Unit 2 🟢
No description yet. This curated deck is ready for daily study.
Card preview (24)
What is the Geocentric Theory?
Earth at the center of the solar system with all planets and sun revolving around it. WRONG This theory does not explain Earth’s rotation.
What is the Heliocentric Theory?
The Sun (Helios) is the center of the solar system, and everything revolves around it. CORRECT This theory is considered correct.
Define Gravity.
Force of attraction between two objects. Affected by mass and distance between the objects.
What factors affect Gravity?
• Mass • Distance Greater mass increases gravitational force; closer distance increases gravitational force.
What is Kepler’s 1st Law of planetary motion?
The orbit of each planet is an ellipse with the Sun at one focus point. NOT AT CENTER The Sun is not at the center of the ellipse.
What is Kepler’s 2nd Law of planetary motion?
Orbital speed of the planets changes as they revolve around the Sun. (velocity greater when closer to Sun, slower when further) Speed is greater when closer to the Sun and slower when farther.
What is Kepler’s 3rd Law of planetary motion?
Greater distance from the Sun means longer time to go around. This law relates the distance of planets from the Sun to their orbital periods.
What are the key concepts related to planetary motion?
• Laws of Gravity • Laws of Planetary Motion • Mass • Distance These concepts are essential for understanding how planets move in the solar system.
What is Aphelion in Earth’s orbit?
Spot on Earth’s orbit when we are furthest away from the sun. OCCURS DURING SUMMER. The sun appears to be smaller in diameter. Earth moves slower. Occurs during the summer; the sun appears smaller in diameter, and Earth moves slower.
What is Perihelion in Earth’s orbit?
Spot on Earth’s orbit when we are closest to the sun. WINTER. Sun appears bigger in diameter. Earth moves faster. Occurs during winter; the sun appears bigger in diameter, and Earth moves faster.
Define Eccentricity.
Indicates roundness of an ellipse. (how close it is to being round) It measures how close an orbit is to being circular.
The formula for calculating eccentricity (e) is _______.
Distance Between Foci / Length of Major Axis For a circle, e = 0; for a straight line, e = 1.
True or false: An eccentricity of 0 indicates a more eccentric orbit.
FALSE An eccentricity of 0 indicates a rounder orbit, while 1 indicates a flatter, more eccentric orbit.
What does an eccentricity closer to 0 indicate?
Rounder orbit, less eccentric. (circle) Eccentricity values range from 0 to 1.
What does an eccentricity closer to 1 indicate?
Flatter orbit, more eccentric (straight) Eccentricity values range from 0 to 1.
What does the Solar System include?
• Planets • Moons • Meteorites • Asteroids • Comets • Dwarf planets • The Sun The Solar System is 4.6 billion years old and is only a tiny part of the Milky Way Galaxy.
How old is the Solar System?
4.6 billion years This age reflects the time since the formation of the Solar System.
The planets in the Solar System are divided into two groups based on their composition, size, and density. What are these groups?
• Rock/Terrestrial • Gas giants/Jovian This classification helps in understanding the characteristics of different planets.
Name the terrestrial planets in the Solar System.
• Mercury • Venus • Earth • Mars Terrestrial planets are primarily composed of rock and metal.
Name the gas giants in the Solar System.
• Jupiter • Saturn • Uranus • Neptune Gas giants are characterized by their thick atmospheres and lack of a solid surface.
Reasons for Earth’s Seasons?
Axis Tilt Axis always pointed towards polaris. Earth revolves around the Sun every 365.25 days. Sun’s rays hit Earth at parallel angles.
Earth’s Axis Tilt
23.5 degrees
Winter Solstice
1st day of winter. Northern Axis away from sun. Perihelion. Sun lowest angle in the sky.
During the winter how is the Sun’s path?
Shortest path. Shortest days.