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Science 2025 > Unit 2: Space > Flashcards

Unit 2: Space Flashcards

1
Q

What is a Astronomical unit?

A

One astronomical unit is defined as the average distance from the Earth to the Sun, approximately 150 000 000 km

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2
Q

What is a black hole?

A

A black hole is a place in space where gravity pulls so much that even light can not get out. The gravity is so strong because matter has been squeezed into a tiny space.

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3
Q

What is spectral shift?

A

Spectral shift refers to a change in the wavelength or frequency of light, often due to factors like the motion of the source or the environment it’s in. This change can be a shift towards longer wavelengths (red shift) or shorter wavelengths (blue shift).

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4
Q

What is rotation?

A

one complete spin of the erath on it’s axis (24 hours)

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5
Q

What is a solar eclipse?

A

When the moon blocks the sun’s light to veiwers on earth. The moon casts a shadow on the sun.

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6
Q

What is a spectroscope?

A

instruments that allow scientists to determine the chemical makeup of a visible source of light

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7
Q

What is a constellation?

A

a constellation is a group of stars that forms a recognizeable form when viewed from earth.

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8
Q

What is a asterism?

A

Smaller recognizable star patterns that are within a larger constellation. Ex. big dipper in ursa major

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9
Q

What is the universe?

A

refers to everything that phyisically exists; the entirety of space, time, energy, and matter. Everything is the Universe

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10
Q

What is the Oort cloud?

A

The Oort cloud is a theoretical spherical shell of icy bodies, like comets, that is thought to lie at the edge of our solar system

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11
Q

What are celestial objects?

A

Celestial objects are naturally occurring physical entities or structures within the observable universe

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12
Q

What is a nebula?

A

A nebula is a vast cloud of gas and dust in space, often described as a stellar nursery where new stars are born

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13
Q

What is a lunar eclipse and what does it look like?

A

occurs when the earth blocks out the sun’s light, making the moon briefly disapear. The earth’s shadow is directly inbetween the moon and sun

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14
Q

What is a comet?

A

Comets are small celestial bodies composed of rock, dust, ice, and organic compounds that orbit the sun in highly elliptical orbits.

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15
Q

What is a meteor?

A

A meteor is a streak of light observed in the sky when a meteoroid (a piece of space rock or metal) enters the Earth’s atmosphere and burns up due to friction. (shooting star)

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16
Q

What is dark matter?

A

refers to matter in the universe that is invisible because it dosn’t react with light or any other kind of radiation. this means we can see it only because it affects the movements of galaxies

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17
Q

What is a revolution?

A

one complete orbit of the sun (1 year)

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18
Q

What is a Equinox?

A

when the day and night are the exact same length (vernal; spring, atumnal; fall)

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19
Q

What is the photosphere?

A

the visible surface layer of the Sun, a thin, opaque layer from which light and energy are emitted

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20
Q

What is a meteoroid?

A

A meteoroid is a small, rocky or metallic space object, smaller than an asteroid but larger than a dust grain

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21
Q

What is a light year?

A

a measure of distance equal to the distance light can travl in 1 year. (9000 billion km)

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22
Q

What is a planet? What are the inner planets? What are the outer planets?

A

A planet is a celestial body that orbits a star (like the Sun), is large enough to have its own gravity pull it into a spherical shape, and has cleared its orbital path of other objects of similar size. Terrestial planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars. Gas giants: Jupiter, Saturn. Ice giants: Uranus, Neptune.

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23
Q

What is the difference between the sun’s radiative zone and the sun’s convection zone?

A

Radiative zone: a layer within a star’s interior where energy is primarily transported outward by radiative diffusion and thermal conduction
Convective Zone: A region where energy is transported by convection, with hot plasma rising and cooler plasma sinking.

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24
Q

What is a solar prominence?

A

a large, bright feature that erupts from the Sun’s surface, often in a loop shape, and extends into the Sun’s outer atmosphere

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25
What are asteroids and what is the asteroid belt?
small, rocky or metallic bodies that orbit the sun, and the asteroid belt is a region in the solar system where many of these objects are found, primarily located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter (astroid belt)
26
What is nuclear fusion?
the process where hydrogen nuclei (protons) combine under immense pressure and temperature to form helium, releasing energy in the process
27
What is a supernova?
a cataclysmic explosion of a star, marking the end of its life cycle. These explosions release immense amounts of energy, often outshining entire galaxies
28
What is a solstice?
A solstice is one of two times of the year when the Sun's apparent path in the sky is farthest north or south of Earth's Equator. This results in the longest or shortest day of the year, depending on which hemisphere is being considered.
29
What is a solar flare?
a sudden, intense burst of energy and radiation from the Sun, often associated with sunspots. It's a temporary event that releases magnetic energy, causing the Sun to emit bursts of electromagnetic radiation across various wavelengths
30
What is a meteorite?
a space rock, fragment of metal, or other extraterrestrial debris that has survived its journey through Earth's atmosphere and landed on the surface
31
What is solar wind and what does it cause?
a continuous flow of charged particles, primarily protons and electrons, emanating from the Sun's corona and causes the northern lights
32
What is a minor planet?
A minor planet is a general term for small bodies in the Solar System that independently orbit the Sun but are not classified as planets or comets. These include asteroids, dwarf planets, and various objects beyond Neptune.
33
What are sunspots?
dark, cooler regions on the Sun's surface that appear as dark spots due to their lower temperature compared to the surrounding photosphere
34
What is the chromosphere and where is it located?
Chromosphere: A layer above the photosphere, visible during total solar eclipses as a red rim.
35
What is the 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. The effect causes the sudden change in pitch noticeable in a passing siren, as well as the redshift seen by astronomers.
36
What is 130 000 000 in scientific notation?
1.3 x 10^8
37
What is the big bang theory?
the big bang describes the beginning of the universe. the universe and everything in it began in a instantaneous event. It happened 13.7 billion years ago (time zero). At that time all matter in the universe was packed into one small dense mass. This mass was very hot and under enormous pressure.
38
What 2 pieces of evidence do we have to suport the big bang?
1: redshift of galaxies-moving away from us, light is more red 2: whispers of radiation, universe has unexpected radiation coming from all directions
39
What are the 3 types of galaxies and what do they look like?
Spiral- spiral shaped eliptical-football shaped irregular-random shape
40
How did the sun and our solar system form?
The Sun and our solar system formed roughly 4.6 billion years ago from a massive, swirling cloud of gas and dust called a solar nebula. This nebula collapsed under its own gravity, likely triggered by a shockwave from a nearby supernova. The collapse led to the formation of a spinning disk, with most of the material concentrating at the center to form the Sun. The remaining material in the disk then coalesced, creating planets, moons, asteroids, and comets
41
What number is Mercury and what are 3 characteristics of it?
Number 1, proximity to the sun, its highly eccentric orbit, and its extremely hot and cold surface temperatures
41
What number is Venus and what are 3 characteristics of it?
Number 2, has a thick, toxic atmosphere dominated by carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid clouds, making it extremely hot and inhabitable. It also rotates in the opposite direction of most other planets in our solar system, leading to a very slow rotation period and a unique sunrise and sunset. Finally, Venus is similar in size to Earth, leading to the nickname "Earth's sister planet"
42
What number is Earth and what are 3 characteristics of it?
Number 3, only planet with life, has oxygen rich atmosphere, in goldilocks zone
43
What number is Mars and what are 3 characteristics of it?
Number 4, reddish appearance, its thin atmosphere, and its geological features like volcanoes and canyons
44
What number is Juipiter and what are 3 characteristics of it?
number 5, massive size, a strong magnetic field, and a thick, dynamic atmosphere
45
What number is Saturn and what are 3 characteristics of it?
number 6, prominent ring system, a large size relative to other planets, and a distinct ring system
46
What number is Uranus and what are 3 characteristics of it?
number 7, extreme tilt, faint rings, and icy composition
47
What number is Neptune and what are 3 characteristics of it?
number 8, deep blue color, strong winds, and unique magnetic field
48
How did Earth's moon form?
The Moon formed from a giant impact between the early Earth and a Mars-sized planet named Theia. This collision, which occurred about 4.5 billion years ago, sent a massive amount of debris into space, and this debris eventually coalesced to form the Moon.
49
What are the phases of the moon and what causes them?
The phases of the Moon are caused by the changing illumination of the Moon's surface as it orbits Earth, reflecting the Sun's light. The different phases are due to the varying amounts of the sunlit side of the Moon that are visible from Earth. These phases include New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent
50
What is the difference between the heliocentric and geocentric models of the Universe?
Geocentric models place the Earth at the center, with all celestial bodies, including the sun and planets, orbiting it. Heliocentric models, on the other hand, place the sun at the center, with the Earth and other planets orbiting it
51
Why does Earth have seasons?
Primarily due to its 23.5-degree tilt on its axis, which causes different parts of the planet to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year. As the Earth orbits the sun, this tilt means that the Northern and Southern Hemispheres are alternately angled toward the sun, leading to changes in daylight hours and temperature.
52
Why does Earth have day and night?
because it rotates on its axis, taking approximately 24 hours to complete one full rotation. As the Earth spins, different parts of the planet face the Sun, resulting in daylight, while the other half faces away, experiencing nighttime.
53
What are the similarties and differences between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse?
Both solar and lunar eclipses occur due to the alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon, but in different ways. A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking the Sun's light and casting a shadow on Earth. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon.
54
What causes the tides and how many occur each day?
Tides are primarily caused by the Moon's gravitational pull and the Earth's rotation. In most coastal areas, you'll experience two high tides and two low tides each lunar day, which is about 24 hours and 50 minutes long
55
What constellation is Polaris a part of?
Ursa minor (little dipper)
55
What causes the Aurora Borealis?
The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, is caused by the interaction between the Earth's magnetic field and charged particles from the sun. (solar wind)
55
What constelation is the big dipper a part of?
Ursa Major
56
What is Cassiopea shaped like?
Cassiopea is shaped like a W
57
Calculate the distance between the sun and Neptune using the 1AU=150 000 000 formula
1m/x=150 000 000/30.06 cross multiply 1mx30.06=150 000 000/X 30.06=150 000 000/X 30.06x150 000 000=150 000 000/Xx150 000 000 4509000000=X
58
Name and describe one Canadian contribution to space technology
Canadarm2 is a robotic arm on the International Space Station (ISS) that helps with various tasks like construction, maintenance, and catching cargo ships. It's a larger and more versatile version of the original Canadarm used on the Space Shuttle. Canadarm2 was launched in April 2001 and has been instrumental in building and maintaining the ISS.
59
What are the pros and cons of space exploration?
Space exploration offers numerous benefits, including expanding human knowledge, driving technological innovation, and potentially securing the future of the human species. However, it also presents significant challenges, such as high costs, risks to human life, and the potential for creating space debris.
60
Why is it possible to have life on Earth but not any other planets?
Earth's unique combination of factors, including its location in the Goldilocks zone, liquid water, a suitable atmosphere, and protective magnetic field, makes it habitable for life. Other planets may not possess all these conditions, making life less likely.
61
What are some space spinoffs; how they are used in space and on Earth
NASA was the first to develop memory foam, back in the 1970s. The visco-elastic foam was developed to be used as cushioning for astronauts in space crafts, to offer extra support against the high pressure of the G-force as they rocketed into outer space. On Earth it's commonly used in mattresses, pillows, and other bedding to enhance comfort and pressure relief.
62
What are the parts of the sun?
Core: The innermost layer, where nuclear fusion occurs, producing the Sun's energy. Radiative Zone: A region where energy from the core is transported outwards by radiation. Convective Zone: A region where energy is transported by convection, with hot plasma rising and cooler plasma sinking. Photosphere: The visible surface of the Sun, where light is emitted. Chromosphere: A layer above the photosphere, visible during total solar eclipses as a red rim. Corona: The outermost layer of the Sun's atmosphere, extending millions of kilometers into space, also visible during total solar eclipses as a halo.

Science 2025 (2 decks)

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