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Forming Stars
Out of this World
Stars and Fusion
Light and Temperature
Miscellaneous
100
How does a white dwarf form?
When a burning star uses up all its energy, the core shrinks while the outer layers expand. The outer layers expand so far that they oureach the power of gravity and drift off into space. Just a very hot, condensed core is left.
100
What are the two different forms of aliens that are believed could exist?
A fleshy, human-like creature with an oversized head, and a microscopic robot
100
What are the 5 major kinds of stars observed by the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram?
Main sequence stars, white dwarfs, super giants, giants, and massive stars.
100
How can we tell the composition of a star by the spectra?
Every chemical absorbs and emits certain light. So, if we see a spectra, we can find out the composition of the star by what spectra is absorbed and what is emitted.
100
What is the internal structure of a star (in order)?
Core, radiation zone, convection zone, photosphere, chromosphere, corona.
200
How does a planetary nebula form?
When a burning star uses up all of its energy, the outer layers of the star expand so far away from the core that they drift from the star and into space.
200
What planets and moons in our own solar system have shown signs that they could sustain life (because of chemicals found)?
Mars, Jupiter, Europa, Titan
200
What are the shells of fusion in order?
Hydrogen, helium, carbon, oxygen, neon, magnesium, silicon, iron.
200
Why is it better to use a mirror rather than lenses in a telescope?
Because it is much easier to have a large mirror rather than a large lens. This provides a picture with a much larger image of the surrounding area.
200
What is time dilation?
Time dilation is an actual difference of elapsed time between two events as measured by observers either moving relative to each other or differently situated from gravitational masses.
300
How does a supernova form?
At the end of a high mass star's life, helium fusion begins, the core expands, the pressure drops, and the star shrinks. The shells of chemicals are condensed to the core until iron forms, and no energy can be released. Electron degeneracy presure is then followed by neutron degeneracy pressure. The star explodes and forms a supernova.
300
What chemicals are needed to create amino acids, the building blocks of life?
Methane, ammonia, hydrogen and water
300
How do the shells of fusion form?
When a high mass star dies, helium fusion begins, the core expands, the pressure drops, and the star shrinks. As the star shrinks, layers of different chemicals form shells around the core. It condenses so much that they become each next layer until iron, when the star collapses.
300
How do black body radiation curves work with respect to the temperature of stars?
The hotter the temperature, the larger the curve and the sooner the curve begins.
300
Describe the relativity of space and time.
Both time and space are relative, not fixed - only light is fixed. Time and space can be altered according to light.
400
How does a neutron star form?
When a white dwarf forms but the core condenses even more from the extreme gravity, just a ball of neutrons is left.
400
What methods are astronomers using to search for intelligent extra terrestrial life?
Massive radio telescopes (radiowaves), satellites, landers on planets/moons in our solar system.
400
What is the proton-proton chain (what does it do)?
The process of 2 protons becoming helium-4. Gamma rays and neutrinos and positrons are produced and given off in the process.
400
What is the Wien law?
Objects of different temperature emit spectra that peak at different wavelengths. At any wavelength, a hotter object radiates more (is more luminous) than a cooler one.
400
How do we know that the speed of light is absolute?
Because 2 people moving at different speeds will observe light at the same time - time will slow down so light is viewed at the same rate every time.
500
How does a black hole form?
If a supernova is forming but the gravity is stronger than the neutron degeneracy pressure, a ball of neutrons that is incredibly dense forms. This condenses even more, implodes, and forms a black hole.
500
What is the Drake equation?
# intelligent civilizations in universe = # habitable planets x chance that life would arise x chance intelligence arises x # that exist right now
500
Explain how the proton-proton chain works.
http://woodahl.physics.iupui.edu/Astro105/14-07.jpg
500
What is the Stefan-Boltzmann law?
The Stefan-Boltzmann law is what astronomers use to graph black body radiation curves. Total energy emitted/unit area = temperature^4 x time
500
What is the angular resolution equation?
sin(angular resolution in radians) = wavelength of light/diameter of the lens' aperture