solar system

Question 1

which galaxy is our solar system part of?

Answer 1

the milky way

Question 2

how many planets make up our solar system?

Answer 2

8

Question 3

what do the planets in our solar system orbit around 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 type of reactions take place at the start of a stars 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 two phases do all stars of the same or greater size than the sun undergo?

Answer 8

1) protostar phase

2) main sequence phase

Question 9

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

Answer 9

a black dwarf

Question 10

what two 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 size to the sun go through between being a main sequence star and a black dwarf?

Answer 11

• red giant

- 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

• red super giant

- 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 distributed throughout 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 objects 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 planets 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 requires 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 affects its speed and velocity

Answer 22

• the force can alter its velocity since the direction is continually changing
• it cant cause a changer of speed since there is no force component in the direction of motion