Earth Science final 1 Flashcards
identify the difference between a hypothesis and a scientific theory.
A hypothesis is a testable explanation for a problem or phenomenon and a scientific theory is a well-tested, broad explanation of a natural phenomenon.
which of the colors on the visible spectrum has the longest wavelength?
red
what are the two most abundant gases in our atmosphere?
Nitrogen and oxygen
describe earths major spheres?
biosphere
atmosphere
hydrosphere
geosphere
what is the domaint force in the universe?
gravitational force
increased rainfall causing flooding of a river(which 2 apply)
a)atmosphere
b)geosphere
c)biosphere
d)hydrosphere
atmosphere and geosphere
What is the name of the process that explains the formation of the planest by colliding bodies?
Accretion
Briefly describe the origin of the moon
collision of earth and a mars sized object
What are the terrestrial planets?
Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars
Characteristics of the Terrestrial planets?
small, dense, and rocky, low gravity, thin atmosphere
What are the Jovian Planets?
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
Characteristics of the Jovian Planets?
High mass, low density, gaseous, high gravity, thick atmosphere
Pluto and 4 other planets are known as what group of planets?
Dwarf Planets
explain how stellar distance is measured?
light years
what factors control the brightness of a star?
size, temperature,distance
How does the color of the star relate to the temperature?
Hot stars are blue, average temp. stars are yellow, and cool stars are red
What are two properties of a star that are plotted on an H-R diagram?
Temperature and magnitude
What term is used to describe the collection of energy from stars that include gamma rays, x-rays, UV, visible light, IR, microwave, and radio waves?
Electromagnetic radiation
Which of the colors on the visible spectrum has the longest wavelength?
Red
Which of the colors on the visible spectrum has the shortest wavelength?
Purple
How does the Doppler shift help astronomers identify the mostions of objects in space?
The red shift shows if it’s moving away and the blue shift shows its moving toward.
What are the opposing forces that sustain the ¨life¨ of a star?
gravity and nuclear fusion
List the stages a typical star goes through in its life cycle.
nebula, ProStar, main sequence star, red giant, white dwarf
What element does the sun use for its primary source of fuel?
nuclear fusion
which phase of a star is the stable state?
main sequence star
What moves a star from the main sequence stage to the next stage in its cycle? What is the stage called?
fusion moves from the core outward to the star surface and becomes a red giant
What determines the final stage of a star? What is the final stage of the sun?
White dwarf and its mass determines the final stage
What is the dominant force in the universe?
gravity
Because other galaxies in the universe show a redshift, what does this indicate about the universe?
its expanding/moving away