Solar Processes
What process in the Sun's core combines hydrogen atoms to form helium?
Nuclear Fusion
What do BOTH low-mass and high-mass stars begin their life cycles as?
Nebulae
What is the Milky Way?
Our Galaxy
What shape are planetary orbits according to Kepler's First Law?
Ellipse
What law explains why planets follow elliptical orbits?
Universal Law of Gravitation
What form of energy from the Sun's fusion reaches Earth?
Radiation
What stage does an average-mass star (like our Sun) become after its main sequence?
Red Giant
What are the TWO most abundant elements in the universe?
Hydrogen & Helium
What does an orbiting object sweep out in equal times (Kepler's Second Law)?
Equal Area
In F = G × (m₁ × m₂) / r², what does "r" represent?
Distance (or Radius)
What percentage of the Sun's energy that reaches Earth is it?
Tiny
What creates new elements like helium from hydrogen in stars?
Nuclear Fusion
What does red shift indicate about the universe?
It's Expanding
What is Kepler's Third Law formula?
P² = A³
What can neither be created nor destroyed?
Energy & Matter
What TWO products come from fusion processes in the Sun?
Helium & Energy
How do scientists know what stars are made of?
Colors of Light (or Light Spectra)
What is cosmic microwave background radiation evidence of?
The Big Bang
Mars has a period of 687 days. What is its distance from the Sun?
1.524 AU
Two masses (5,000 kg & 3,000 kg) have F = 1.0 × 10⁻³ N. What is r?
1.0 meter
How many billion years does the Sun have left in its lifespan?
5 Billion Years
What is the "fingerprint" each element in a star gives off?
Light Wavelengths (or Spectrum)
According to the Big Bang, what is the composition of ordinary matter?
75% Hydrogen, 25% Helium
Jupiter has a period of 4,333 days. What is its distance from the Sun?
5.203 AU
To solve for r in the gravitation formula, what math operation do you do LAST?
Square Root