15 - Astronomy and Atmospheric Science

Question 1

Define:

atmosphere

Answer 1

It is a thin layer of gases surrounding the surface of a planet.

Question 2

List:

The main components of the Earth’s atmosphere.

Answer 2

• Nitrogen gas
• Oxygen gas
• Argon

Nitrogen makes up 78%, oxygen 21% and argon a small percentage.

Question 3

List:

The layers of the atmosphere.

Answer 3

• Troposphere
• Stratosphere
• Mesosphere
• Thermosphere
• Exosphere

Question 4

Identify:

The layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs.

Answer 4

Troposphere

It is the atmosphere’s lowest layer, home to humans and all other life forms.

Question 5

Mention:

The layer that contains the ozone layer.

Answer 5

Stratosphere

It is is above the troposphere.

Question 6

Identify:

The primary function of the ozone layer.

Answer 6

To absorb ultraviolet light.

This protects living organisms from harmful UV radiation.

Question 7

Mention:

The range of the mesosphere in miles.

Answer 7

31-50 miles above the Earth’s surface.

This layer is characterized by cold temperatures.

Question 8

Mention:

Two main characteristics of the thermosphere.

Answer 8

It is very low density and it is home to the International Space Station.

It extends from 50 to 440 miles above Earth.

Question 9

Identify:

The two most abundant gases in Earth’s atmosphere.

Answer 9

• Nitrogen (78%)
• Oxygen (21%)

Together, they account for about 99% of the atmosphere.

Question 10

List:

Three important greenhouse gases.

Answer 10

• Carbon dioxide
• Methane
• Water vapor

These gases contribute to the greenhouse effect.

Question 11

Mention:

The percentage of the atmosphere made up of water vapor.

Answer 11

0.4%

Water vapor levels vary based on humidity.

Question 12

Define:

weather

Answer 12

The state of the atmosphere at a particular moment in time, including heat, dryness, wind or sunshine.

Weather is influenced by seasons, climate and fronts.

Question 13

Why is it important to understand different kinds of weather?

Answer 13

It enables meteorologists to predict future weather events and prepare for severe weather emergencies.

Meteorologists study weather patterns and use forecasting techniques.

Question 14

How does rain form?

Answer 14

When water vapor in the clouds condensates into large droplets and falls to the Earth.

Rain is also known as precipitation.

Question 15

Explain:

The difference between a thunderstorm and a hurricane.

Answer 15

• A thunderstorm includes heavy rainfall, lightning and thunder. It may also involve strong winds and hail.
• A hurricane is more severe than a thunderstorm. It involves swirling storms with extremely strong and destructive winds.

Question 16

Describe:

A blizzard

Answer 16

A severe winter weather event characterized by large amounts of snowfall and high winds above 35 miles per hour.

Snowstorms (snow, sleet or freezing rain) occur when temperatures are below freezing.

Question 17

List:

Two characteristics of cirrus clouds.

Answer 17

• High altitude
• Feathery clouds

Image Source

Cirrus clouds are often seen in fair weather.

Question 18

List:

Two characteristics of cumulus.

Answer 18

• Low-level altitude
• White “cotton ball” clouds

Image Source

Question 19

Define:

A sandstorm

Answer 19

A weather event specific to hot, dry areas where high winds pick up sand.

Sandstorms can reach heights of 10 to 50 feet.

Question 20

Explain:

What role does wind play in weather?

Answer 20

It carries moisture and heat, causing changes in weather.

Wind travels from high pressure to low pressure areas.

Question 21

List:

The five different climate types.

Answer 21

• Tropical: Avg. 64°F year-round
• Dry: Summer temperatures up to 104°F
• Temperate: Avg. 32-68°F
• Continental: Winters below -22°F
• Polar: Below 50°F year-round

Question 22

Explain:

What happens during a warm front?

Answer 22

A warm air mass pushes into a colder one, causing storms.

Warm fronts are indicated by red lines on weather maps.

Question 23

Explain:

What happens during a cold front?

Answer 23

When a cold air mass pushes into a warm one, bringing strong winds and temperature drops.

Cold fronts are represented by blue lines on weather maps.

Question 24

Describe:

What happens during a stationary front?

Answer 24

A front that stops moving, causing long periods of fog and rain.

Stationary fronts are depicted with both red and blue on weather maps.

Question 25

# Explain: The main **difference** between *weather* and *climate*.

Answer 25

* **Weather** refers to **short-term atmospheric conditions**. * **Climate** refers to **long-term average atmospheric conditions**. ## Footnote **Weather** is typically assessed over hours or days, while **climate** is assessed over years or decades.

Question 26

# List: The elements that contribute to **weather**.

Answer 26

* Distance from the sun * Latitudinal location * Air pressure * Water ## Footnote These elements significantly affect the **weather patterns** experienced in different regions.

Question 27

# Define: meteorologist

Answer 27

**Scientist that study the weather** and predict it based on atmospheric conditions. ## Footnote They utilize tools like **satellites**, **radars** and **barometers** to gather data.

Question 28

# Explain: Why is studying **weather** important?

Answer 28

It can impact human activity and save lives in severe situations. ## Footnote Accurate **forecasts** can inform decisions like trip planning or evacuations during storms.

Question 29

# Identify: The **agency** that studies **weather** and **climate patterns** in the United States.

Answer 29

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | (**NOAA**) ## Footnote NOAA updates climate information every 10 years based on data from the previous 30 years.

Question 30

# Define: climatologist

Answer 30

A **scientist** who studies the **climate**. ## Footnote Notable climatologists include **Thomas Jefferson**, **Benjamin Franklin** and **Hippocrates**.

Question 31

# Fill in the blank: **Weather** is usually scaled to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_.

Answer 31

minutes, hours or days

Question 32

# Fill in the blank: **Climate** is usually scaled to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_.

Answer 32

seasons, years or decades

Question 33

# Define: galaxy

Answer 33

A large gravitationally bound **system of stars**, interstellar dust, **nebulae**, **stellar remnants** and **dark matter**. ## Footnote Most galaxies contain a central **supermassive black hole**.

Question 34

# Identify: Who classified **galaxies** into three primary types?

Answer 34

Edwin Hubble

Question 35

# List: The three main types of **galaxies**.

Answer 35

* Spiral * Elliptical * Irregular ## Footnote They can be further subdivided into categories within these main types. There is a semicategory called **lenticular**, where galaxies have similarities to **elliptical** and **spiral galaxies**.

Question 36

# List: The characteristics of **spiral galaxies**.

Answer 36

* Spiraling arms. * A central bulge. * Mass distributed in a disk-like shape. ## Footnote They can include subtypes like **barred spiral** and **lenticular-spiral galaxies**.

Question 37

# Describe: A lenticular-spiral galaxy

Answer 37

A galaxy with a **central bulge** and a **flattened disk**, but no spiral arms. ## Footnote It has characteristics of both **spiral** and **elliptical galaxies**.

Question 38

# Explain: What differentiates **elliptical galaxies** from **spiral galaxies**?

Answer 38

Elliptical galaxies have an **elliptical shape** and **lack spiral arms**. ## Footnote They range from **E0** (**nearly spherical**) to **E7** (**more elongated**).

Question 39

# Fill in the blank: The **Milky Way** is a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ galaxy.

Answer 39

spiral ## Footnote It contains **Earth** and its **solar system**.

Question 40

# Mention: The estimated number of **galaxies** in the observable **Universe**.

Answer 40

100 to 200 billion. ## Footnote This estimate reflects the vastness of the **Universe**.

Question 41

# Define: A supermassive black hole

Answer 41

A **black hole** at the center of most **galaxies**. ## Footnote They are regions of spacetime with gravitational wells so strong that nothing can escape.

Question 42

# Explain: The role **dark matter** plays in **galaxies**.

Answer 42

It may account for **85% of the matter in the Universe** and affects **galaxy spin**. ## Footnote **Dark matter** helps explain why galaxies do not rip apart despite their spin.

Question 43

# Define: Solar system

Answer 43

It comprises **a single sun** and **eight planets** orbiting around it, along with **moons**, **asteroids**, **comets**, **meteoroids**, **dwarf planets** and **meteorites**. ## Footnote The **Milky Way Galaxy** contains approximately **3,200 different solar systems**.

Question 44

# List: The **planets** of the solar system.

Answer 44

* **M**ercury * **V**enus * **E**arth * **M**ars * **J**upiter * **S**aturn * **U**ranus * **N**eptune ## Footnote '**M**y **V**ery **E**ducated **M**other **J**ust **S**erved **U**s **N**achos' is a mnemonic that helps recall the planets in order from the Sun.

Question 45

# List: The four terrestrial planets.

Answer 45

* Mercury * Venus * Earth * Mars ## Footnote **Terrestrial planets** have a **solid surface** and are smaller than **Jovian planets**.

Question 46

# List: The Jovian planets

Answer 46

* Jupiter * Saturn * Uranus * Neptune ## Footnote These planets are larger than terrestrial planets.

Question 47

# Define: moon

Answer 47

A **celestial body** that **orbits a planet** rather than the sun and has enough gravitational pull to be shaped into a sphere. ## Footnote **Earth** has one large moon, while **Mercury** and **Venus** have none.

Question 48

# Define: asteroids

Answer 48

**Large celestial bodies** made up of metal, rock or a combination of the two, and they also orbit the sun. ## Footnote **Asteroids** are considered **minor planets**.

Question 49

# Define: comets

Answer 49

**Small, icy bodies** made of frozen gases, rocks and cosmic dust. ## Footnote They develop a **gas tail** as they approach the sun due to **melting ice**.

Question 50

# Define: meteoroids

Answer 50

**Celestial bodies that float through space** and can be made of various materials. ## Footnote They are smaller than **asteroids**.

Question 51

# Explain: What happens to a **meteoroid** when it enters **Earth's atmosphere**?

Answer 51

It heats up due to friction and **becomes a meteor**. ## Footnote Many **meteors** disintegrate during this passage.

Question 52

# Define: meteorite

Answer 52

It is the **material from a meteor** that survives its passage through the atmosphere and **hits the ground**. ## Footnote **Meteoroids**, **meteors** and **meteorites** refer to the same body at different stages.

Question 53

# Define: A star

Answer 53

An **astronomical body that shines from radiation** produced through nuclear reactions. ## Footnote **Stars** are primarily composed of **hydrogen** and **helium**.

Question 54

# Identify: The **elements** that **stars** primarily fuse during their lifecycle.

Answer 54

**Hydrogen** and **helium**, followed by heavier elements as they age. ## Footnote More massive stars can fuse elements heavier than helium.

Question 55

# Explain: What happens to a **star** at the end of its life?

Answer 55

It releases most of its mass back into the **interstellar medium**, forming a planetary **nebula** or a **supernova**. ## Footnote This process distributes heavier elements in the universe.

Question 56

# List: The three main phases of an average **star's life cycle**.

Answer 56

* Yellow dwarf * Red giant * White dwarf ## Footnote The **Sun** is currently in the **yellow dwarf phase**.

Question 57

# Identify: The lifespan of **average stars**.

Answer 57

Between 50 million and 20 billion years. ## Footnote **Lifespan** varies based on **mass**.

Question 58

# Explain: What happens when **high-mass stars** exhaust their fuel?

Answer 58

They experience a **supernova** and may end up as **neutron stars** or **black holes**. ## Footnote These stars have much shorter lifespans compared to average stars.

Question 59

# Explain: How does a **star's life** begin?

Answer 59

**Stars** form from matter in space through **gravitational attraction** in **molecular clouds** or **nebulae**. ## Footnote Small density differences in the clouds lead to collapse.

Question 60

# Describe: A black dwarf

Answer 60

**A white dwarf that has cooled** and no longer emits light. ## Footnote This is the **final stage** of an average **star's lifecycle**.

Question 61

# List: Three types of **objects** in the **solar system** that **orbit the sun**.

Answer 61

* Asteroids * Meteors * Comets ## Footnote These objects are made from materials that did not form the **sun**, **planets** or their **moons**.

Question 62

# Identify: The size range of **asteroids**.

Answer 62

Less than one kilometer to hundreds of kilometers wide. ## Footnote **Ceres** is the largest body in the **asteroid belt** at 1,000 kilometers in diameter.

Question 63

# Identify: Where are most **asteroids** located?

Answer 63

In the **asteroid belt** between Mars and Jupiter. ## Footnote This region was created by planetary bodies colliding due to Jupiter's gravity.

Question 64

# List: The two categories of **comets** based on their **orbital period**.

Answer 64

* **Long-period** comets (orbit > 200 years) * **Short-period** comets (orbit < 200 years) ## Footnote **Long-period comets** originate from the **Oort Cloud**, while **short-period comets** come from the **Kuiper Belt**.

Question 65

# Mention: The potential impact of a **comet** hitting Earth.

Answer 65

Catastrophic damage and climate changes. ## Footnote The gases released would lead to **mass extinction**.

Question 66

# Mention: A significant difference between **meteors** and **asteroids**.

Answer 66

Meteors are smaller and enter the Earth's atmosphere. ## Footnote Asteroids can be hundreds of kilometers wide.

Question 67

# Define: A dwarf planet

Answer 67

It is a large round object that orbits the Sun but **has not cleared its orbital path**. ## Footnote Typically found in the **asteroid belt** or **Kuiper belt**, **dwarf planets** are large but **not as large as regular planets** and cannot exert **orbital dominance**.

Question 68

# Identify: The materials that primarily compose **Ceres**.

Answer 68

Mostly **ice** and **rock**. ## Footnote Named after the **Roman** goddess of harvests, **Ceres** is located in the **asteroid belt**.

Question 69

# Mention: The average distance of **Pluto** from the **Sun**.

Answer 69

3.67 billion miles ## Footnote **Pluto** was considered a planet until its reclassification in 2006.

Question 70

# List: The gases found in the atmosphere of **Pluto**.

Answer 70

* Nitrogen * Methane * Carbon monoxide ## Footnote Pluto has a thin atmosphere with a blue tint.