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Earth and Space Science > PHS 200 Test 1 Study Deck > Flashcards

PHS 200 Test 1 Study Deck Flashcards

1
Q

Weather (definition)

A

state of atmosphere at a give time or place (varies daily)

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2
Q

Climate (definition)

A

aka “average weather”; generalization of weather conditions (based on gradual observations); variations and extremes are included; ex: rainfall, dryness of atmosphere, air quality, humidity

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3
Q

Elements (definition)

A

quantities or properties that are measured regularly (of weather/climate: 6 types = air temperature, humidity, type/amount of cloudiness, type/amount of precipitation, air pressure, and speed/direction of wind

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4
Q

Perihelion vs Aphelion (definitions)

A

Perihelion = point of Earth CLOSEST TO Sun (summer); Aphelion = point of Earth FARTHEST FROM Sun (winter); (both while in points of orbit)

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5
Q

Cause of Seasons

A
  • Gradual change in angle (altitude) of Sun above horizon
    -Daylight changes
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6
Q

Earth’s Orbit Angle (Inclination of axis)

A

23.5 degrees; pointed toward North Star

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7
Q

Solstices and Equinoxes

A

-Solstices = summer (June 21st) and winter (December 21st)
-Equinoxes = spring (March 21st) and fall (September 21st)

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8
Q

Constellations and Zodiac (definitions)

A

-Constellations = patterns of stars in the night sky; ex: Orion the Hunter
-Zodiac = planets, Sun and Moon = all appear in band in sky (ex: Capricorn, Scorpio)

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9
Q

Celestial Sphere (definition)

A

Imaginary hollow sphere (stars = hung and carried around Earth); N and S celestial poles; celestial equator
-Measurements = direction (degrees clockwise from due North) and altitude above horizon (location of astronomical objects); angular size and distance

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10
Q

Mean Solar Day vs. Sidereal Day

A

-Mean Solar Day = average time between two passages of Sun across local celestial median
-Sidereal day = period of Earth’s rotation with respect to the stars

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11
Q

Orbit of Earth/planets

A

Ecliptic orbits

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12
Q

Synodic month (definition)

A

period of revolution of the Moon in respect to the Sun; 29.5 days

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13
Q

Sidereal month (definition)

A

Revolution of Moon around Earth in respect to the stars

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14
Q

Phases of Moon/# of phases

A

6 phases; crescent (2 days after New Moon), waxing (1 week after Crescent Moon), first-quarter (1 week after waxing moon), full moon (one week after first-quarter moon), waning (1 week after Full moon), and new moon (1 week after waning moon)

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15
Q

Eclipses

A

-Solar eclipse (called “umbra”; eclipse of Sun; Moon hides Sun; partial shadow = “penumbra”)
-Lunar eclipse (eclipse of Moon)

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16
Q

Moon’s diameter (in respect to Earth’s diameter)

A

1/4 of Earth’s diameter (due to low mass and extreme density)

17
Q

Maria (definition)

A

smooth surfaces of Moon; thought to be seas (orignially)

18
Q

Relationship between Earth and Moon

A

-Isotopic twins (made of same materials)
-Moon = composed of remnants from Earth exploding
-Earth’s lunar orbit = moving outward (increases daylight hours)

19
Q

Lunar Perigee (definition)

A

point of orbit of Moon or satellite nearest to Earth

20
Q

Jovian vs. Terrestrial Planets

A

-Jovian = larger planets (Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus); farther away from Sun (outside asteroid belt)
-Terrestrial = closer to Sun (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars)

21
Q

1 AU

A

distance from Earth to Sun

22
Q

Nicholaus Copernicus (definition)

A

-orbits of planets = circular
-Heliocentrism creator (Sun = center of Universe)
-“On the Revolution of the Heavenly Spheres)

23
Q

Tycho Brahe (definition)

A

-created pointers (telescopes) to measure locations of celestial bodies

24
Q

Stellar Parallax

A

star position = shifted (also known as star displacement)

25
Q

Johannes Kepler (definition)

A

-3 laws of planetary motion
1.) Planet orbit = ellipse
2.)Planet’s orbital speed = depends on distance from Sun (faster = closer to Sun; slower = farther from Sun)
3.) Planet’s orbital period = proportional

26
Q

Galileo Galilei (definition)

A
  • “Dialogue of the Great World Systems” (Geocentrism vs. Heliocentrism)
    -Jupiter = 4 moons
    -Planets = spheres
    -Venus = same phases as Moon
    -Moon’s surface - not smooth
    -Sun has sunspots
    -First scientist to use telescope in Astronomy
27
Q

Sir Isaac Newton (definition)

A

-3 laws of motion
1.) Object in motion stays in motion; object at rest will stay at rest
2.) Force = mass * acceleration
3.)Every action has an equal or opposite reaction

28
Q

Earth’s spheres

A

1.)Hydrosphere (water portion; precipitation, condensations, and evaporation)
2.) Atmosphere (gas portion; shallow layer; protects against Sun’s UV rays; gives air to breathe)
3.) Geosphere (solid part; Earth = chemical and physical properties)
4.) Biosphere (all life on Earth; helps life adapt to different environments)

29
Q

Earth System (definition)

A

dynamic system of interacting parts and processes

30
Q

Freshwater from hydrosphere

A

1.)Glaciers
2.)Groundwater
3.)All other freshwater

31
Q

Earth’s layers

A

1.) core (iron/nickel)
2.) mantle (3 layers; solid lower, high-density rock mantle, and solid upper)
3.) crust (high and thin outer layer of Earth)

32
Q

Hydrologic cycle (definition)

A

subsystem (matter = repeatedly recycled)
-precipitation (rain or snow)
-transpiration (water vapor released by plants)
-infiltration
-groundwater
-surface flow
-evaporation
-condensation (cloud formation)

33
Q

Planet Order Mneumonic

A

My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune)

34
Q

Planetesimal (definition)

A

solid celestial body; 1st stage of planetary formation

35
Q

Kuiper Belt (definition)

A

region outside of Neptune (origination of short-period comets)

36
Q

Oort Cloud (definition)

A

location of comets that orbit Sun (very far away from Sun)

37
Q

Meter vs. Meteroid

A

-Meteor: aka shooting star
-Meteoroid: small solid particles; have orbits in solar system; orgin = comet remains

38
Q

Meteorites (definition)

A

irons, stony, or stony-irons; remains of meteoroids

Earth and Space Science (7 decks)

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