8.1 Solar System

Question 1

Which galaxy is our solar system a part of?

Answer 1

The milky way

Question 2

How many planets are in our solar system?

Answer 2

8 (plus the dwarf planets)

Question 3

What do planets in our solar system orbit around and what type of body is it?

Answer 3

• The sun
• It’s a star

Question 4

What type of force pulled together the cloud of dust and gas to form the sun?

Answer 4

Gravitational forces of attraction

Question 5

What word is used to describe a cloud of dust and gas?

Answer 5

A nebula

Question 6

What type of reactions happen at the start of a star’s life cycle as dust and gas are drawn together?

Answer 6

Fusion reaction

Question 7

What factor determines the type of life cycle a star undergoes?

Answer 7

It’s size

Question 8

Which two phases do all stars go through?

Answer 8

• Protostar
• Main sequence star

Question 9

What do stars of a similar magnitude to the sun become at the end of their lifecycle?

Answer 9

A black dwarf

Question 10

What two things can stars much bigger than the sun become at the end of their life cycle?

Answer 10

• Black Hole
• Neutron star

Question 11

What two phases do stars of a similar size to the sun go through between the main sequence phase and the black dwarf phase?

Answer 11

• Red giant
• White dwarf

Question 12

What two phases do stars of a greater size than the sun go through between the main sequence phase and the black hole/neutron star phase?

Answer 12

• Red super giant
• Supernova

Question 13

What is produced during the fusion processes in a star?

Answer 13

All of the naturally occurring elements

Question 14

What condition is required for fusion reactions to take place?

Answer 14

Very high temperatures

Question 15

How are elements heavier than iron formed?

Answer 15

In a supernova

Question 16

What type of nuclei fuse together to form heavier elements in a star?

Answer 16

Hydrogen

Question 17

How are elements distributed throughout the universe?

Answer 17

Through the explosion of a massive star (supernova)

Question 18

What allows planets and satellites to maintain circular orbits?

Answer 18

• Gravity provides the gravitational force that acts as the centripetal force
• The presence of the centripetal force allows the object to maintain a circular orbit

Question 19

What type of satellite can a moon be considered?

Answer 19

A natural satellite

Question 20

Give two examples of artificial satellites

Answer 20

• TV Satellites
• Satellites used for satellite imaging

Question 21

Explain why for a stable orbit, the radius must change if the speed changes

Answer 21

• At a higher speed, the object requires a higher centripetal force
• For a greater centripetal force the gravitational force must increase
• This is achieved by reducing the radius of the orbit

Question 22

Explain how the force of gravity acting on a satellite affects its speed and velocity

Answer 22

• The force can alter its velocity since its direction is continually changing
• It can’t change its speed since there is no force component in the direction of motion