The Gravitational Force
How many major theories do we have that try to explain gravity?
Two
Circular motion requires what force?
Centripetal force
The earth orbits the sun in an orbit we call the "(blank)". Fill in the blank
Elliptical orbit
Comets are called "(blank)" by some physicists. Fill in the blank
Dirty snowballs
What famous Italian physicist was put on trial for trying to prove the Copernican System?
Galileo Galilei
Sir Isaac Newton created an equation called the "(blank) Law of Gravitation". Fill in the blank
Universal
True or False.
Centripetal Force is directed parallel to the velocity of an object
False, it is directed perpendicular to the velocity
Saturn, Uranus, Jupiter and Neptune all have an interesting feature around them called "(blank)". Fill in the blank
Planetary rings
When the gases around a comet heat up, they begin to glow, creating a tail-like trail. What causes the comets to heat up?
The sun/Its proximity to the sun
In 1916, Albert Einstein proposed his "General Theory of (blank)". This theory attempts to explain the entire way of looking at physics. Fill in the blank
Relativity
What is another way of saying "larger by a factor of 5"?
Multiplied by 5
Centrifugal force
Name all of the inner planets
Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars
When a substance turns from solid to gas (without passing through the liquid phase), we say it has "(blank)". Fill in the blank
Sublimated
Polish scientist "Nicolaus Copernicus" is credited for beginning the "(blank)" view of the solar system, where the sun is centered. Fill in the blank
Heliocentric
When two objects are brought closer together, does their gravitational force increase or decrease?
Increase
Name one principle of centripetal force
1. Circular motion required centripetal force
2. The larger the centripetal force, the faster an object travels in a circle of a given size
3. At a given speed, the larger the centripetal force, the smaller the circle
The sun is about (blank) times bigger than Jupiter and (blank) times bigger than earth. Fill in the blanks
10 times, 110 times
What does KBO stand for?
The "Celestial Sphere" was created by what two Greek astronomers?
Hipparchus and Ptolemy
The gravitational force between two objects separated by a distance of 21 centimeters is measured. The objects are then brought closer so the distance between them is only 3 centimeters. What is the gravitational attraction now compared to when it was first measured
The gravitational force will be 49 times larger than it was previously
Even if an object is traveling in a circle at a constant speed, there is still acceleration. This is because a certain force keeps changing as well. Name the certain force
Velocity
What is the region called between Mars and Jupiter?
Asteroid Belt
Well beyond Pluto, there is a giant shell of icy bodies that comets come from. What is this called?
Johannes Kepler, creator of Kepler's Laws, was the assistant of what Danish astronomer?
Tycho Brahe