Astrophysics Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a universe

A

A large collection of billions of galaxies

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2
Q

What is a galaxy

A

A large collection of billions of stars

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3
Q

Where is our solar system

A

In the ‘Milky Way’ galaxy

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4
Q

How does gravitational field strength vary?

A

According to mass of object

i.e. larger mass means more gravitational attraction

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5
Q

What do moons orbit

A

Planets

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6
Q

What do planets orbit

A

Stars

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7
Q

What do satellites orbit

A

Planets or Earth

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8
Q

What do comets orbit

A

Stars

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9
Q

How do moons and planets orbit

A

Roughly circular orbit

At a roughly constant speed

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10
Q

Describe the orbit of comets

A

Highly elliptical

The comet travels fastest when its nearest the star (where gravitational attraction is strongest)

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11
Q

State the equation linking orbital speed, orbital radius and time period

A

Orbital speed = 2π x orbital radius

/ time period

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12
Q

Describe the stellar classification scale

A
O - blue
B - blue
A - blue
F - blue to white
G - white to yellow
K - orange to red
M - Red
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13
Q

What is star colour related to

A

The stars surface temperature

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14
Q

What is absolute magnitude

A

Represents the brightness of a star measured at a standard distance

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15
Q

What is a nebula

A

Clouds of dust and gas

Form through gravitational attraction

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16
Q

What is a main sequence star

A

Most stars are main sequence
Core temp. of over 10 mil. K when fusion takes place
This is what creates the stars energy over its lifetime
In fusion hydrogen atoms are fused together to make helium

17
Q

What is a red giant

A

At the end of a stars lie it swells to 500 times its original size

18
Q

What is a white dwarf

A

Once fusion has ceased in a star, just the core is left

Cools over time to become a black dwarf

19
Q

Describe the evolution of stars

A
Nebula
Protostar
Main sequence
Red Giant 
Then:
White dwarf, black dwarf
or:
Supernova
Neutron star
Blackhole