astrophysics

Question 1

describe how the orbit of a comet compares with the orbit of a planet

Answer 1

1) comet’s orbit is more eliptical
2) orbital path of a comet is longer
3) the speed of a comet varies but speed of a planet doesn’t

Question 2

state the name given to a large collection of billions of stars

Answer 2

galaxy

Question 3

describe what happens to these high mass stars when they leave the main sequence stage of their evolution

Answer 3

1) star becomes a red giant
2) then a supernova
3) leaving a neutron star

Question 4

which coloured star has the highest surface temperature

Answer 4

white

Question 5

discuss the evolution of rigel and sirius (rigel is a high mass blue star) (sirius is a low mass blue-white star)

Answer 5

for both:
1) both stars begin in a nebula
2) both stars were protostars
3) both stars are main sequence stars

for rigel:
4) Rigel is a high mass star
5) will become a red supergiant
6) will become a supernova

for sirius:
7) sirius is a low mass star
8) sirius will become a red giant

Question 6

describe the evolution of the sun from the first stage of its evolution to the final stages of its evolution

Answer 6

1) nebula
2) protostar
3) main sequence
4) red giant
5) white dwarf

Question 7

state the type of object that has an eliptical orbit around a star

Answer 7

comet

Question 8

state the type of object that has an circular orbit around a star

Answer 8

planet

Question 9

betelgeuse is a red supergiant star
betelgeuse has a mass that is much larger than the sun
describe the evolution of betelgeuse through its entire life cycle

Answer 9

Betelgeuse started as a nebula, where gravity pulled gas and dust together to form a protostar. It then entered the main sequence and eventually expanded into a red supergiant. As it ran out of fuel, it exploded into a supernova. The remain could either form a neutron star or a black hole.

Question 10

state two ways in which the orbits of Earth and mars are similar

Answer 10

1) both planets orbit the same star (the sun)
2) They both have circular orbits

Question 11

state one way in which the orbits of Earth and mars are different

Answer 11

different speeds of orbits

Question 12

enceladus has a similar orbital period to that of Deimos, but its orbital speed is about 10 times larger.

Answer 12

1) different orbital radii
2) orbital radius of enceladus is bigger

Question 13

describe the evolution of both low mass stars and high mass stars after they join the main sequence

Answer 13

1) all main sequence stars fuse hydrogen into helium
2) lower masss stars stay on the main sequence line for longer
3) lower mass stars become red giants
4) higher mass stars become red supergiants
5) red giant becomes a white dwarf
6) supergiant becomes a supernova
7) supernova becomes a neutron star
8) supernova becomes a black hole