Big Bang
How long ago was the Big Bang?
*10-20 billion years
*15 billion years or 13.8 billion years
Which color of light has shorter wavelengths? Blue or Red?
Blue
Hydrogen gas
How old is our Solar System?
4.6 billion years old
Nuclear fusion takes two smaller atoms to form _________
One larger atom
The Big Bang Theory says that the universe is contracting. TRUE OR FALSE?
FALSE
The universe is still EXPANDING today.
We can see microwave radiation (like cosmic background). TRUE or FALSE?
FALSE
We cannot see microwaves. Only visible light part of EM Spectrum
The coldest temperature stars are what color?
Red
How are the 4 outer planets different than the 4 inner planets?
Outer: gas and ice; Inner: rocky material
The three types of nucleosynthesis are: Big Bang nucleosynthesis, stellar nucleosynthesis and what?
supernova nucleosynthesis
What is Cosmic Background Radiation?
left-over radiation from the original big bang explosion
Gamma rays have short wavelengths and HIGH energy
A star that has high temperature and high luminosity would be in what group?
BLUE GIANTS
Why are only the inner planets rocky?
Only rocky material could withstand the intense heat near the center of the nebula--gas and ice were pushed to the outside
Stellar nucleosynthesis can form heavier elements, from helium up to what element? Hint, it's abbreviated Fe
Iron
Explain why we have 99% of Hydrogen and Helium in the universe?
The elements of H and He are a very simple to make...and it was too hot and not enough matter for other heavier elements to form
Energy that travels through space in waves.
The longest part of a star's life cycle is what stage?
Main Sequence
What event most likely caused the initial collapse of our planetary nebula?
supernova (star death)
-caused energy waves to disturb our cloud of gas/dust and forced it to collapse
What makes it possible for supernova nucleosynthesis to form heavier elements?
The abundance of neutrons
What is Red Shift and why does it support that the universe is expanding?
Red shift shows that wavelengths of light are getting longer.
This shows that galaxies are being pushed farther apart.
600nm is a wavelength for which color of the visible light spectrum?
yellow
What are the different star groups?
1) main sequence 2) red giant 3) white dwarfs
4) blue giants
Why is the formation of a planetary nebula similar to a skater?
Planetary nebulas begin to spin, and collapse due to gravity, much like skaters who collapse their arms spin faster.
What is the difference between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission? Which one do we use in nuclear power plants?
Fusion = smaller atoms fusing together
Fission = larger atoms breaking apart
We use fission in power plants