The Universe Vocab Flashcards
(18 cards)
Cosmology
the study of the cosmos
Universe
what the big bang created that consists of all existing matter and space considered as a whole; the cosmos
Big Bang Theory
The believed scientific theory of how the universe was created
Emission Spectrum
a spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by a source.
Spectrometer
a tool used to record and measuring spectra, usually as a method of analysis.
Wavelength
the distance between the crests of waves (sound waves, light waves, etc.)
Frequency
how many times something passes a fixed point at one speed
Expansion
getting bigger
Contraction
getting smaller
Galaxy
A collection of millions to billions of stars, gas, and dust, being held together by gravity.
Interstellar Cloud
gas, plasma, and dust accumulated in galaxies
Red Shift
when the spectrum of light shows that it is shifted more towards the red then the blue usually has a longer wavelength
Blue Shift
when the spectrum of light shows that it is shifted more towards the blue then the red usually has a shorter wavelength
Doppler Effect
an increase or decrease in the frequency of sound, light, or other waves as the source and observer move toward or away from each other.
Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation
every particle attracts every other particle in the universe with a force which is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers
Plasma
an ionized gas consisting of positive ions and free electrons in proportions resulting in more or less no overall electric charge, typically at low pressures or at very high temperatures
Solar System
the collection of eight planets and their moons in orbit around the sun, together with smaller bodies in the form of asteroids, meteoroids, and comets.
Absorption Spectrum
a spectrum of electromagnetic radiation transmitted through a substance, showing dark lines or bands due to absorption of specific wavelengths.
