Scientific theories from the past (non-statutory) | Science

Starter quiz

The Sun is at the ______ of our solar system.

'centre' ✓
Which of these statements is true?

The Moon orbits the Sun.

The Sun orbits the Moon.

Earth orbits the Sun. ✓

The Sun orbits Earth.
What do the Sun, Earth and Moon all have in common?

They are all planets.

They are all approximately spherical. ✓

They are all stars.

They all travel around the solar system.
What equipment might scientists on Earth use to find out more about objects in space?

thermometer

microscope

ruler

telescope ✓
What is the name of a scientist who studies space?

astronomer ✓

biologist

chemist

engineer

astrologer
Why does the Sun appear to move across the sky each day?

Because the Sun orbits Earth.

Because the Sun rotates on its axis.

Because Earth rotates on its axis. ✓

A ______ is the name for a carefully thought-out explanation for something.

'theory' ✓
Which statement is true about scientists' ideas about the solar system?

They have stayed the same over time.

They will never change.

They have changed over time. ✓
Which of these objects in space is at the centre of the geocentric model of the solar system?

The Moon

Earth ✓

The Sun
The ______ model of the solar system has the Sun at the centre and the planets orbiting it.

'heliocentric' ✓
Starting with the earliest, order the events.

1

⇔

Ancient Egyptians thought the Sun was a god, who rode a chariot across the sky.

2

⇔

Greek philosophers thought Earth was at the centre of the solar system.

3

⇔

Copernicus' theory was that the Sun was at the centre of the solar system.

4

⇔

Galileo used a telescope to find more evidence supporting a heliocentric model.
Which of these statements about scientific theories is true?

A theory cannot be tested.

Theories may change over time as we gather more evidence. ✓

Scientific enquiry can help scientists to make more accurate theories. ✓

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Ideas about the solar system have developed over time
The geocentric model is the idea that the Earth is the centre of the universe and other objects go around it
The heliocentric model is the idea that Earth and other planets move around the fixed Sun

Pupils may think that a theory is just a guess or prediction that has not yet or cannot be proven.

Explain that theories are always based on scientific evidence and these are either strengthened or disproved as more evidence is gathered.

Evidence - Evidence is information that helps us to prove that something is true or not true.
Theory - A theory is a carefully thought-out explanation for something about our world that is based on learning from scientific enquiry.
Solar system - The solar system is the name for our Sun and the planets that orbit it.
Geocentric - The geocentric model of the solar system has the Earth at the centre and the Sun and planets orbiting it.
Heliocentric - The heliocentric model of the solar system has the Sun at the centre and the planets orbiting it.