Q2 Flashcards
What is the name of our galaxy and what type is it?
The name of our galaxy is the Milky Way, and it is a spiral galaxy.
What is the evidence for The Big Bang Theory?
Evidence includes cosmic microwave background radiation and the redshift of distant galaxies.
Put the following in order from smallest to largest: solar system, planet, universe, galaxy.
Planet, solar system, galaxy, universe.
What are Kepler’s Laws of planetary motion?
1st Law: Planets orbit the sun in ellipses.
2nd Law: A line segment joining a planet and the sun sweeps out equal areas during equal intervals of time.
3rd Law: The square of the orbital period of a planet is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit.
What is the relationship between the foci and eccentricity of an ellipse?
The eccentricity measures how much an ellipse deviates from being circular; it is defined by the distance between the foci.
What is the difference between aphelion and perihelion?
Aphelion is the point in an orbit farthest from the sun, while perihelion is the point closest to the sun.
Why are there seasons?
Seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth’s axis and its orbit around the sun.
Describe the easiest way to label seasons, equinoxes, and solstices on a diagram.
Label the diagram with the sun at the center, marking the equinoxes at spring and fall, and the solstices at summer and winter.
Complete the following table for celestial objects.
Comet: A small icy body that, when passing close to the sun, heats up and begins to release gases.
Asteroid: A small rocky body orbiting the sun.
Meteoroid: A small particle from a comet or asteroid.
Star: A luminous celestial body made of plasma.
List the 6 stages of the sun’s life cycle.
- Stellar Nebula
- Main Sequence Star
- Red Giant
- Planetary Nebula
- White Dwarf
- Black Dwarf.
What are the stars that are bright but cool classified as on the H-R Diagram?
They are classified as red giants.
What is nuclear fusion and what does it have to do with stars?
Nuclear fusion is the process where hydrogen atoms combine to form helium, releasing energy; it powers stars.
List two reasons scientists analyze the light given off by stars.
- To determine the composition of stars.
- To measure their distance and motion.
List the colors of the spectrum from longest to shortest wavelength.
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.
Explain how looking at the light given off by distant galaxies provides evidence for the Big Bang Theory.
The redshift of light from distant galaxies indicates they are moving away, supporting the expansion of the universe.
Calculate the density of a block of wood if the volume is 3 mL and the mass is 9g.
Density = Mass / Volume = 9g / 3mL = 3g/mL.
Label the layers of the Earth.
Crust, Mantle, Outer Core, Inner Core.
What happens to temperature, density, and pressure in the layers of the Earth?
Temperature, density, and pressure generally increase with depth.
What is the difference between the Asthenosphere and the Lithosphere?
The Lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, while the Asthenosphere is the semi-fluid layer beneath it.
Which layer of the Earth are convection currents located?
Convection currents are located in the Mantle.
What do convection currents do?
Convection currents transfer heat within the Earth, driving plate tectonics.
Complete the following table for Plate Tectonics.
Continental Drift: Theory that continents move over time; Evidence: Fossil distribution, geological similarities; Scientist: Alfred Wegener.
Seafloor Spreading: Theory that new oceanic crust forms at mid-ocean ridges; Evidence: Magnetic patterns, age of rocks; Scientist: Harry Hess.
Label and identify the following plate boundary.
Newest crust: Mid-Ocean Ridge; Oldest crust: Continental crust; Magma: Found at divergent boundaries; Type of plate boundary: Divergent.
Complete the following table for boundary types.
Divergent: <- ->; Ocean/ocean: Mid ocean ridge.
Convergent: -><-; Continental/continental: Mountain range.
Convergent: -><-; Ocean/ocean: Volcanic island arc.
Convergent: -><-; Ocean/continental: Volcanic mountain range.
Transform: ⬆️⬇️; Any: Fault lines.
What is the difference between oceanic and continental crust?
Oceanic crust is thinner and denser, made primarily of basalt; continental crust is thicker and less dense, made primarily of granite.
Where do most earthquakes and volcanoes occur?
Most earthquakes and volcanoes occur at plate boundaries.
The Hawaiian Islands formed over weak spots in the Lithosphere called what?
Hotspots.
Describe the rock cycle and how each form transforms into each other.
Sedimentary rocks can become metamorphic rocks through heat and pressure; metamorphic rocks can melt into magma; magma can cool to form igneous rocks; igneous rocks can erode to form sediment.
How have oxygen levels changed over time?
Oxygen levels have increased over geological time, currently around 21%; peak levels were around 35% during the Carboniferous period.
What are banded iron formations and how were they formed?
Banded iron formations are sedimentary rocks consisting of alternating layers of iron-rich minerals and silica, formed by the oxidation of iron in ocean water.
What are stromatolites and why are they significant?
Stromatolites are layered structures created by the activity of microorganisms, significant for providing evidence of early life on Earth.
What was the purpose of the Miller-Urey experiment?
The experiment simulated early Earth conditions to test the origin of organic compounds, demonstrating that amino acids could form from simple chemicals.
What are the segments of geologic time in order from largest to smallest?
Eons, Eras, Periods, Epochs.
What is our date in geologic time?
Current date is the Holocene epoch, Quaternary period.
When did the trilobites go extinct?
Approximately 252 million years ago.
When did Earth’s first coral reefs appear?
During the Cambrian period.
What are the periods that the Mesozoic is divided into?
Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous.
