Formation of the Solar System
What theory explains the formation of the solar system from a rotating disk of gas and dust?
Nebula Theory
How long does it take for Earth to complete one full rotation?
24 hours
What is Kepler's First Law?
Planets move in elliptical (oval-shaped) orbits around the Sun
What is an example of EM radiation we receive on Earth?
UV waves, visible light, infrared waves
Where does it occur?
In the core of the sun
What are the four terrestrial planets in our solar system?
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
How long does it take for Earth to complete one full revolution around the Sun?
About 365 days
What is Kepler's Second Law?
Planets orbiting the sun sweep out in equal areas in an equal amount of time
Which form of EM radiation can humans see?
Visible light
What happens during nuclear fusion?
Two light-mass nuclei fuse to create a single, larger-mass nucleus
What are the four jovian planets in our solar system?
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
What is the difference between perihelion and aphelion?
Perihelion = closest point to the sun
Aphelion = furthest point from the sun
What is Kepler's Third Law?
The orbital period of a planet is proportional to its distance from the sun
Which form of EM radiation can be seen as heat?
Infrared
What are two important factors that are needed for nuclear fusion to occur?
high temperature and high pressure environment
What celestial body is found between Mars and Jupiter?
Asteroids
What causes the seasons on Earth?
The tilt of Earth's axis as it revolves around the sun
What is a foci, and which law would it fall under?
Foci = factor in determining the shape of an ellipse; typically, the sun and a planet to show the orbital path
Falls under Kepler's First Law
Which form of EM radiation is the most harmful to humans?
UV/ultraviolet waves
What is a product of nuclear fusion?
Helium
What is one reason jovian planets are much larger than terrestrial planets?
Jovian planets are made of gases!
How does Earth's rotation affect the tides?
As the Earth rotates, that area moves away from the moon's influence (less gravitational pull)
How are Kepler and Newton connected?
Kepler laid the foundation for Newton, and Newton built and expanded on how the planets move
Where does EM radiation come from?
Space, but more specifically, nuclear fusion in the sun
What two forms of energy are created from nuclear fusion?
Light and heat energy