Motion of the Planets Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the definition of Geocentric Solar System?

Sun Centered

Earth Centered (correct)

Galaxy Centered

Moon Centered

What is the definition of Heliocentric Solar System?

Sun Centered (correct)

Moon Centered

Galaxy Centered

Earth Centered

What is Retrograde Motion?

Apparent backwards looping motion of the planets.

What did the Copernican Revolution state?

The Heliocentric model was correct. Signup and view all the answers

What is Occam's razor?

The best theory is the simplest theory. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Isaac Newton?

A physicist who discovered the law of gravitation and invented calculus. Signup and view all the answers

What is Newton's 1st Law of Motion?

An object continues at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless acted upon by some force. Signup and view all the answers

What does Newton's 2nd Law of Motion state?

F (force) = m (mass) x a (acceleration). Signup and view all the answers

What is Newton's 3rd Law of Motion?

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Signup and view all the answers

What two forces keep planets orbiting around the Sun?

Inertia and Gravity. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are Terrestrial Planets?

Mars Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are Jovian Planets?

Uranus Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 interior layers of the Sun?

Core, Radioactive zone, Convective zone. Signup and view all the answers

What are the atmospheres of the Sun?

Corona Signup and view all the answers

What does Kepler's 1st Law of Planetary Motion state?

Planets travel in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one foci of the ellipse. Signup and view all the answers

What does Kepler's 2nd Law of Planetary Motion explain?

A line drawn from the planet to the Sun sweeps out equal areas in equal amounts of time. Signup and view all the answers

What is Kepler's 3rd Law of Planetary Motion?

P (squared) = D (cubed). Signup and view all the answers

According to the Harmonic Law, the planets that are closer to the Sun have periods of revolution and travel more on their orbital paths.

SHORTER, QUICKLY. Signup and view all the answers

Example of the Harmonic Law: If Jupiter's distance from the Sun is 5.2 AU, what is the period of revolution?

12 years. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Galileo Galilei?

An astronomer who made significant observations with a telescope, including sunspots and moons of Jupiter. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Greenhouse Effect?

A natural process that allows the Earth to retain some of the heat it receives from the Sun. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Solar System Models

Geocentric Solar System: Earth-centered model where planets revolve around the Earth.
Heliocentric Solar System: Sun-centered model proposed by Copernicus, stating that planets revolve around the sun.
Retrograde Motion: Apparent backward looping motion of planets, observed in the heliocentric model.

Copernican Revolution

Copernicus (1473-1543): Proposed the heliocentric model, contradicting the geocentric view. Established that planets revolve around the sun.
Occam's Razor: Principle suggesting that the simplest theory with the fewest assumptions is preferred.

Isaac Newton's Contributions

Isaac Newton (1642-1727): Key figure in physics, known for the law of gravitation and principles of motion.
Newton's 1st Law of Motion: Describes inertia; an object in rest or uniform motion stays that way unless acted upon by a force.
Newton's 2nd Law of Motion: Expressed as F=ma; states that an object's motion is caused by force, mass, and acceleration.
Newton's 3rd Law of Motion: "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction".

Planetary Motion

Orbital Forces: Planets orbit the sun due to two forces: inertia and gravity.
Terrestrial Planets: Include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars; characterized by rocky surfaces.
Jovian Planets: Gas giants including Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

Structure of the Sun

Interior Layers:
- Core: Site of nuclear fusion, primarily helium and hydrogen.
- Radioactive Zone: Energy is transferred through radiation.
- Convective Zone: Energy is released via convection.

Sun's Atmosphere

Photosphere: Visible surface of the sun, emits light with a temperature around 5800 K.
Chromosphere: Layer of the sun's atmosphere, transparent to light.
Corona: Outer atmosphere, visible during solar eclipses.

Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion

Kepler's 1st Law: Planets travel in elliptical orbits with the sun at one focus.
Kepler's 2nd Law: A line from a planet to the sun sweeps equal areas in equal times, indicating variable speeds of planetary motion.
Kepler's 3rd Law (Harmonic Law): Relationship between the period (P) of revolution and distance (D) from the sun: P² = D³. Closer planets have shorter orbital periods.

Harmonic Law Example

If Jupiter is 5.2 AU from the Sun:
- P² = (5.2)³ = 140.6, thus P ≈ 12 years for its period of revolution.

Galileo Galilei

Galileo (1564-1642): Made significant astronomical observations using the telescope, including sunspots and moons orbiting Jupiter.
He faced house arrest for advocating the heliocentric model.

Greenhouse Effect

A natural phenomenon that allows Earth to retain heat from the sun, promoting a habitable climate.

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Description

Explore the key concepts of planetary motion with these flashcards. Learn terms like 'Geocentric' and 'Heliocentric' as well as important historical figures, such as Copernicus. This quiz is perfect for anyone studying astronomy and the evolution of our understanding of the solar system.