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DAS CCEA GCSE Physics 2 > P2.5 Space Physics > Flashcards

P2.5 Space Physics Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a planet?

A

Large heavenly bodies that orbit a star

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2
Q

What does the term elliptical mean?

A

The oval shape of the path taken by many heavenly bodies as they orbit the sun

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3
Q

What is an asteroid?

A

Lumps of rock that can be up to 1000km in diameter

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4
Q

In our solar system, where are most asteroids found?

A

In a belt between Mars and Jupiter

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5
Q

What are comets?

A

Heavenly bodies made from mostly ice and dust that orbit a star - often in very elongated elliptical paths

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6
Q

What does a solar system consist of?

A

A star and everything that orbits it

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7
Q

What is an artificial satellite?

A

A satellite which is launched by man

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8
Q

List the 5 main uses for satellites.

A

Astronomy
Communication
Weather Monitoring
Monitoring agriculture
Monitoring military activity

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9
Q

How is a star formed?
(Up to Main sequence)

A

Formed from a stellar nebulae (Clouds of H2 and Dust). The force of gravity causes hydrogen particles to join together which causes the clouds to become more dense as particles get more close together which leads to a gravitational collapse.

The temperature rises and the core at the centre is now called a protostar. When the temp reaches approx 15 million C, nuclear fusion begins and the star is made.

The star enters its main phase of its life (Main sequence star) as the size of the star remains stable due to outward radiation pressure being balanced by the inward gravitational force.

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10
Q

Explain the death of a star like our sun
(Red Giant to black dwarf)

A

When all hydrogen is used up in fusion, energy output reduces to the point where gravity compresses the star, but the star will not shrink.

A layer of H2 surrounds the core and gravitational contraction provides enough energy for nuclear fusion in that layer.

The outward pressure from nuclear fusion causes the star to expand to several hundred times its original size, the surf temp falls and it is now a red Giant (Due to the starlight now being predominantly orange)

Other Nuclear reactions occur in the red giant. To the end of the red giants life the gravitational force can’t hold the outer layer of gas which will eventually flow out and cool, forming a nebula.

The nebula may contribute to the formation of another star. The core what remains cools and forms a white dwarf.

All fusion stops, the star cools and becomes a black dwarf.

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11
Q

List an example of a reaction that occurs in a red giant

A

Helium fuses to become Carbon and Oxygen

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12
Q

What is a stellar nebula?

A

a cloud of gas and dust from which
stars are formed

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13
Q

What is a gravitational collapse?

A

a process in the evolution of a star in which hydrogen particles get closer and
closer together because of gravity

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14
Q

What is a protostar?

A

hot ball of gas in which nuclear
fusion has not yet begun
— when fusion begins the
protostar becomes a star

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14
Q

What is the main sequence of a star?

A

most stable stage in the mid-life
of a star

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15
Q

What is a red giant?

A

a star that has used up almost all of its
hydrogen and the outward
pressure from nuclear
fusion makes it expand to
several hundred times its
normal size

16
Q

What is a white dwarf?

A

one of the last stages in the life cycle
of a star like our Sun

17
Q

What is a black dwarf?

A

final state of a star, like our Sun,
when all fusion stops and it
becomes very cold

18
Q

Explain the death of a high mass star.
(red super giant to a Neutron star or black hole)

A

Helium fusion occurs rapidly. The energy from this fusion pushes the outer layers of the star outwards, forming a super red giant.

These red super giants burn through their nuclear fuel quickly. In its core, it will successively fuse elements of the periodic table up to the creation of iron. At that point, the red super giant will begin to collapse. The collapse releases gravitational potential energy that heats up and throws off the outer layers of the star in the form of a Supernova. (Large explosion.)

The core of the star is all that is left which is very dense and called a neutron star.

In extremely large stars, a black hole is made which have large gravitational fields that nothing can escape from - even light.

19
Q

Neutron stars are the smallest and densest stars known to exist, what is their radius?

A

10km

20
Q

A nebula will eventually become a main sequence star. List the pathway of a star with mass like our sun

A

Red Giant
Planetary Nebula
White Dwarf
White dwarf cooling
Black Dwarf

21
Q

A nebula will eventually become a main sequence star. List the pathway of a star with a high mass.

A

red super giant
Super nova
Black Hole OR Neutron Star

22
Q

What is a red super giant?

A

a stage in the life cycle of a very
massive star following the
main sequence stage

23
Q

What is a super nova?

A

a stage near the end of the life cycle of a
very massive star when it suddenly increases greatly in brightness because of a
catastrophic explosion that
ejects most of its mass

24
Q

What is a neutron star?

A

the collapsed core of a large
star

25
Q

What is a black hole?

A

the collapsed core of a very large star. It is so called because the gravitational force is so
great that not even light can escape from it

26
Q

What did the universe begin as and how long ago was this?

A

The Big Bang and it was 14 billion years ago

27
Q

What is a planetary nebula?

A

A cloud of dust and gas from which planets are formed

28
Q

What is a galaxy?

A

A large number of star systems held together by gravity

29
Q

What is the Milky Way?

A

A galaxy consisting of around 100-400 billion star systems, one of which is our own solar system

30
Q

Describe the formation and evolution of the universe

A

There was a period of rapid expansion and cooling not long after the big bang.

This allowed quarks to come together to form protons and neutrons

Further expansion and cooling allowed the temperature to fall rapidly

This allowed electrons to combine with protons and neutrons to form atoms of hydrogen

31
Q

What does the Big Bang Theory state?

A

The universe started roughly 14 billion years ago from a point known as the singularity

32
Q

What is the red shift?

A

The increase in wavelength of light from distant galaxies due to their increasing separation from us

33
Q

What do the letters CMBR mean?

A

Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation

34
Q

What are the 2 bits of evidence that prove the big bang happebed?

A

CMBR and the Red shift

35
Q

What is CMBR thought to be?

A

The signature or afterglow of the big bang

DAS CCEA GCSE Physics 2 (6 decks)

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