature,
and sunlight.
 Response includes some
description of how the Sun
moves in our galaxy or relates
this motion to the motion of the
planets around the Sun.
0 No Response or Off-Task Response

Brief-Constructed Response: Formation of Our Solar System © Discovery Communications, LLC Page 7 of 7