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Physics Paper 2 > Space Physics > Flashcards

Space Physics Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the speed, direction and velocity of a satellite in a circular orbit.

A

Speed is the same, but the direction is constantly changing, meaning the velocity is constantly changing. Therefore, satellites are accelerating.

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2
Q

What is the name of the force needed for circular orbit?

A

Centripetal force.

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3
Q

What other force provides the centripetal force acting on a satellite?

A

Gravity

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4
Q

What is centripetal force?

A

The resultant force needed for circular orbit.

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5
Q

What is the name of an object that orbits larger objects?

A

A satellite.

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6
Q

What is a satellite?

A

An object that orbits a larger object.

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7
Q

What are artificial satellites?

A

Devices that orbit the Earth that were made by humans.

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8
Q

Describe two of the uses of artificial satellites

A

Communications and weather monitoring

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9
Q

What must a satellite do to maintain a stable orbit?

A

Move at a particular speed.

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10
Q

What happens if a satellite moves too slowly?

A

The gravity will be too strong, and pull it in to the star or planet.

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11
Q

What happens if a satellite moves too quickly?

A

The gravity will not be strong enough and the satellite will fly off into space.

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12
Q

Do satellites with smaller orbits move faster or slower than those with big orbits?

A

Faster, because more gravity is acting on the satellite, so there is a greater acceleration, so a greater change in velocity.

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13
Q

What does the Universe contain?

A

Many galaxies.

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14
Q

What is a galaxy made up of?

A

Millions of solar systems

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15
Q

What is our galaxy called?

A

The Milky Way

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16
Q

What does our solar system contain?

A

Planets, dwarf planets, moons, comets, asteroids and a star

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17
Q

What is the star in our solar system called?

A

The Sun

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18
Q

List the eight planets in our solar system (from closest to farther away from the sun)

A

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune

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19
Q

List the life cycle of a star the size of the Sun.

A

Nebula, Protostar, Main Sequence Star, Red Giant, White Dwarf, Black Dwarf.

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20
Q

List the life cycle of a star bigger than the Sun.

A

Nebula, Protostar, Main Sequence Star, Red Super Giant, Supernova, Black Hole or Neutron Star.

21
Q

What does it mean when we can’t see a particular colour

A

It has been absorbed by a particular element in the Sun. They absorb different wavelengths of light.

22
Q

Does light from a star include all wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum?

A

No.

23
Q

What happens to the lines in the lightspectrum from distant galaxies

A

They are closer to the red end of the spectrum, because they have shifted to a longer wavelength. This is known as the red shift

24
Q

What does red-shift mean?

A

The galaxy or star being observed is moving away from the Earth

25
Q

What does red-shift show?

A

That the universe is expanding.

26
Q

The further away the galaxy the [bigger/smaller] the increase in wavelength.

A

Bigger.

27
Q

What does the red-shift tell us about differently spaced galaxies?

A

More distant galaxies are moving away from us faster than closer galaxies.

28
Q

What does the Big Bang Theory state?

A

The universe began from a very small region that was extremely hot and dense. This tiny point exploded, and caused the Universe to expand. This expansion is still happening today.
Observations of red-shift support the Big Bang Theory

29
Q

What two theories does red-shift support?

A

Steady State Theory and the Big Bang Theory.

30
Q

What type of energy do scientists believe allows the Universe to continue to expand?

A

Dark energy.

31
Q

What is the name of the missing mass in galaxies?

A

Dark matter,

32
Q

How do scientists know dark matter exists?

A

Its gravity affects other objects. Currently it cannot be detected.

33
Q

What rate is the universe expanding?

A

Faster and faster.

34
Q

How quickly are galaxies rotating?

A

Faster than expected. This suggests that galaxies contain more mass than their known contents can account for.

35
Q

Explain the effect of a planet’s gravitational force on the motion of a satellite

A

-Gravitational force acts on the satellite, causing it to move closer to the Earth
-The satellite moves at a constant speed, but it changes its direction constantly
-So it has a changing velocity
-Acceleration is change in velocity over time, so the satellite is also accelerating

36
Q

How does a nebula form a protostar?

A

Gravity pulls the dust and gas together, as the mass falls together it gets hot, and the protostar is formed when it is hot enough for the hydrogen nuclei to fuse together to make helium.

37
Q

How is the core of a protostar always hot?

A

The fusion process that occurs within releases energy.

38
Q

Is a main sequence star stable or unstable?

A

Stable, because all of the forces acting on it are at equilibrium . (Gravity and fusion).

39
Q

Describe the two forces acting on a main sequence star.

A

Gravity is the force pushing the star inwards on itself, and Fusion is the force pushing the star outwards. These two are equal and balance eachother out, achieving a state of equilibrium.

40
Q

What is a nebula mostly composed of?

A

Hydrogen. Nebulas are massive clouds of dust and gas.

41
Q

What happens to form a Red Giant from a Main Sequence Star?

A

All the hydrogen has been used up in the fusion process, and large nuclei begin to form, making the star expand.

42
Q

What makes a Red Giant Star turn into a White Dwarf?

A

All the nuclear reactions stop, and the star begins to contract under the pull of gravity. The star begins to fade and change colour as it cools.

43
Q

What happens to make a Red Supergiant Star turn into a Supernova?

A

The red supergiant continues making nuclear reactions, getting hotter and hotter and expanding until it explodes as a supernova. This supernova throws hot gas into space.

44
Q

What does a supernova do?

A

It explodes, throwing hot gas into space.

45
Q

What will a supernova leave behind depending on its mass at the start of its life?

A

Either a neutron star or a black hole.

46
Q

What is the Big Bang Theory?

A

The theory that about 14 billion years ago, the whole Universe expanded outwards to what exists today. This Universe is still expanding, but matter is NOT also being created.

47
Q

What is the Steady State Theory?

A

The theory that the Universe has always existed, is expanding and creates matter continuously.

48
Q

Where is the only place that elements heavier than Iron can be produced?

A

A supernova.

49
Q

If the speed of a satellite increases, what decreases?

A

The radius of orbit.

Physics Paper 2 (4 decks)

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