S2 Exam Flashcards
(52 cards)
Earth
a planet that orbits the Sun because of the force of gravity between the two.
Solar System
the system of objects which are controlled by the sun
Day lengths on other planets
Venus - 243 Earth days
Jupiter - 10 hrs
How many moon cycles are there in one Earth year
12 or 13
Why do some planets have longer years
Planets orbit farther from the Sun than Earth because they have a bigger circumference to go around
A year on Venus
225 Earth days
A year on Jupiter
12 Earth years
What axis tilt does Earth rotate with?
23.5 degrees
What happens in June?
northern hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, gets more heat energy from the Sun, lighter for longer time.
What happens in December?
the northern hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, lighter for a shorter time
Why do we get 4 seasons
Because of the way the Earth rotates
Why do we get well defined shadows on a sunny day?
Because there is direct light
what would happen to the length of the shadow in the afternoon hours
The length of the shadow decreases in the afternoon as the sun rises higher in the sky.
What does the torch experiment prove about the path light travels?
That light travels in straight lines
How could light be seen through all the index cards
The holes are lined up, and the light travels in a straight line.
What would happen if the holes were smaller
If the holes were smaller, less light would pass through, making it harder to see through the index cards.
What do we use to measure the universe?
light years (l.y.)
Why have we not sent a probe/person to Proxima Centauri yet?
The long distances and harsh conditions of space between stars create tough challenges.
What is the position of the sun in the sky during summer?
the sun rises in the east and sets in the west (high in the sky)
What is the position of the sun in the sky during winter?
the sun rises in the east and sets in the west (low in the sky)
What is a Refractor Telescope?
A bigger lense lets you get more light, making the image clearer
Advantage of an earth-based telescope
cheaper, easier to build, easier to fix
Disadvantage of an earth-based telescope
atmosphere interferes with the light
Advantage of an in orbit telescope
avoid many problems with the atmosphere, see all wavelengths of life, see things clearer
