This free 5th grade science worksheet covers the planets, the sun, and key facts about our solar system with a reading passage and comprehension questions.
Our solar system has eight planets that orbit the sun. The four inner planets — Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars — are small and rocky. The four outer planets — Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune — are much larger and made mostly of gas. Jupiter is the largest planet. Saturn is known for its rings. Earth is the only planet known to support life. All planets travel in paths called orbits around the sun. The closer a planet is to the sun, the faster it orbits.
The solar system is a core 5th grade science topic. This worksheet introduces the eight planets, their order from the sun, and key distinguishing characteristics, building vocabulary for future astronomy study.