Section 8 Astrophysics

Question 1

Define universe

Answer 1

A large collection of billions of galaxies

Question 2

Define galaxy

Answer 2

A large collection of billions of stars

Question 3

Define solar system

Answer 3

The stars that form a planetary system

Question 4

Define planetary system

Answer 4

Planets and astronomical objects orbiting a star

Question 5

What do satellites and moons orbit?

Answer 5

Planets

Question 6

What is the period of an orbit?

Answer 6

The time it takes an object to complete 1 full rotation around another object

Question 7

What is Earth’s orbital period?

Answer 7

1 year (365 days)

Question 8

What is a geostationary object?

Answer 8

An object orbiting with the same period as the planet’s rotation

Question 9

Stellar evolution to main sequence

Answer 9

• Nebula
• Protostar
• Main sequence star

Question 10

What does a main sequence star evolve into?

Answer 10

• Red giant (if similar size to sun)
• Red supergiant (if much bigger)

Question 11

What determines if a star becomes a red giant or supergiant?

Answer 11

Its relative size compared to the sun

Question 12

Stellar evolution of a red supergiant

Answer 12

• Red supergiant
• Supernova
• Neutron star or black hole

Question 13

Stellar evolution of a red giant

Answer 13

• Red giant
• White dwarf

Question 14

Colour temperature order of stars (coldest to hottest)

Answer 14

Red, orange, yellow, white, blue