Origins of the Universe
What does the term geocentric mean? And who first came up with it?
All planets revolve around the Earth, the greeks
What is matter? Name the 3 states.
Matter is anything that has mass or volume. The 3 states ae solid, liquid, and gas.
True or False: A planet's orbit around the sun is circular.
False. (it's an elliptical orbit!)
What is the efinition of a Satelite?
Any object that orbits the earth
The Earth _______ on it's axis and is tilted at ___ degrees.
rotates (spins), 23.5
What does the term heliocentric mean? And who came up with this?
Earth and other planets orbit the sun, Aristarchus discovered it first, and it was Copernicus who proved it.
True or False: An element can be broken down into simpler substances.
False
What is the difference between the perihelion of an ellipse and the aphelion?
Perihelion is the closest point to the sun, whereas the aphelion is the furthest distance away from the sun in a planet's orbit.
What does it mean to be in a tidal lock? Is this true for the Earth or the Moon?
This measn the rate of rotation is equal to the rate of revolution. The moon is in a tidal lock.
Lattitudes measure distance east to west (called Parallels)
Longitudes measure distance north to south (called meridians)
List the hierarchy of the Universe.
Planets, Solar Systems, Galaxies, Universes
Protons, Electrons, Neutrons
Positive, Negative, Neutral (No charge)
List Kepler's First Law of Planetary Motion and explain what eccentricity is.
Kepler's first law of planetary motion states that all planets orbit he sun in an ellipse. Eccentricity is how far a shape deviates from a circle. (Formula: e = c/a)
What is the giant impact hypothesis?
A hypothesis that makes an atempt on explaining how the moon formed. It states that a Mars sized object crashed into the Earth, broke off a chunk and formed the moon.
Describe why we have seasons.
The earth's tilt makes it so that seasons occur throughout the year.
What is the Nebular Theory? What are the stages?
Nebular Theory is the theory of how star systems were formed.
1. Nebulae (staring)
2. Begins rotating due to gravity
3. Centrifugal force compresses dust into objects
What is an electron cloud? What two subatomic particles are in the nucleus?
An electron cloud is the energy level electrons inhabit and has an overall negative charge. The nucleus is made up of protons and neutrons.
List Kepler's second law of Planetary motion and what it means for planets revolving closer to the sun and those revolving farther away.
Kepler's second law states that the line joining the planets to the sun sweeps out equal areas in times as the planet travels around the ellipse.
This means that planets closer to the sun travel faster whereas planets farther away travel slower.
Explain the difference between a lunar and solar eclipse.
Lunar eclipse: Moon travels through Earth's shadow
Solar eclipse: Earth travels through Moon's shadow
What is the Barycenter?
The center of mass is where two or more celestial bodies orbit each other.
True or False: The universe began from an initial point. What is the Doppler effect?
True
Stars moving away appear red, and stars coming nearer appear blue
Describe the differences between fusion and fission.
Fusion: Combining atoms, using hydrogen atoms to make helium, higher temperatures created
Fission: Splits atoms, uses uranium, radioactive waste, not found in the sun but in power plants
How far from the sun is a planet with a revolution of 13 years? What law are we applying here?
Approx 5.53 AU (5.5287 AU) We are applying Kepler's 3rd law of planetary motion which defines the relationship between a planet's distance from the sun and the time it takes to complete one revolution.
How many high and low tides are there in one day? Give a description of both spring and neap tides.
Two high tdes and two low tides in one day. High tides are on the sides of the earth and high tides are higher and low tides are lower. Neap tides are at 90 degree angles and high tides are lower, with low tides being higher.
What are the rules for being a planet?
1. Orbit the Sun
2. Have enough mass to be pulled into a nearly round shape by its own gravity
3. "clear the neighborhood" around its orbit