P2: Space Physics Flashcards
Describe the speed, direction and velocity of a satellite in a circular orbit.
Speed is the same, but the direction is constantly changing, meaning the velocity is constantly changing. Therefore, satellites are accelerating.
What is the name of the force needed for circular orbit?
Centripetal force.
What other force provides the centripetal force acting on a satellite?
Gravity
What is centripetal force?
The resultant force needed for circular orbit.
What is the name of an object that orbits larger objects?
A satellite.
What is a satellite?
An object that orbits a larger object.
What are artificial satellites?
Devices that orbit the Earth that were made by humans.
Describe two of the uses of artificial satellites
Communications and weather monitoring
What must a satellite do to maintain a stable orbit?
Move at a particular speed.
What happens if a satellite moves too slowly?
The gravity will be too strong, and pull it in to the star or planet.
What happens if a satellite moves too quickly?
The gravity will not be strong enough and the satellite will fly off into space.
Do satellites with smaller orbits move faster or slower than those with big orbits?
Faster, because more gravity is acting on the satellite, so there is a greater acceleration, so a greater change in velocity.
What does the Universe contain?
Many galaxies
What is a galaxy made up of?
Millions of solar systems.
What is our galaxy called?
The Milky Way
What does our solar system contain?
Planets, dwarf planets, moons, comets, asteroids, and a star.
What is the star in our solar system called?
The sun.
List the eight planets in our solar system (from closest to farther away from the sun)
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune
List the life cycle of a star the size of the Sun.
Nebula, Protostar, Main Sequence Star, Red Giant, White Dwarf, Black Dwarf.