test 1 Flashcards
when does an eclipse occur
when one object is in the shadow of another object
lunar eclipse
the moon is in earth’s shadow
solar eclipse
the moon is making a shadow on earth
what creates tides
the gravitational pull of the moon
spring tide
sun and moon pull the water in the same direction
creates higher high tides and lower low tides
occurs during new and full moons
neap tide
sun and moon pull the water in the opposite direction
creates lower high tides and higher low tides
occurs during 1st and 3rd quarter moons
most common theory about the moon formation is
GIANT IMPACT THEORY:
during the big bang the moon was created by the debris of a huge planet knocking into earth
order of moon phases
new - waxing crescent - 1st quarter - waxing gibbous - full - waning gibbous - 3rd quarter - waning crescent
altitude
degrees above horizon
how many degrees is the hand
10
magnitude
higher mag = dimmer
lower mag = brighter
which way do earth and moon rotate AND revolve
counterclockwise
What force holds objects in orbit?
gravitational pull
What is the cause of gravity?
mass
what is an AU
astronomical unit = relative distance between sun and earth
when to use AU
for WITHIN the solar system
what is a lightyear?
how fast light travels in a year
when to use lightyears
for OUTSIDE the solar system
Newton’s 1st Law
an object in motion will stay in motion unless acted upon by an outside force
newtons 2nd law
f=ma
Newton’s 3rd Law
every force has an equal and opposite reaction force
Kepler’s 1st Law
planets move in an elliptical matter with the sun as one focus
Kepler’s 2nd Law
equal area in equal time
Kepler’s 3rd Law
(period of orbit)^2 is proportional to the (distance from the sun)^3
what doesn’t cause the change in seasons
the distance from sun
Where are the sun’s rays hitting Earth during the equinoxes?
equinox => equator
Where do the sun’s rays strike during the summer solstice?
tropic of cancer (23.5 N)
Where do the sun’s rays strike during the winter solstice?
tropic of capricorn (23.5 N)
