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Earth And Space > Q2 > Flashcards

Q2 Flashcards

1
Q

What is the name of our galaxy and what type is it?

A

The name of our galaxy is the Milky Way, and it is a spiral galaxy.

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2
Q

What is the evidence for The Big Bang Theory?

A

Evidence includes cosmic microwave background radiation and the redshift of distant galaxies.

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3
Q

Put the following in order from smallest to largest: solar system, planet, universe, galaxy.

A

Planet, solar system, galaxy, universe.

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4
Q

What are Kepler’s Laws of planetary motion?

A

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.

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5
Q

What is the relationship between the foci and eccentricity of an ellipse?

A

The eccentricity measures how much an ellipse deviates from being circular; it is defined by the distance between the foci.

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6
Q

What is the difference between aphelion and perihelion?

A

Aphelion is the point in an orbit farthest from the sun, while perihelion is the point closest to the sun.

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7
Q

Why are there seasons?

A

Seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth’s axis and its orbit around the sun.

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8
Q

Describe the easiest way to label seasons, equinoxes, and solstices on a diagram.

A

Label the diagram with the sun at the center, marking the equinoxes at spring and fall, and the solstices at summer and winter.

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9
Q

Complete the following table for celestial objects.

A

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.

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10
Q

List the 6 stages of the sun’s life cycle.

A
  1. Stellar Nebula
  2. Main Sequence Star
  3. Red Giant
  4. Planetary Nebula
  5. White Dwarf
  6. Black Dwarf.
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11
Q

What are the stars that are bright but cool classified as on the H-R Diagram?

A

They are classified as red giants.

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12
Q

What is nuclear fusion and what does it have to do with stars?

A

Nuclear fusion is the process where hydrogen atoms combine to form helium, releasing energy; it powers stars.

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13
Q

List two reasons scientists analyze the light given off by stars.

A
  1. To determine the composition of stars.
  2. To measure their distance and motion.
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14
Q

List the colors of the spectrum from longest to shortest wavelength.

A

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.

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15
Q

Explain how looking at the light given off by distant galaxies provides evidence for the Big Bang Theory.

A

The redshift of light from distant galaxies indicates they are moving away, supporting the expansion of the universe.

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16
Q

Calculate the density of a block of wood if the volume is 3 mL and the mass is 9g.

A

Density = Mass / Volume = 9g / 3mL = 3g/mL.

17
Q

Label the layers of the Earth.

A

Crust, Mantle, Outer Core, Inner Core.

18
Q

What happens to temperature, density, and pressure in the layers of the Earth?

A

Temperature, density, and pressure generally increase with depth.

19
Q

What is the difference between the Asthenosphere and the Lithosphere?

A

The Lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, while the Asthenosphere is the semi-fluid layer beneath it.

20
Q

Which layer of the Earth are convection currents located?

A

Convection currents are located in the Mantle.

21
Q

What do convection currents do?

A

Convection currents transfer heat within the Earth, driving plate tectonics.

22
Q

Complete the following table for Plate Tectonics.

A

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.

23
Q

Label and identify the following plate boundary.

A

Newest crust: Mid-Ocean Ridge; Oldest crust: Continental crust; Magma: Found at divergent boundaries; Type of plate boundary: Divergent.

24
Q

Complete the following table for boundary types.

A

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.

25
Q

What is the difference between oceanic and continental crust?

A

Oceanic crust is thinner and denser, made primarily of basalt; continental crust is thicker and less dense, made primarily of granite.

26
Q

Where do most earthquakes and volcanoes occur?

A

Most earthquakes and volcanoes occur at plate boundaries.

27
Q

The Hawaiian Islands formed over weak spots in the Lithosphere called what?

A

Hotspots.

28
Q

Describe the rock cycle and how each form transforms into each other.

A

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.

29
Q

How have oxygen levels changed over time?

A

Oxygen levels have increased over geological time, currently around 21%; peak levels were around 35% during the Carboniferous period.

30
Q

What are banded iron formations and how were they formed?

A

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.

31
Q

What are stromatolites and why are they significant?

A

Stromatolites are layered structures created by the activity of microorganisms, significant for providing evidence of early life on Earth.

32
Q

What was the purpose of the Miller-Urey experiment?

A

The experiment simulated early Earth conditions to test the origin of organic compounds, demonstrating that amino acids could form from simple chemicals.

33
Q

What are the segments of geologic time in order from largest to smallest?

A

Eons, Eras, Periods, Epochs.

34
Q

What is our date in geologic time?

A

Current date is the Holocene epoch, Quaternary period.

35
Q

When did the trilobites go extinct?

A

Approximately 252 million years ago.

36
Q

When did Earth’s first coral reefs appear?

A

During the Cambrian period.

37
Q

What are the periods that the Mesozoic is divided into?

A

Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous.

Earth And Space (1 decks)

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