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GCSE Physics > Space > Flashcards

Space Flashcards

1
Q

What is Galactic Red-shift?

A

The observed increase in the wavelength of light due to the source moving away from the observer

This phenomenon helps in understanding the expansion of the universe.

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2
Q

What is the Doppler effect?

A

The change in frequency or wavelength due to the relative motion between a source and an observer

It applies to both sound and light waves.

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3
Q

What happens to the wavelength of light when an object moves towards an observer?

A

The wavelength of light decreases, known as blueshift

This shift is towards the blue end of the spectrum.

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4
Q

What happens to the wavelength of light when an object moves away from an observer?

A

The wavelength of light increases, known as redshift

This shift is towards the red end of the spectrum.

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5
Q

What is the relationship between the distance of galaxies and their redshift?

A

The greater the distance to the galaxy, the greater the redshift

This indicates that further galaxies are moving away faster.

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6
Q

What does the observation of redshift from distant galaxies support?

A

The Big Bang theory

It indicates that the universe is expanding.

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7
Q

What is the Big Bang Theory?

A

The universe began from a very small region that was extremely hot and dense and expanded due to a series of explosions

This event occurred around 14 billion years ago.

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8
Q

What evidence suggests that distant galaxies are receding faster?

A

Observations of light spectrums from supernovae show redshift

These observations were first made in 1998.

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9
Q

What happens to galaxies over time according to the Big Bang theory?

A

Galaxies become closer together until the entire universe was a single point

This implies that galaxies were once grouped together.

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10
Q

What is dark matter?

A

Unseen matter in the Universe that cannot be accounted for by current measurements

Its nature is currently unknown.

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11
Q

What is dark energy?

A

A proposed force that is causing the accelerated expansion of the universe

It counteracts gravity and pushes everything apart.

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12
Q

True or False: The universe is expected to become closer together due to gravity.

A

True

However, observations indicate the opposite is happening.

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13
Q

Fill in the blank: The change in frequency or wavelength due to the relative motion is known as _______.

A

Doppler effect

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14
Q

Fill in the blank: Light from a star moving away from an observer will be _______.

A

redshifted

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15
Q

Fill in the blank: The further away a galaxy is, the _______ it is moving away from us.

A

faster

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16
Q

What lies at the center of the Solar System?

A

The Sun

The Sun is a star which makes up over 99% of the mass of the solar system.

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17
Q

How many planets are in the Solar System?

A

8 planets

There is also an unknown number of dwarf planets that orbit the Sun.

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18
Q

What is the difference between the gravitational fields of planets and dwarf planets?

A

Planets have a strong gravitational field that pulls in nearby objects; dwarf planets do not

This is why dwarf planets have not cleared their orbital path of other objects.

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19
Q

List the four rocky planets in the Solar System.

A
  • Mercury
  • Venus
  • Earth
  • Mars
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20
Q

List the four gas planets in the Solar System.

A
  • Jupiter
  • Saturn
  • Uranus
  • Neptune
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21
Q

What are natural satellites?

A

Moons

Moons are examples of natural satellites that orbit planets.

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22
Q

What is an artificial satellite?

A

A man-made object that can orbit any object in space

The International Space Station (ISS) is an example.

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23
Q

What is an asteroid?

A

A small rocky object that orbits the Sun

The asteroid belt lies between Mars and Jupiter.

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24
Q

What are comets made of?

A

Dust and ice

They orbit the Sun in different orbits than those of planets.

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25
How long does it take for light from the Sun to reach Earth?
8 minutes
26
What is the speed of light?
3 × 10^8 m/s
27
How can you calculate the time taken for light to travel a certain distance?
time = distance / speed
28
What is a nebula?
A cloud of gas and dust in space ## Footnote The Sun was formed from a nebula.
29
What is nuclear fusion?
The process when two light nuclei collide at high speed and join to create a larger, heavier nucleus
30
What element was present in the universe at its formation?
Hydrogen
31
What is formed when two hydrogen nuclei collide?
A helium nucleus
32
What elements are formed during the majority of a star's lifetime?
Helium nuclei ## Footnote This occurs as hydrogen nuclei fuse together.
33
How are elements heavier than iron produced?
In supernova explosions ## Footnote These occur at the end of a massive star's life.
34
What is the first stage in the life cycle of a solar mass star?
Nebula
35
What happens during the protostar stage?
Particles are pulled closer together, increasing density and temperature
36
What characterizes a main-sequence star?
The star is in equilibrium ## Footnote Inward force due to gravity equals outward pressure from fusion reactions.
37
What happens when hydrogen in a star's core runs out?
The star becomes a red giant ## Footnote The core shrinks and heats up, causing the outer part to expand.
38
What is a planetary nebula?
The outer layer of dust and gas ejected by a star
39
What happens to the core of a star after it becomes a white dwarf?
It collapses completely and cools down
40
What is a black dwarf?
A star that has cooled down significantly and becomes invisible
41
What is the life cycle of a larger star compared to a solar mass star?
It has much shorter lifespans, burning through fuel quicker
42
What occurs in the red supergiant stage?
The outer part of the star expands as fusion reactions around the core occur
43
What is a supernova?
An explosion at the end of a red supergiant's life
44
What occurs around the core of a star during the fusion reactions?
Helium nuclei undergo fusion to form beryllium ## Footnote This process contributes to the star expanding into a super red giant.
45
What is a super red giant?
A star that is much larger than a red giant
46
What happens when the fusion reactions inside a red supergiant finish?
The core collapses suddenly, causing a supernova explosion
47
What forms at the center of a supernova explosion?
A dense body called a neutron star
48
What happens to the outer remnants of a star during a supernova?
They are ejected into space, forming a planetary nebula
49
What is a black hole?
An extremely dense point in space from which not even light can escape
50
What is a supernova?
A bright and powerful explosion at the end of a massive star's life
51
What is released during a supernova explosion?
A large amount of energy and heavy elements produced by fusion reactions
52
How do supernovae contribute to the formation of new planets and stars?
They eject heavy elements into the universe
53
What are the characteristics of orbital motion in our solar system?
A smaller body orbits a larger body due to gravitational attraction
54
What provides the force necessary for an object to maintain an orbit?
Gravity
55
What is the nature of the gravitational force exerted by a larger body?
Always attractive and acts towards the center of the larger body
56
What is the relationship between circular motion and acceleration?
Objects in circular orbit are constantly changing direction, thus accelerating
57
What is required to cause acceleration in an object in orbit?
A resultant force, which is gravity acting at right angles to instantaneous velocity
58
What are the similarities between the orbits of different planets around the Sun?
They are slightly elliptical, orbit in the same plane, and travel the same direction
59
What are the differences in the orbits of planets around the Sun?
Different distances from the Sun, different speeds, and different orbital periods
60
What affects the orbital period of a moon around a planet?
The distance from the planet; closer moons orbit faster
61
What happens if an artificial satellite's speed is too high?
The radius of the orbit will increase, causing the satellite to spiral into space
62
What happens if an artificial satellite's speed is too low?
The radius of the orbit will decrease, causing the satellite to move towards the object
63
To maintain a stable orbit, what must happen if the speed of a satellite increases?
The radius must decrease
64
What characterizes the orbits of comets?
Highly elliptical or hyperbolic paths
65
What happens to a comet as it approaches the Sun?
It loses gravitational potential energy and gains kinetic energy, speeding up
66
What is the effect of the slingshot effect on a comet's orbit?
The comet is flung back out into space after passing around the Sun

GCSE Physics (8 decks)

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