Question

select the statement that accurately compares the relative sizes of two astronomical bodies.
a moon is larger than the planet it orbits because the moon has more gravity due to its larger mass.
a rocky planet is larger than a star because the planet is made up of solid material and the star is made of mostly gases.
a solar system is larger than a planet because a solar system is made up of a star and all the planets that revolve around it.
a galaxy is larger than the universe because a galaxy is made up of planets, stars and other celestial bodies and the universe is made up of many galaxies.

Explanation:

• Option A: Moons orbit planets. Planets have more mass and gravity than their moons. So, a moon is not larger than the planet it orbits.
• Option B: Stars, even small - sized stars like red dwarfs, are much larger than rocky planets. The size is not determined by the state of matter (solid vs gas) but by mass and formation processes.
• Option C: A solar system consists of a star and all the objects (planets, moons, asteroids, etc.) that orbit it. So, a solar system is larger than a single planet.
• Option D: The universe contains all galaxies. So, a galaxy is not larger than the universe.

Answer:

C. A solar system is larger than a planet because a solar system is made up of a star and all the planets that revolve around it.