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Astronomy A105 > Exam #1 > Flashcards

Exam #1 Flashcards

1
Q

Define Constellation

A

Astronomers divide the sky into 88 sections that they call constellations. These constellations are based off the traditional constellation patterns.

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2
Q

What is an Astronomical Unit (AU)

A

the average distance between the Earth and the Sun. 150 million km.

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3
Q

What is the Zodiac

A

a band of sky where the sun, moon, and planets are found.

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4
Q

How many traditional constellations lie along the zodiac

A

12

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5
Q

Why do we see different constellations at different times of the year

A

Since the earth orbits the sun we are not capable of seeing those constellations that are being blocked by the suns light.

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6
Q

What is a sky chart

A

it shows the parts of the sky that are above the horizon

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7
Q

What does the outer circle of a sky chart represent

A

the horizon

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8
Q

If you are looking North, how should you hold a sky chart?

A

The direction you are facing should be at the bottom of the sky chart

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9
Q

What is a pointer star

A

stars used to direct you to other constellations (?)

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10
Q

How do the pointer stars in the Big Dipper help you find Polaris

A

The pointer stars of the BD are the two that create the outside of the spoons bowl. If you follow them upward (as if the spoon were sitting on a table) that would lead you to Polaris

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11
Q

What is actually moving on a water wave

A

wave crests and energy

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12
Q

What is electromagnetic radiation

A

also known as light, which is a means by which energy is transported through space as a wave

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13
Q

What effect does electromagnetic radiation have on electrons

A

the wave causes electrons to oscillate back and forth perpendicular to the direction the wave is traveling

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14
Q

What is the absolute speed limit in the universe

A

the speed of light

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15
Q

Define wavelength (lambda)

A

the length of a wave cycle/ the length from one wave crest to the next wave crest

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16
Q

Define frequency (v)

A

the number of wave crests passing a point per time

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17
Q

Define amplitude (mew=u)

A

the height of a wave above the undisturbed level

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18
Q

Equation for speed, wavelength, and frequency

A

[wavelength] x [frequency] = [speed]

19
Q

What is a nanometer (nm)

A

one-billionth of a meter (1 x 10^-9)

20
Q

What is the approximate range of wavelength for visible/ what wavelengths can we see

A

700 nm (red) to 400 nm (violet)

21
Q

What does the term “near” mean in reference to near infrared or near ultraviolet

A

it indicates the location relative to our visible spectrum. Near infrared would be just over 700nm

22
Q

What is a photon

A

it is the smallest unit of electromagnetic radiation and cannot be divided–its like the atoms of light. The energy of a photon is proportional to its frequency and inversely proportional to its wave crest

23
Q

The higher the photon energy…

A

the more the particle-like nature of photons is apparent.

24
Q

What is a transverse wave

A

the direction of oscillation is perpendicular to the direction of wave travel

25
Q

What is a longitudinal wave

A

the direction of oscillation is parallel to the direction of the wave travel

26
Q

Is a water wave transverse or longitudinal

A

Trick question! It’s both

27
Q

List the types of electromagnetic radiation in order from highest wavelength to shortest

A

radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-ray, gamma-ray

28
Q

What is absolute zero, freezing pt., and boiling pt. in Fahrenheit

A

-459. 32. 212.

29
Q

What is absolute zero, freezing pt., and boiling pt. in Celsius

A

-273. 0. 100.

30
Q

What is absolute zero, freezing pt., and boiling pt. in Kelvin

A
    1. 373.
31
Q

What is a black body

A

a hypothetical body that absorbs all of the electromagnetic radiation on its surface and is purely non-reflective and opaque

32
Q

What is black body radiation

A

the radiation of a black body at a particular temperature in which it would emit the maximum amount of energy possible for that temperature

33
Q

What is a spectrum

A

a separation of light into its constituent wavelengths using a prism or grating

34
Q

Why are spectra useful to astronomers

A

It allows them to determine how much light is received at each wavelength. This allows astronomers to determine the physical nature of the object that emits the light

35
Q

What is a spectral line

A

a sharp peak or dip in a spectrum at a particular wavelength

36
Q

What is an emission line

A

a peak in a spectral line. The spectrum is visible not as a continuous spectrum but as certain spikes with little to no radiation between. The peaks are caused by emission of energy by atoms.

37
Q

What is an absorption line

A

a dip in a spectral line. The spectrum is visible as continuous spectrum with dips at certain wavelengths. The dips are caused by absorption of energy by atoms and molecules.

38
Q

When will you see a continuous spectrum

A

a hot solid object or dense gas

39
Q

When will you see an emission-line spectrum

A

a low density, hot gas

40
Q

When will you see an absorption-line spectrum

A

a low density, cool gas

41
Q

What is the relationship between the size of an electron orbit in an atom and the energy of the orbit

A

larger orbit= higher energy, and vise versa

42
Q

What causes photons to be emitted and absorbed by atoms

A

Photons are emitted when electrons drop to lower energy levels and absorbed when they move to higher energy levels

43
Q

Give an example of an absorption-line and emission-line spectrum

A

normal stars and some other astronomical objects

44
Q

What is the Doppler effect

A

The effect of a wave getting louder or quicker as it moves closer to you

Astronomy A105 (3 decks)

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