Science

Question 1

What is Kelpers first law

Answer 1

planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun as a foci,

Question 2

What is Kelpers second law

Answer 2

a planet covers the same triangle of space in the same amount of time no matter where it is in its orbit

Question 3

What is Kelpers third law

Answer 3

a planet’s orbital period is proportional to the size of its orbit (its semi-major axis)
The equation (we did this in a lab) is P3 = A3.
P is the period of revolution, A is the AU (Astronomical units)

Question 4

How do you make eccentricity

Answer 4

E=D/L

Question 5

What are asteroids and what are they composed of

Answer 5

Asteroids are rocky, comets are icy, and meteors are much smaller - also meteors are the shooting stars that you see up in the sky.

Question 6

Is there a friction created when steroids hit the Earths atmosphere and burn up before hitting the ground.

Answer 6

Yes There is friction created when meteors hit the Earth’s atmosphere and most burn up before hitting the ground

Question 7

What are the two factors that affect gravitational force between any two objects.

Answer 7

Mass and distance are the two factors that affect the gravitational force between any two objects.

Question 8

When does a planet move fastest

Answer 8

A planet moves faster when it’s at perihelion

Question 9

When does a planet move slowest

Answer 9

slower at aphelion

Question 10

What is the equation for speed

Answer 10

Speed = distance / time

Question 11

how to calculate the diameter of an object that is far away from you.

Answer 11

Distance between you and small circle /diameter of small circle = Distance between you and big circle/diameter of big circle.

Question 12

Does the apparent diameter change as you get closer to an object

Answer 12

Apparent diameter changes as you get closer and farther from an object.

Question 13

What is AU

Answer 13

A.U. (Astronomical Unit) is the distance between the earth and sun and is used to measure other astronomical units.

Question 14

How does Earth’s atmosphere protect against meteor strikes?

Answer 14

The intense heat generated by the meteor striking the atmosphere causes it to either completely burn up or get broken up into smaller pieces.

Question 15

Gravity – What 2 factors control the strength of gravity between two objects – like the Sun and Earth?

Answer 15

The two factors that control the strength of gravity between two objects are the mass of each object and the distance between the centers of the two objects.

Question 16

What do they mean - Perihelion and aphelion, perigee and apogee?

Answer 16

Perihelion: The point in the orbit of a planet, asteroid, or comet at which it is closest to the sun

Question 17

Varying orbital velocity of planets - Where and why does a planet’s orbital speed vary in its orbit around the Sun?

Answer 17

The planet’s speed increases at its perihelion because it is closest to the Sun, and when objects are closer to the Sun, their orbit speeds up. The opposite goes for when the planet is at its aphelion.

Question 18

Speed/velocity calculations.

Answer 18

Distance traveled divided by the time it takes.

Question 19

Apparent diameter.

Answer 19

Be sure you understand its meaning and how it varies depending on the viewer’s distance. (The apparent size or apparent diameter of a celestial body means how big the celestial body appears in the sky.) The closer an object is, the greater its apparent diameter.

Question 20

Astronomical Units the mean distance between the Earth and the Sun – know what it is and be able to convert kilometers into A.U.

Answer 20

1 AU = 149.6 Million KM
To convert KM to AU, divide the KM by 150,000,000
Ex: 300,000,000 KM → 300,000,000 150,000,000 = 2 AU

Question 21

Heliocentric vs. geocentric models of the solar system.

Answer 21

Heliocentric: The theory that the Sun is in the center of the solar system
Geocentric: The older theory (which is not true) that the Earth is in the center of the solar system

Question 22

Characteristics of the inner planets (a.k.a. the terrestrials, the rockies) vs. outer planets (a.k.a. the gas giants, the Jovians)

Answer 22

Inner Planets: Are denser, smaller, and are typically made out of rocks and metals. Some have small atmospheres, with the exception of Mercury, which has next to none, and Earth, which has a thick atmosphere.
Outer Planets: Are larger, less dense, and have gassy and/or icy surfaces. They are only less dense on average because they are made of gas. Their cores are probably just as or more dense than the inner planets because of extreme pressure from weight/mass of all the gas above.

Question 23

The eight planets in order (My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos) and Pluto.

Answer 23

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto.

Question 24

What is the shape of the orbit of the Moon around the Earth?

Answer 24

Elliptical, oval-like.

Question 25

How would the apparent size (a.k.a. apparent diameter) of the Moon change when it is at perigee or at apogee? (The apparent size or apparent diameter of a celestial body means how big the celestial body appears in the sky.) The closer an object is to the viewer, the bigger it appears.

Answer 25

At perigee, the apparent size of the Moon would look bigger compared to its apogee, where it would appear smallest.

Question 26

How many days does it take for the Moon to complete one revolution?

Answer 26

It takes the moon 27.3 days to complete one revolution.

Question 27

How many days does it take for the Moon to complete one rotation?

Answer 27

It takes the moon 27.3 days to complete one rotation.

Question 28

How many days does it take for the Moon to make one complete cycle of its phases – going from New Moon back to New Moon?

Answer 28

It takes the Moon 29.5 days to make one complete cycle of its phases.

Question 29

Why can we only see the same side (half) of the Moon while it orbits around us?

Answer 29

Because the Moon’s rotation and revolution are completely synced up. This makes it so we can only see one side and never the other.

Question 30

How much of the Moon is always lit up by the Sun?

Answer 30

50% or one half

Question 31

Why are we able to see the Moon at all?

Answer 31

Because the light that reflects onto it from the sun hits the Earth.

Question 32

Why does the Moon show phases to a person looking at it from Earth?

Answer 32

Why does the Moon show phases to a person looking at it from Earth?

Question 33

What is so unusual about the Moon’s period of rotation and period of revolution, and what is the effect of this fact when viewing the Moon from the Earth?

Answer 33

The moon is tidally locked with Earth (which means its period of revolution and rotation are the same), so we can only ever see one side of the Moon.

Question 34

What is an eclipse?

Answer 34

When an astronomical object is temporarily blocked or shielded by another astronomical object, this creates a shadow.

Question 35

Be able to explain the difference between a solar and lunar eclipse.

Answer 35

A solar eclipse is when the moon passes between the Earth and Sun, and the lunar eclipse is when the Earth passes between the moon and sun.

Question 36

What is the umbra? What would you see in the sky if you were standing in the Moon’s umbra during an eclipse?

Answer 36

The umbra is a dark shadow casted by the Moon during a solar eclipse, and the shadow created by the Earth during a lunar eclipse. It would seem as if it were night if you were standing in the Moon’s umbra during an eclipse.

Question 37

What is the penumbra? What would you see in the sky if you were standing in the Moon’s penumbra during an eclipse?

Answer 37

The penumbra is a lighter shadow casted by the Moon during a solar eclipse, and the shadow created by the Earth during a lunar eclipse. The sky would not become completely dark like if you were standing in the penumbra, but if you were to look at the sun (with proper eye protection, of course), you would see a “crescent sun” that is partially blocked by the moon.

Question 38

At what phase of the Moon can a solar eclipse happen?

Answer 38

Only at New Moon

Question 39

At what phase of the Moon can a lunar eclipse happen?

Answer 39

Only at Full Moon

Question 40

How is the orbit of the Moon around the Earth aligned (tilted) compared to the orbit of the Earth around the Sun?

Answer 40

The orbit of the Moon around the Earth is tilted compared to the orbit of the Earth around the Sun (by 5 degrees).

Question 41

Why don’t we have one solar eclipse (at New moon) and one lunar eclipse (at Full moon) every month?

Answer 41

Because the angle of the orbits don't match up exactly to create one solar eclipse (at New moon) and one lunar eclipse (at Full moon) every month.

Question 42

How does a planet’s orbital velocity (speed) change during its orbit?

Answer 42

A planet / moon moves faster when it is closer to what it is orbiting around. This is explained in more detail above.

Question 43

What are the changes in potential and kinetic energy of a planet during its orbit?

Answer 43

An orbiting planet moves fastest when it is closest to its primary (the Sun). An orbiting planet has its greatest kinetic energy at perihelion when it is closest to the Sun and moving its fastest. An orbiting planet has its lowest kinetic energy at aphelion when it is farthest from the Sun and moving its slowest. However, at aphelion, it has its greatest potential energy

Question 44

6. What are the two factors that determine the amount of gravitational pull between two objects – like the Sun and a planet?

Answer 44

Their masses and the distance between them

Question 45

What causes tides? Be able to explain what causes tides.

Answer 45

The moon and sun’s gravity causes tides

Question 46

When you are directly facing the Moon, is it high tide or low tide?

Answer 46

It is high tide.

Question 47

When you are on the exact opposite side of the Earth from the Moon, is it low tide or high tide?

Answer 47

It is high tide.

Question 48

When you are neither facing directly towards nor directly away from the Moon, is it low tide or high tide?

Answer 48

Low tide

Question 49

How many high tides and how many low tides are there for every 24-hour day?

Answer 49

Two high tides and two low tides occur every 24-hour day, usually

Question 50

How many hours is it between high tides?

Answer 50

It is 12 hours 25 minutes between high tides.

Question 51

How many hours is it between low tides?

Answer 51

It is 12 hours 25 minutes between low tides.

Question 52

How many hours is it from high tide to low tide?

Answer 52

It is 6 hours 12.5 minutes from high tide to low tide.

Question 53

What are spring tides? What is the alignment of the Sun, Moon and Earth that causes spring tides?

Answer 53

Spring tides occur when the moon is at full moon, or new moon, spring tides are the extreme tides. The Sun, Moon, and Earth are in a line.

Question 54

What are neap tides? What is the alignment of the Sun, Moon and Earth that causes neap tides?

Answer 54

Neap tides are caused by Quarter moons, they are ‘average’ tides that are on parallel, opposite sides of the earth, they occur when the Moon and Sun are at right angles.