space physics Flashcards
objects in the universe ( increasing size)
1) interstellar clouds of gas + dust
2) comets
3) meteors
4) moons
5) planets
6) stars
7) planetary systems
8) constelations
9) galaxies
10) clusters of galaxies
how old is the universe
13 billion years old
what is 1 light year in meters
9.47 x 10 ^15m
the earth spins on its axis once every
24 hours
earth tilt and seosons
the earth is tilted at a 23 degree angle, so the length of day and night may vary acording to the latitude. this changes through out the year.
why is H hotter in the summer
- there are more hours of sunlight and sun heat energy
- the sun has a greater elevation and its energy is spread over a smaller area, energy is more intense
- there is less atmosphere for the energy to pass through as the sun is higher in the sky
how long does it take for the earth to orbit the sun
365 days
time T=
3.156 x 10 ^ 7
avarage distance of sun to earth
1.5 x 10 ^11 m
orbital speed v=
2 pie r / T
the earth orbits in what shape
eclipse and when its closer to the usn it travels faster because it gains more potential energy which is transfered to kinetic energy. energy is conserved
how long does the moon take to orbit the sun
27 days
why does the moon have phases
depending on the angle between the sun, the moon and the earth, so different amounts of moon are seen.
what is a solar system
consists of a large mass star which planets orbit, asteroids and comets.
how does the sun produce its energy
it produces its energy ( light, thermal, infra red, and ultraviolet by nuclear fusion
what happens siince the suns mass is so great
planets and other bodies orbit it
what is the dominant force in a solar system
gravity- provides the centripetal force that makes the planets orbit the sun
eliptical orbits:
most planets orbit the sun in a eclipse. the sun is not at the centre
what is the effect of mass in gravitational force
the greater the mass the greater gravutational field strength
what is pluto
it is a dwarf planet, small and rocky
relation which orbital speed and distance
orbital speed decreases with increasing distance as the suns gravitaciona field strength decreases with increasing distance
why does the average surface temperature decrease as distance from the sun increases.
because they recieve less heat energy
what is the asteroid belt
rocks in different sizes, orbiting the sun between jupiter and mars
what are moons
natural satelites orbiting planets