Solar system

Question 1

Which galaxy is our solar system part of?

Answer 1

The milky way galaxy.

Question 2

How many planets make up our solar system?

Answer 2

Eight (plus the dwarf planets).

Question 3

What do the planets in our solar system orbit and what type of body is it?

Answer 3

• The planets orbit around the sun.

- The sun is a star.

Question 4

What type of force pulled together the cloud of dust and gas to form the sun?

Answer 4

Gravitational force of attraction.

Question 5

What word is used to describe a cloud of dust and gas?

Answer 5

A nebula.

Question 6

What types of reactions take place at the star’s life cycle as dust and gas is drawn together?

Answer 6

Fusion reactions.

Question 7

What factor determines the type of lifecycle a star undergoes?

Answer 7

The size of the star.

Question 8

Which 2 phases do all stars of the same or greater size than the sun undergo?

Answer 8

• Protostar phase.

- Main sequence phase.

Question 9

What do stars of a similar magnitude to the sun become at end of their life-cycle?

Answer 9

A black dwarf.

Question 10

What 2 things can stars much bigger than the sun become at the end of their lifecycle?

Answer 10

• Neutron star.

- Black hole.

Question 11

What 2 phases do stars of similar go through between being a main sequence star and a black dwarf?

Answer 11

1) Red giant.

2) White dwarf.

Question 12

What 2 phases do stars of greater size than the sun go through between being a main sequence star and a neutron star/black hole?

Answer 12

1) Red supergiant.

2) Supernova.

Question 13

What are produced during the fusion processes in a star?

Answer 13

All of the naturally occurring elements.

Question 14

What condition is required for fusion reactions to occur in a star?

Answer 14

Very high temperatures.

Question 15

How are elements heavier than iron produced?

Answer 15

In a supernova.

Question 16

What type of nuclei fuse together to form heavier elements in a star?

Answer 16

Hydrogen nuclei fuse to form heavier elements.

Question 17

How are elements distributes through out the universe?

Answer 17

Through the explosion of a massive star (supernova).

Question 18

What allows planets and satellites to maintain circular orbits?

Answer 18

• Gravity provides the gravitational force that acts as the object’s centripetal force.
• The presence of a centripetal force allows for the object to maintain its circular orbit.

Question 19

What type of satellite can a planet’s moon be described as?

Answer 19

A natural satellite.

Question 20

Give 2 examples of artificial satellites

Answer 20

• TV satellites.

- Satellites used for satellite imaging.

Question 21

Explain why for a stable orbit, the radius of orbit must change if the speed changes

Answer 21

• At higher speeds, the object require a greater centripetal force.
• For a greater centripetal force, the gravitational force must increase.
• This is achieved by the radius of the orbit being reduced.

Question 22

Explain how the force of gravity acting on a satellite affect its speed and velocity

Answer 22

• The force can alter its velocity since the direction is continually changing.
• It can’t cause a change of speed since their is no force component in the direction of motion.