Chapter 29 Flashcards
a round, three-dimensional object, the surface of which is the same distance from the center in all directions is a called a what?
sphere
an elongated, closed curve with two foci is called a what?
ellipse
is earth a perfect sphere?
no, the diameter is further longways than pole to pole
what are some ancient observations that prove earth is a sphere?
objects always fall straight to the surface, the earth’s shadow of a lunar eclipse is curved, and if earth were flat, everyone would be able to see the same stars
what are two factors that gravitaitonal strength?
mass and distance
what does the magnetic field protect earth from?
harmful radiation from the sun
which hemisphere is the megnetic field located in?
its in the northern hemisphere
at which degrees does earth’s axis tilt?
11.7 degrees
can magnetic poles change?
yes
what is a large scale movement where the magentic poles switch?
magnetic reversals
how often do magnetic reversals occur?
every 200,000 years
which part of earths magnetic field deflects harmful radiation from the sun?
the magnetosphere
what are the two scientific names for the northern and the southern lights?
aurora borealis (northern lights) aurora australis (southern lights)
how are the auroras created?
electrically charged particles collide with atoms in the atmosphere and emit light
when is earth closest to the sun?
early january-147 million km away
when is earth farthest away from the sun?
early july-152 million km away
an area 15 degrees wide in which time is the same is a what?
time zone
the spinning of earth on its axis is called what?
rotation
what is the motion of earth in an elliptical orbit around the sun called?
revolution
the plane of earth’s orbit around the sun is called what?
an eliptic
what occurs when earth’s rotational axis is tilted directly toward the sun or away from the sun?
a solstice
what happens when earth’s rotational axis is perpendicular to a line drawn from the center of earth to the center of the sun?
an eqiunox
who devised a method of timekeeping around 3000 b.c?
the babylonians
what was the sybmbol for degree taken from?
the babylonians symbol for the sun
how many degrees does the earth spin in one day?
360 degrees
how many hours does it take the earth to make one full rotation?
23 hours 56 minutes and 4 seconds
how many degrees does the earth spin in one hour?
15 degrees
what direction does the sun rise?
in the east
what direction does the sun set?
in the west
true or false, all time zones are the exact same size?
false, they are modified to fit ariund cities, states, country borders, and other key sites
how many times zones are there in the world?
24
which direction do you move to add hours to the time?
east