Light Spectra and Doppler Effect
Big Bang and Stellar Evolution
Kepler's Laws and Orbits
The Movement of Earth
Moon, Tides, and Eclipses
100
When light is passed through a prism, it is seperated into different colors. Why is that happening?
Each color has a different wavelength
100
What force causes gas and dust in a nebula to begin forming a star?
Gravity
100
Describe the shape of the orbit that planets take when they revolve around the sun (you can describe it using 1 word)
Elliptical
100
What angle is the Earth tilted on its axis?
23.5 degrees
100
Why do we always see the same side of the Moon from Earth?
The rate of rotation and revolution are the same
200
Besides the composition of a star, what else can an emission spectra tell us about the star?
Whether it is moving toward or away from us.
200
Newly formed stars begin producing energy through what process? And what is released as a result of this process?
Nuclear fusion, light
200
Why does a planet travel faster when it is closer to the Sun during its orbit?
The Sun's gravity is stronger when the planet is closer
200
What is the reason the poles receive colder temperatures than the equator?
The poles get a lower angle of insolation compared to the equator (more direct sunlight)
200
What causes the moon phases?
The Moon’s revolution changes the angle at which we see the lit portion.
300
A student claims that red-shifted galaxies “must be physically red.” Explain why this interpretation is incorrect.
Redshifting is referring to the movement of the galaxy. Not its actual color.
300
Why would a high mass star die quicker than a low mass star?
It burns fuel faster due to higher temperatures and pressures.
300
Two planets orbit the Sun. Planet X is much farther away than Planet Y. Which planet has the longer period of revolution, and why?
Planet X because it moves slower and requires more time to complete 1 revolution.
300
If Earth’s tilt stayed the same but Earth revolved faster around the Sun, how would seasons change?
The seasonal variation would stay the same. But the length of the year would be shorter, resulting in shorter seasons.
300
Why do spring tides produce especially high highs and low lows?
The Sun, Earth, and Moon are all aligned, combining their gravitational pull.
400
What is Hubble's Law
Everything in the universe is moving rapidly outwards due to the expansion of the universe
400
Describe how red-shift data supports the Big Bang Theory.
Most galaxies show red shift, meaning they are moving away, indicating the universe is expanding from an initial point.
400
A planet has an eccentricity of 0.600. What does this tell you about its orbit compared to a planet with an eccentricity of 0.010?
It is more elliptical (more stretched out)
400
During the Winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the Southern Hemisphere receives stronger sunlight. Explain why.
The Southern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, so they are experiencing summer
400
What is the difference between a solar and lunar eclipse?
During a solar eclipse, the moon is obstructing the sun from being viewed from Earth. During a lunar eclipse, the Earth is obstructing the Moon (which is why it turns red)
500
Two galaxies have red shifts, but Galaxy B’s shift (distant galaxy) is much larger than Galaxy A’s (nearby galaxy). What conclusion can be made about Galaxy B’s motion, using the Doppler effect?
Galaxy B is moving faster than Galaxy A.
500
A star’s spectrum shows a high percentage of heavier elements. What does this reveal about its age compared to a star with mostly hydrogen/helium? Explain your answer.
It is older because heavier elements accumulate through fusion.
500
What happened if Earth's orbit was a perfect circle?
Earth would have a constant speed, a uniform solar energy supply, and no seasonal variations based on distance from the Sun
500
What is the Focult Pendulum and what did it prove?
A giant pendulum that proved that the Earth is rotating
500
Why don’t we experience a solar eclipse every month, even though the Moon has a new moon phase monthly?
The Moon’s orbit is tilted, so the Moon rarely lines up exactly between Earth and the Sun.