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Earth Science > Solar System > Flashcards

Solar System Flashcards

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1
Q

star at the center of the solar system

primary energy of the solar system

99.8% of the mass in the solar system

formed 4.5 billion years ago in the milky way

A

sun

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2
Q

our galaxy

A

orion spur

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3
Q

layers of the sun

A

core - solar envelope - chromosphere - photosphere - corona

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4
Q

where nuclear fusion (energy production) happens

heat is then transported outward by convection

A

core

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5
Q

located just outside the core

2 heat transferring zones: radiation zone and convectional zone

A

solar envelope

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6
Q

located outside the solar envelope

red in color due to an abundance of oxyen

A

chromosphere

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7
Q

where visible light is emitted

A

photosphere

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8
Q

diffuse region located around the chromosphere;

seen as halo during a full solar eclipse

A

corona

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9
Q

releases energy in the form of:

radiation
electricity
solar wind
life-giving heat

A

nuclear fusion

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10
Q

sun is composed of:

A

91% hydrogen, 8.9% heium and 0.1 heavier elements that of which is a plasma

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11
Q

solar activities

A

sun spots - solar winds - solar flares

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12
Q

dark spots observed on the sun’s surface

difference in color is manifested by a cooler temperature

A

sun spots

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13
Q

streams of plasma released from the sun’s atmosphere

particles behave under the influence of the sun’s magnetic field

particles escape from the sun’s gravity die to their immense energy

A

solar winds

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14
Q

when these particles ejected by the sun reach the earth, they affect earth’s magnetic field - the solar winds stream back towards the planet’s magnetic poles causing _______

A

aurora borealis

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15
Q

flashes of sudden brightness over the sun’s surface

these flares eject clouds of particles through the corona of the sun into outer space

A

solar flares

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16
Q

8 planets

A

mercury - venus - earth - mars - jupiter - saturn - uranus - neptune

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17
Q

small, dense, light consists of rocky and metallic substances (with very little gas and ice)

shorter revolutions

higher surface temp.

fewer moons

A

terrestrial planets

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18
Q

large temperature difference between day and night

no atmosphere, no water and surface is similar to that of earth’s moon

lack of geologic activities (such as active volcanoes) indicate that ______’s core is cooler than that of earth

A

mercury

19
Q

thick atmosphere

3rd brightest celestial body observable from earth

hottest planet

A

venus

20
Q

only planet that supports life

A

earth

21
Q

moon of earth

A

luna

22
Q

thin atmosphere

red planet because of its abundance in iron

A

mars

23
Q

biggest volcano in the solar system

A

mons olympus

24
Q

moons of mars

A

phobos and deimos

25
Q

much bigger but less dense, heavier and longer revolutions

lower surface temp.

more moons

contain large amounts of gases (hydrogen and helium) and ice (mostly water, ammonia and methane)

A

jovian planets

26
Q

atmosphere composed of mainly H and He

biggest planet

has confirmed 67 natural satellites (bigger than mercury (some))

A

jupiter

27
Q

giant storm that persisted in jupiter for centuries; seen in its surface

A

great red spot

28
Q

moons of jupiter

A 
europa
io
ganymede
callisto
amalthea
thebe
metis
and more
29
Q

known for its complex rings (though JUPITER, URANUS AND NEPTUNE ALSO HAVE RINGS)

rings made up of rocks, dust particles and colliding moons

has at least 30 natural satellites (one bigger than mercury)

A

saturn

30
Q

how many moons does jupiter have

A

67

31
Q

how many moons does saturn have

A

62

32
Q

moons of saturn

A

famous: titan

33
Q

twin gas giants

A

uranus and neptune

34
Q

sidewards planets

its axis of rotation is nearly parallel with the plane of orbit

has 15 natural satellites

A

uranus

35
Q

has a windy and dynamic atmosphere (similar to jupiter and saturn)

A

neptune

36
Q

massive rotating storm in neptune

A

great dark spot

37
Q

microplanets; smaller bodies consisting of rocks and metals

asteroid belt: between Mars and Jupiter

A

asteroids

38
Q

icy small body that heats up ad begins to outgas when passing near the sun

has a brighter outer sheath called coma and long tail

A

comets

39
Q

only comet that can be seen with the naked eye from the earth; seen every 75-76 years

A

halley’s comet

40
Q

planetary masses which are neither planets nor satellites

celestial bodies in direct orbit to the sun

A

minor/dwarf planet

41
Q

made up of ice rocks and has 5 known natural satellites

doesnt have its own orbit thus cannot be a planet

thought to be a satellite of neptune that pulled out of its orbit

A

pluto

42
Q

similar to the asteroid belt but situated beyond the planets

home to at least 3 dwarf planets: pluto, haumea and makemake

A

kuiper belt

43
Q

collection of icy debris

edge of the solar system

A

oort cloud

Earth Science (13 decks)

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