Astrophysics Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What does astrophysics relate to?

Mapping celestial bodies

Study of terrain and rocks on celestial bodies

Relating physics properties and laws to planets, stars, galaxies, etc. (correct)

Searching for life on other planets

What is astrometry?

Mapping of all celestial bodies

What is astrobiology?

Search for living organisms in/on celestial bodies

What is astrogeology?

Study of terrain/rocks on celestial bodies Signup and view all the answers

What is a theory?

Why something happens (not that it might not be true) Signup and view all the answers

What is a law?

What happens Signup and view all the answers

What is The Big Bang?

Not an explosion, an expansion Signup and view all the answers

What is matter?

All matter originated in a singular point; extremely dense and hot, all matter was pure energy. Signup and view all the answers

What does Einstein's Theory of Relativity describe?

His Theory of Relativity clashed with quantum mechanics. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Georges Lemaître?

Belgian priest who first proposed the Big Bang Theory. Signup and view all the answers

What is redshift?

The frequency of light from stars caused redshift and shows that the universe is expanding. Signup and view all the answers

What evidence is cited as proof for the Big Bang?

Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) Signup and view all the answers

What is the Planck Era?

Began after the Big Bang occurred; temperature was too hot for any common matter. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the forces of nature as the universe cools down?

Unified force starts to separate into distinct forces of nature. Signup and view all the answers

What is gravity?

The attractive force between two objects that increases with small distance and large size. Signup and view all the answers

What is the strong nuclear force?

The force holding subatomic particles in atomic nuclei together. Signup and view all the answers

What is the weak nuclear force?

Responsible for converting subatomic particles from one to another. Signup and view all the answers

What is the electromagnetic force?

Force holding opposite charges together. Signup and view all the answers

What is the creation of elementary particles?

Temperature cooling down; pure energy into matter. Signup and view all the answers

What are quarks?

½ integer spin, ± ⅓, ⅔ charge; can group in odd/even amounts. Signup and view all the answers

What are leptons?

½ integer spin, whole # charge; includes neutrinos. Signup and view all the answers

What are bosons?

0, ± 1 spin and charge; act primarily as force carriers. Signup and view all the answers

What is energy imbalance?

Enough energy transforms into a matter-antimatter pair, which self-annihilate back into energy. Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the interactions of elementary particles?

Elementary particles are very densely packed; quark-quark strong interactions. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during partner formation?

Quarks spread out and attach to partners, leading to hadrons. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs in the formation of nuclei and atoms?

Electrons and protons pair to create nuclei, mostly hydrogen and helium. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs 2 minutes after the Big Bang?

Temperature at half the temperature of the Sun, free electrons combine with nuclei. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Astrophysics Terminology

Astrophysics: Focuses on the physical properties and laws governing celestial bodies like stars and galaxies.
Astrometry: Involves mapping and measuring the positions of celestial bodies in space.
Astrobiology: Investigates the potential for life on celestial bodies and the existence of living organisms elsewhere in the universe.
Astrogeology: Studies the geological characteristics and terrain of celestial bodies.

Scientific Concepts

Theory: Provides explanations for observed phenomena but does not guarantee truth.
Law: Describes consistent outcomes in nature based on observational evidence.

Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang: Refers to the universe's expansion from an extremely hot and dense state not considered an explosion.
Matter: Originated from a singular point with extreme density and energy, as shown in the equation E=mc², which relates energy, mass, and the speed of light.

Historical Contributions

Einstein's Theory of Relativity: Contrasts with quantum mechanics and addresses the behavior of matter at a cosmic scale.
Georges Lemaître: Proposed the Big Bang Theory, observing the reduction in density and temperature along with redshift phenomena.

Redshift Phenomenon

Redshift: Occurs when the frequency of light from distant stars decreases, indicating that the universe is enlarging.
Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB): Radiative evidence supporting the Big Bang, showcasing early universe conditions as it cooled.

Stages of the Universe

Planck Era: Initial stage post-Big Bang characterized by exceedingly high temperature and energy, unsuitable for common matter.
Forces of Nature: Unified force separated into distinctive forces (gravity, strong nuclear, weak nuclear, and electromagnetic) as the universe cooled.

Elementary Particle Formation

Creation of Elementary Particles: Transition from pure energy to matter as temperature decreased. Building blocks include quarks, leptons, and bosons.
Quarks: Possess fractional charges and combine in varying odd/even configurations.
Leptons: Include neutrinos, and the electron with a charge of -1.
Bosons: Act as force carriers; includes gluons (strong force) and photons (electromagnetic radiation traveling at light speed).

Energy Dynamics

Energy Imbalance: Majority of energy turned into matter-antimatter pairs, leading to annihilation, while a matter surplus allowed for stability in matter formation.

###Interactions and Structures

Interactions of Elementary Particles: Quarks densely packed facilitating strong interactions, leading to asymmetries.
Partner Formation: As conditions cooled, quarks merged into hadrons, maintaining matter-antimatter imbalance.

Nuclei and Atom Formation

Formation of Nuclei and Atoms: Universe expanding with significant diameter, resulting in protons and neutrons pairing to form hydrogen (90%) and helium (10%) nuclei.
Formation Process: Half the temperature of the Sun allowed free electrons to combine with nuclei, generating visible light as they lost energy.

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Description

Explore the fundamental terms and definitions of astrophysics in this first chapter flashcard quiz. Each card will help you understand key concepts such as astrometry, astrobiology, and astrogeology. This is an essential tool for anyone looking to master the language of the cosmos.

Astrophysics Flashcards - Chapter 1