The Universe - Space/Stars/Solar System Flashcards
What causes the seasons?
The tilt of the Earth
What are tidal forces?
When gravity pulls one part of an object away from its center of mass
What shape is the Earth?
A slightly oblong sphere (oblong spheroid)
Why do we only see one face of the Moon?
The Moon only spins once as it goes around us, which always shows us one side.
Which is the highest tide: a spring tide or a neap tide?
Spring tide - caused by the Sun and Moon pulling in the same direction.
What are the 8 phases of the Moon?
Waxing: New, Crescent, Quarter, Gibbous.
Waning: Full, Gibbous, Quarter, Crescent.
What process takes place in the Sun’s Core and turns hydrogen into helium?
Nuclear Fusion
What are the sections of the Sun?
The Core, the Radiative Zone, the Convection Zone, the Photosphere, and the Corona.
What do we call the incredibly fast rush of particles carrying light and heat energy away from the Sun and into the Solar System?
Solar Wind
How hot is the Sun’s core?
around 15,000,000 degrees Celsius
What is the Big Bang Theory?
All matter in the Universe exploded out from a infinitely dense point called the singularity.
What are the two Eras of the Big Bang Theory called?
The Radiation Era and the Matter Era
What were the first two elements that formed during the Matter Era?
Hydrogen and Helium
What type of celestial bodies created the rest of the elements?
Stars
What are the four terrestrial planets?
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
What are the four gas giants?
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
Which planets are over a billion miles away from the Sun?
Uranus and Neptune
Which planet has the hottest surface temperature?
Venus
Which planet has the most moons?
Saturn (82)
Which planets have no moons?
Mercury and Venus