Physics - Space And Beyound Flashcards
What is the solar system made up of?
The Sun and anything that goes round it (orbit)
The solar system consists of 8 planets, dwarf planets, and other celestial objects.
How many planets are in the solar system?
8 planets
Includes dwarf planets like Pluto.
What defines a planet?
An object that orbits a star (the Sun)
Dwarf planets do not fit the standard definition of a planet.
What is a dwarf planet?
An object that orbits a star but is too small to be a planet or does not fit the planet pattern
Pluto is an example of a dwarf planet.
What are moons also known as?
Natural satellites
Moons orbit planets.
What are artificial satellites?
Satellites that humans have built
They mostly orbit the Earth.
What is a nebula?
A cloud of dust and gas from which stars are formed
Nebulae are the initial stage in star formation.
What is a protostar?
A stage in star formation where gravity pulls dust and gas together
This is the initial collapse of a nebula.
What occurs during the main sequence star stage?
Hydrogen fusion starts, emitting a lot of energy
This stable phase lasts for a few billion years.
What happens when hydrogen in a star begins to run out?
The star becomes a red giant or a red super giant
The transition depends on the size of the star.
What is the final stage of a red giant?
It becomes a white dwarf, then cools to become a black dwarf
The outer layers of dust and gas are expelled.
What happens to a red super giant at the end of its life cycle?
It explodes into a supernova
This explosion can lead to the formation of a black hole.
What force causes planets and satellites to circle an object?
Gravity
Gravity acts towards the center of the orbit.
True or False: The speed of an object in orbit changes.
False
The direction changes, but the speed remains constant.
What must happen for an orbit to remain stable if speed changes?
The radius must change
The closer an object is to another, the quicker it must travel.
