Astrophysics

Question 1

What is the structure of the universe?

Answer 1

Universe → Galaxies → Solar Systems → Stars, Planets, Moons, Asteroids, and Comets

Question 2

Define a galaxy.

Answer 2

A collection of billions of stars

Question 3

What is the Milky Way?

Answer 3

Our galaxy

Question 4

What is a light year?

Answer 4

Distance light travels in one year (9.46×10^12 km)

Question 5

What is a nebula?

Answer 5

A cloud of gas and dust that collapses due to gravity

Question 6

What leads to the formation of a protostar?

Answer 6

Increasing temperature and pressure leading to nuclear fusion

Question 7

What is the main sequence star?

Answer 7

Stable stage where outward pressure from fusion balances gravity

Question 8

What happens when hydrogen runs out in a star?

Answer 8

It becomes a Red Giant/Supergiant and heavier elements fuse

Question 9

What is the end stage for small-medium stars?

Answer 9

White Dwarf → Black Dwarf

Question 10

What is the end stage for large stars?

Answer 10

Supernova → Neutron Star or Black Hole

Question 11

Define a black hole.

Answer 11

A region of space with gravity so strong that not even light can escape

Question 12

How is a black hole formed?

Answer 12

From the collapse of massive stars after a supernova

Question 13

What is the event horizon?

Answer 13

The boundary beyond which nothing can escape from a black hole

Question 14

What does the Big Bang Theory propose?

Answer 14

The universe began as a singularity about 13.8 billion years ago and has been expanding

Question 15

What is cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB)?

Answer 15

Remnant heat from the Big Bang

Question 16

What does redshift indicate?

Answer 16

Galaxies moving away have light shifted to the red end of the spectrum

Question 17

What is Hubble’s Law?

Answer 17

v = H0d, where v = recession velocity, H0 = Hubble constant, d = distance from Earth

Question 18

What does apparent magnitude measure?

Answer 18

How bright a star appears from Earth

Question 19

What is absolute magnitude?

Answer 19

Brightness of a star if it were 10 parsecs away

Question 20

Define a parsec.

Answer 20

A unit of distance equal to 3.26 light-years

Question 21

What is Newton’s Law of Gravitation?

Answer 21

F = G(m1m2/r^2), where F = force, G = gravitational constant, m1,m2 = masses, r = distance

Question 22

What role does gravitational force play in orbits?

Answer 22

Provides the centripetal force for orbital motion

Question 23

What are natural satellites?

Answer 23

Moons (e.g., Earth’s Moon)

Question 24

What are artificial satellites used for?

Answer 24

Communication, GPS, and observation

Question 25

What is a geostationary orbit?

Answer 25

Satellites appear stationary relative to Earth, orbiting once per day

Question 26

True or False: The universe is expanding.

Answer 26

True

Question 27

List three advantages of satellites in social contexts.

Answer 27

* Revolutionize global communication * Inspire innovation and encourage STEM education * Improve quality of life through weather and navigation

Question 28

List three disadvantages of satellites in social contexts.

Answer 28

* Raise privacy concerns due to surveillance * Exacerbate digital and social inequality * May not be prioritized in developing nations

Question 29

List three political advantages of satellites.

Answer 29

* Enable global communication * Promote peaceful relations between nations * Enhance national security

Question 30

List three political disadvantages of satellites.

Answer 30

* Create geopolitical dependencies * Increase risks of conflict in space * Divert funds from pressing political issues

Question 31

List three health advantages of satellites.

Answer 31

* Improve healthcare access through telemedicine * Help track global health crises * Contribute to medical advancements

Question 32

List three health disadvantages of satellites.

Answer 32

* Pose risks from space radiation exposure * Cause psychological stress in professionals * Hazards from space debris collisions

Question 33

List three environmental advantages of satellites.

Answer 33

* Monitor deforestation and greenhouse gases * Aid in understanding ecosystems * Provide early warnings for natural disasters

Question 34

List three environmental disadvantages of satellites.

Answer 34

* Pollute Earth's orbit with space debris * Contribute to greenhouse gas emissions * Harm ecosystems through mining for materials