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Physics + chemistry > Physics > Flashcards

Physics Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the life cycle of a star in order?

A

Nebula, protostar, main sequence, red giant/ supergiant, supernova and white dwalfs

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2
Q

What is the milky way

A

The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains our solar system. It’s a barred spiral galaxy, with a central bulge, a disk, and spiral arms filled with stars, dust, and gas. Our Sun is located in one of the spiral arms.

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3
Q

how far is a light year?

A

Light Year is the distance light travels in one year (about 9.46 trillion kilometers).

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3
Q

Scale of the universe

A

Light Year is the distance light travels in one year (about 9.46 trillion kilometers).

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3
Q

What are telescopes useful for?

A

Telescopes are used to observe distant objects in the universe. They can be optical (visible light), radio, or space-based (Hubble, James Webb).

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4
Q

What is the electromagnetic spectrum?

A

The Electromagnetic Spectrum includes different types of waves based on wavelength: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays. Each type of wave gives us different information about the universe.

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5
Q

What is the big bang theory?

A

The Big Bang Theory proposes that the universe began as a singularity and expanded over 13.8 billion years.

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6
Q

What is the evidence behind the big bang theory?

A

Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation: Residual heat from the Big Bang.
Redshift: Galaxies are moving away, indicating the universe is still expanding.
Abundance of Elements: Predicted amounts of hydrogen and helium match observations.

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7
Q

What is the doppler effect?

A

The Doppler Effect refers to the change in frequency or wavelength of waves as the source moves relative to an observer..

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8
Q

How does the doppler effect work?

A

Redshift: If a galaxy moves away, its light is stretched, shifting to the red end of the spectrum.
Blueshift: If a galaxy moves toward us, its light is compressed, shifting to the blue end.

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9
Q

What is the spectra of stars?

A

Spectra refer to the patterns of light that stars emit. By analyzing these spectra, astronomers can determine:
Temperature: Hotter stars emit light at shorter wavelengths.
Composition: Different elements absorb light at specific wavelengths, creating absorption lines.
Movement: The Doppler shift of spectral lines reveals whether a star is moving towards or away from us.

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9
Q

How to calcucate speed?

A

Speed = Distance ÷ Time (scalar quantity).

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10
Q

How to calculate acceleration (velocity)

A

Acceleration = (Final Velocity - Initial Velocity) ÷ Time

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11
Q

What is Newtons first law (force)

A

An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion, unless acted on by an external force. This is also known as the law of inertia.
Objects resist changes in their state of motion.

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12
Q

What is Newtons second Law (forces)

A

Force = Mass × Acceleration. This law explains how the force applied to an object affects its motion.
The greater the force or the smaller the mass, the greater the acceleration.

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13
Q

What is Newtons Third Law (Forces)

A

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
When one object exerts a force on another, the second object exerts an equal force in the opposite direction.

14
Q

What is a star?

A

Hot, gaseous spheres that are made mostly from hydrogen and helium

15
Q

What is a constellation?

A

Fixed groups of stars that are named according to the patterns that they seem to form in the sky.

16
Q

What is a nebula?

A

Clouds of dust and gas that are the ‘nurseries’ of stars.

17
Q

What is a galaxy?

A

System of millions or billions of stars, together with gas and dust, held together by gravitational attraction

17
Q

What is a exoplanet?

A

Planets that are observed in solar systems other than our own.

17
Q

What is a protostar?

A

Very young star that is still gathering mass from its parents nebulae.

18
Q

Explain why we can ‘look back in time’ when we look at distant objects in space.

A

We “look back in time” when viewing distant objects in space because their light takes millions or even billions of years to reach us, showing them as they were in the past.

19
Q

What is the difference between a reflector or refractor telescope.

A

A reflector telescope uses mirrors to gather and focus light, while a refractor telescope uses lenses for the same purpose.

20
Q

What are the disadvantages of optical telescopes

A
  • only works at night
  • light pollution
  • clouds + weather
  • some things don’t create light
21
Q

What is the order of the Electromagnetic spectrum?

A

Radio waves
Microwaves
Infrared (IR)
Visible light
Ultraviolet (UV)
X-rays
Gamma rays

21
Q

Explain the difference between between mass and weight

A

Mass is the amount of matter in an object, while weight is the force exerted by gravity on that object.

21
Q

Describe the advantages of placing a telescope in space compared to on Earth.

A
  • Above atmosphere
  • not every wave length of the electromagnetic spectrum makes it to earth.
22
Q

Discuss weather the big bang was really a ‘bang’

A

The Big Bang wasn’t a “bang” in the traditional sense, but rather an enormous expansion of space itself from a singular, extremely dense point.

23
Q

Explain the origin of the universe according to the Big Bang Theory.

A

According to the Big Bang Theory, the universe began as an infinitely small, hot, and dense point around 13.8 billion years ago. It expanded rapidly in cosmic inflation, leading to the universe’s current vast and cooler state.

24
Q

Describe

A

Redshift evidence for the Big Bang Theory comes from observing that light from distant galaxies shifts towards longer wavelengths, indicating that the universe is expanding and galaxies are moving away from us.

25
Q

Outline how a star is formed

A

Star formation begins in a nebula, where gravity causes gas and dust to collapse, forming a denser and warmer clump called a protostar.

26
Q

Why do brown dwarfs tend to live the longest despite being the smallest?

A

Brown dwarfs live the longest because they burn fuel slowly, lacking the mass for intense fusion.

27
Q

What is a supernova

A

A supernova is a powerful explosion that occurs when a star runs out of fuel and its core collapses, releasing a huge burst of energy.

Physics + chemistry (1 decks)

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