Universe & Electromagnetic Spectrum Flashcards
- What is the only part of the spectrum visible to the human eye?
Visible light
- Complete the data chart for each type of wave:
UV (ultra-violet)
x-rays
Gamma
Type of wave: UV (ultra-violet)
How it damages living cells: Can cause skin cancer
Useful benefits: Produce Vitamin D, tanning
Type of wave: x-rays
How it damages living cells: Too much exposure can cause cancer
Useful benefits: Medical imaging, security
Type of wave: Gamma
How it damages living cells: Can cause mutations to DNA
Useful benefits: Kills cancer cells
- What type of wave is used for thermal imaging & why? Infrared is used because it is felt as heat
Infrared is used because it is felt as heat
- What is the name of our galaxy & describe its shape? The Milky Way. It is a spiral or barred spiral galaxy.
The Milky Way. It is a spiral or barred spiral galaxy.
- Complete the data chart:
Type of measurement: Astronomical unit (AU)
Distance: ??
What it is most commonly used to measure in space: Distances in our solar system
Type of measurement: ??
Distance: 9.5 trillion km
What it is most commonly used to measure in space: ??
Type of measurement: Astronomical unit (AU)
Distance: 150 million km
What it is most commonly used to measure in space: Distances in our solar system
Type of measurement: Light-year
Distance: 9.5 trillion km
What it is most commonly used to measure in space: Distances to stars & galaxies
- What is the difference between a galaxy & a nebula?
A galaxy is a collection of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity. A nebula is smaller than a galaxy and is a large cloud of gas and dust.
- Put the following terms in order from smallest to largest: solar system, galaxy, universe, planet, nebula, Virgo Super-cluster, Local Group
planet, nebula, solar system, galaxy, Local Group, Virgo Super-cluster, universe
- What is the difference between the red-shift & blue-shift?
A red shift shows that a star or galaxy is moving away from Earth. A blue shift would show an object is moving toward Earth.
- What inference about our universe do scientists make using evidence from the red-shift?
They can infer that the universe is expanding.
- What type of rays does the Hubble telescope collect that allows us to learn about invisible aspects of our universe?
Ultraviolet, near-infrared
- List the spectrum from longest wavelength to shortest.
Radio, microwaves, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-ray, gamma ray
- Which types of radiation can be used to disinfect & sanitize bacteria that could potentially harm humans?
ultraviolet
- List the visible light spectrum in order from longest wavelength to shortest?
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet
- What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency?
If wavelength is shorter, frequency is higher. If wavelength is longer, frequency is lower.
- How does energy relate to frequency?
High frequency= high energy
- What is the benefit of launching telescopes in space instead of using them in observatories on Earth?
They are above the atmosphere so they can view more types of radiation that may be blocked or distorted if viewed from Earth.
- Complete the data chart below for each type of telescope:
Hubble
Spitzer
Chandra
Telescope: Hubble
Year Launched: 1990
Country that launched it: USA
Type of radiation it detects: wide range
Telescope: Spitzer
Year Launched: 2003
Country that launched it: USA
Type of radiation it detects: Infrared
Telescope: Chandra
Year Launched: 1999
Country that launched it: USA
Type of radiation it detects: x-ray
