Topic 7- Early Models Of The Solar System

Question 1

What were the 4 things ancient civilisations used observations of the solar and lunar cycles for?

Answer 1

1.) Agricultural systems
2.) Religious systems
3.) Time and calendar systems
4.) Alignment of ancient monuments

Question 2

What are geocentric models?

Answer 2

Models of the solar system where the planets orbited Earth

Question 3

What is the equant, deferent and epicycle?

Answer 3

Equant= point at the opposite side of the deferent centre to Earth
Epicycle= rotational circular path of the planet whilst cycling around Earth
Deferent= circular path around the Earth

Question 4

What was the heliocentric model?

Answer 4

COPERNICUS put forward a theory that placed the Sun in the centre of the solar system. This meant there were no epicycles and that the moon orbited the Earth while the planets orbited the sun

Question 5

What is 1AU?

Answer 5

1 Astronomical Unit- the distance between the Sun and the Earth

Question 6

What is a light year?

Answer 6

The distance light travels in 1 year