Astronomy Flashcards Post Test 2
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Questions and Answers

What is the definition of the term that describes the one closer to the sun?

The one closer to the sun.

Where is Polaris located according to James's observation?

The red dot furthest away from Earth (top of the image).

Match the events in the giant impact theory to the correct order:

A Mars-sized planetesimal collides with Earth. = 1 Molten material is ejected from Earth. = 2 Material accretes to form the Moon. = 3 The Moon begins rotating and revolving around Earth. = 4

The planets [] and Neptune are known as the [].

<p>Uranus, ice giants</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which planet has a relatively thick atmosphere that traps heat?

<p>Venus</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the attributes to the appropriate planet:

<p>Earth = Densest planet in the solar system Venus = Hottest planet in the solar system Jupiter = Largest planet in the solar system Mercury = Smallest planet in the solar system</p> Signup and view all the answers

What indicates that an object is not a planet?

<p>It is a satellite.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why can water exist as a solid, liquid, or gas on Earth?

<p>Earth is at an ideal temperature due to its distance from the Sun.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the value of the constant k in Kepler's third law for Mars?

<p>1.34 × 10^5</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which two pieces of data indicate Jupiter's outer solar system location?

<p>It is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which feature indicates that Mars is in the inner solar system?

<p>It has a rocky surface that one could firmly stand on.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What signifies that a distant star is part of a planetary system?

<p>The star periodically dims.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What statement describes a similarity between Earth and Venus?

<p>Both planets show evidence of volcanic activity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match each star with the correct element based on absorption wavelengths: Star 1 is [], Star 2 is [], and Star 3 is [____].

<p>Helium, Sulfur, Carbon</p> Signup and view all the answers

The distance between Earth and Mars is 225 million km. When converted using the conversion factor 1 AU = 1.5 × 10^8 km, the distance between the planets is ______.

<p>1.5 AU</p> Signup and view all the answers

The astronomical unit (AU) is ______ a light-year.

<p>shorter than</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the movement of the spectral lines if they shift from 400 nm to 430 nm?

<p>AWAY</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the movement of the spectral lines if they shift from 610 nm to 580 nm?

<p>TOWARD</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the tools with the advantages they offer to astronomers:

<p>Space telescope = Allows access to images taken from outside Earth's atmosphere Photography = Captures images that can be shared and compared by scientists Optical telescope = Obtains a magnified and clear view of a part of the sky to observe celestial objects Radio telescope = Detects electromagnetic frequencies outside the visible spectrum that reaches Earth</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which sequence did the events of the big bang occur?

<p>The universe comes into existence as a single point --&gt; The universe begins expanding, and nuclear forces develop --&gt; Atomic nuclei form --&gt; Hydrogen fuses into helium --&gt; The first neutral atoms form --&gt; The universe is transparent --&gt; Gases form that will later go on to shape the stars and galaxies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which occurrence would contradict the big bang theory?

<p>Scientists discover that 99% of the universe's mass is hydrogen.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which observational tool helped astronomers Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson discover the existence of the cosmic microwave background (CMB)?

<p>Radio telescope</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which occurrence would contradict the big bang theory?

<p>Over time, distant galaxies move progressively closer to Earth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Venus is an average distance of 108.2 million kilometers from the Sun. Use the conversion factor 1 AU = 1.5 × 10^8 km to convert this distance from kilometers to astronomical units. Choose the closest answer.

<p>0.72 AU</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do dying stars contribute to the formation of planets?

<p>They produce heavy elements such as iron and gold.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The temperature of a star is 6000K and its luminosity is 1000. Which type of star is it?

<p>Giant</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about nuclear fusion is correct?

<p>Helium nuclei can fuse to form elements such as nitrogen.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which condition in a nebula would prevent nuclear fusion?

<p>A core temperature of only ten thousand Kelvin</p> Signup and view all the answers

Determine which physical conditions are necessary to support nuclear fusion and formation of stars and put them in one category: Promotes Stellar Formation or Does Not Promote Stellar Formation.

<p>Higher temperature</p> Signup and view all the answers

Use the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram to determine which condition describes each star.

<p>Sirius B = The star can no longer support nuclear fusion because it has exhausted its supply of hydrogen. Betelgeuse = The star's hydrogen supply is running low, so it is fusing hydrogen from outside the core. The Sun = The star is experiencing nuclear fusion at its core.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Arrange the events involved in nuclear fusion in the correct order.

<p>The pressure of hydrogen gas increases, and the gas reaches extreme temperatures --&gt; Hydrogen atoms shed their electrons --&gt; Bare nuclei collide with each other due to massive amounts of heat --&gt; The colliding nuclei fuse to form larger helium atoms having two protons and two neutrons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the phases in the life cycle of small and big stars.

<p>Average Star --&gt; Giant --&gt; Blank --&gt; Blank; Massive Star --&gt; Super Giant --&gt; Blank --&gt; Blank --&gt; OR Black Hole.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The table shows chronological events in the life of our Sun. Place the missing events into the correct rows of the table.

<p>1: A nebula located in the Milky Way galaxy begins pulling nearby hydrogen atoms into its orbit; 3: The temperature in the core of the nebula reaches 14 million Kelvin; 7: The Sun expands greatly and cools. It is larger and redder; 9: The Sun is a white dwarf with a dim glow.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Classify the planets based on their composition.

<p>Gas Giants</p> Signup and view all the answers

What picture does the term refer to?

<p>In this picture, the Sun is being orbited.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Arrange the events leading up to the formation of a solar system.

<p>A cloud of gas and dust forms --&gt; The nebula spins --&gt; The nebula flattens into a disk --&gt; The nebula shrinks --&gt; The temperature increases --&gt; Nuclear fusion takes place.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match each orbiting body to its attribute.

<p>Comet = Has a characteristic glow Meteoroid = Usually burns up if it enters Earth's atmosphere Gas Giant = Primarily made of hydrogen and helium Asteroid = Varies greatly in size from one to the next</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to one theory, Earth's moon accreted to form its current structure following a giant impact between Earth and another celestial body. Complete the paragraph to describe the process of accretion. The debris was held close to Earth by Earth's ______.

<p>gravity</p> Signup and view all the answers

James observes an orbiting body that is approximately 5.2 AU away from the Sun. He knows that it is primarily composed of helium and hydrogen. In which region of the solar system is the orbiting body located?

<p>Outer planets</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the diagram, planets A, B, and C have the same mass. Which of these statements is true about the motion of these planets?

<p>Planet A will take the shortest time to complete an orbit, while planet C will take the longest time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How would the absence of gravity affect the formation of planets?

<p>The rocks and debris would never accrete into a planet.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which two statements about the disk-shaped nebula are true?

<p>Gravity caused the disk-shaped nebula to shrink.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are two reasons why the terrestrial planets formed closer to the Sun after the supernova event that initiated the formation of the solar system?

<p>They are made of heavier elements, which have a stronger gravitational attraction to the Sun.</p> Signup and view all the answers

An observer on the Moon sees a solar eclipse. What does an observer on Earth see?

<p>A lunar eclipse.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Earth's axis is tilted to one side. Which phenomenon would cease to exist in the absence of this axial tilt?

<p>Solstice</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement could be a direct outcome of the formation of the Moon according to the giant impact theory?

<p>Earth's axis is tilted.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement supports the giant impact theory for the formation of the Moon?

<p>Earth and the Moon share many compositional characteristics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why do areas north of the Arctic Circle in the Northern Hemisphere experience a polar day lasting for several months during summer?

<p>The region is tilted toward the Sun during polar day.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Select the correct answer from each drop-down menu. Tides on Earth are caused by the combined effect of the Sun and the Moon. However, the Moon has a ______ effect on tides than the Sun because the Moon is ______ to Earth.

<p>greater; closer to</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Distance and Units

  • Distance from Earth to Mars is approximately 225 million km.
  • 1 AU (Astronomical Unit) equals 1.5 × 10^8 km.
  • Mars is 1.5 AU from Earth, indicating this distance is longer than 1 AU.

Spectral Analysis

  • Spectral shifts in light can indicate the movement of celestial objects.
  • Objects moving toward Earth experience blue shifts, while those moving away show red shifts.
  • Example shifts:
    • 610 nm to 580 nm and 512 nm to 480 nm indicate movement toward Earth.
    • 400 nm to 430 nm and 670 nm to 690 nm indicate movement away from Earth.

Astronomical Tools

  • Space telescopes capture images from outside Earth's atmosphere.
  • Optical telescopes provide magnified views of celestial objects.
  • Radio telescopes detect radio waves outside the visible spectrum.
  • Photography allows sharing of celestial images for scientific comparison.

Big Bang Sequence

  • The universe originated from a singular point and expanded.
  • Key events include forming atomic nuclei, hydrogen fusing into helium, and creating neutral atoms.

Cosmic Microwave Background

  • The cosmic microwave background (CMB) was discovered using radio telescopes.
  • A fundamental prediction of the big bang theory is distant galaxies moving away from Earth.

Stellar Life Cycle

  • Dying stars produce heavy elements like iron and gold through supernova explosions.
  • Star classification can include stages such as main sequence, giant, supergiant, and white dwarf.

Nuclear Fusion

  • Nuclear fusion in stars typically involves hydrogen nuclei fusing to form helium.
  • Conditions promoting fusion include high temperature and increased gravitational attraction.

Formation of Solar Systems

  • A solar system forms from a rotating nebula that flattens and shrinks, leading to nuclear fusion.
  • Terrestrial planets are denser and form closer to the Sun due to higher temperatures.

Planet Composition

  • Terrestrial planets include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars due to their solid composition.
  • Gas giants are primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, such as Jupiter and Saturn.
  • Ice giants like Uranus and Neptune have a unique composition distinct from gas giants.

Tides and Gravity

  • Tides on Earth are influenced more by the Moon than the Sun due to proximity.
  • Absence of gravity would prevent the accretion of rocks and debris into planets.

Earth-Moon Relationship

  • The Moon's formation aligns with the giant impact theory, suggesting an early collision with a Mars-sized body.
  • Earth's axial tilt leads to seasonal changes and affects phenomena such as solstices.

Observational Phenomena

  • The view of solar and lunar eclipses differs based on the observer's location (Earth vs. Moon).
  • Observations of celestial bodies like Polaris provide insights into Earth's axial rotation.

Summary of Key Concepts

  • Understanding celestial mechanics requires knowledge of forces, distances, and the life cycles of stars.
  • Utilizing telescopes and various observational tools helps gather data on the universe.
  • The formation and evolution of planetary systems implicate crucial astrophysical processes and historical events.### Venus and Neptune Characteristics
  • Venus has a thick atmosphere that traps heat, contributing to its status as the hottest planet.
  • Venus experiences retrograde rotation, spinning clockwise when viewed from above.
  • Neptune features visible bands, clouds, and rings in its atmosphere.
  • Neptune has 13 known moons, with Triton being the largest.

Planet Attributes

  • Earth is recognized as the densest planet in the solar system.
  • Venus is identified as the hottest planet due to its greenhouse gas effects.
  • Jupiter holds the title of the largest planet in the solar system.
  • Mercury is known as the smallest planet in the solar system.

Planet vs. Non-Planet Objects

  • Objects that orbit the Sun are classified as planets if their surrounding regions are free from debris.
  • Satellites, such as moons, fall under non-planet classifications and can have different shapes, like triangular.

Earth's Water States

  • Earth can sustain water in solid, liquid, and gas states due to its ideal temperature, related to its distance from the Sun.

Kepler's Third Law

  • Kepler's third law relates the orbital period (P) to the semimajor axis (A) of an orbiting body through the equation P² = kA³.
  • For Mars, with a semimajor axis of 1.52 AU and an orbital period of 687 days, the constant k is calculated as 1.34 × 10⁵.

Jupiter's Characteristics

  • Jupiter's composition primarily consists of hydrogen and helium.
  • It features colorful bands formed by its gaseous surface, indicating its location in the outer region of the solar system.

Mars and the Inner Solar System

  • Mars is characterized by its rocky surface, suggesting a solid terrain suitable for standing, indicating its position in the inner solar system.

Astronomical Indicators

  • A star is deemed part of a planetary system if it exhibits periodic dimming, which can indicate transiting planets.

Similarities Between Earth and Venus

  • Both Earth and Venus showcase evidence of volcanic activity, an important geological feature.

Stellar Element Identification

  • Stars can have their compositions determined through the absorption wavelengths of light:
    • Star 1 contains Helium.
    • Star 2 has Sulfur.
    • Star 3 features Carbon.

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Description

Test your knowledge of astronomical units and distances with this flashcard quiz. It covers concepts such as the distance from Earth to Mars and the comparison between astronomical units and light-years. Perfect for anyone looking to solidify their understanding of these important topics in astronomy.

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