Space Flashcards
what are the main objects in our solar system
sun, planets, dwarf planets, moons, asteroids, comets
which galaxy is our solar system in
Milky Way
what do all stars start of as
huge cloud of gas and dust called a nebula
which force is responsible for forming a protostar from a nebula
gravity
what kind of reaction causes the expansion of a star
nuclear fusion
how does a main sequence star remain stable
fusion reactions produce outwards forces which balance the gravitational forces pulling it inwards
what determines the life cycle of a star
mass
what is the life cycle of a star with about the same mass as the sun
protostar —> main sequence star —> red giant —> white dwarf —> black dwarf
what is the life cycle of a star with much more mass than the sun
protostar —> main sequence star —> red supergiant —> supernova —> neutron star or black hole is mass is big enough
how are naturally occurring elements formed
from nuclear fusion during the life cycle of stars
which elements are only produced in a supernova
elements heavier than iron
how are the elements distributed throughout the universe
massive stars exploding
how does the force of gravity make objects in orbit change their velocity but not their speed
gravity provides a centripetal force which keeps orbiting objects moving in a circle - the are constantly changing direction
to change the speed of an object in stable orbit, what factor must change
radius of the orbit
what is red shift
wavelengths of light get longer if the light source is moving away from the observer
