RES Midterm Review - 1

Front

List the celestial objects in order from smallest mass to largest mass.

Back

Saturn, solar system, Milky Way, universe

Front

What is the altitude of Polaris for an observer at the Tropic of Cancer?

Back

23.5°

Front

What does the red shift of light from distant galaxies indicate?

Back

Galaxies are increasing in distance from Earth.

Front

Approximately when did the Big Bang occur?

Back

13.8 billion years ago.

Front

What happens to the heat energy content of water when it changes from liquid to solid?

Back

Release of 334 Joules of heat energy per gram.

Front

Define 'red shift' in the context of astronomy.

Back

Red shift refers to the phenomenon where light from distant galaxies shifts towards the red end of the spectrum, indicating they are moving away from us.

Front

What is the significance of the Big Bang theory?

Back

It explains the origin of the universe and the expansion of space.

Front

What is the difference between a solar system and a galaxy?

Back

A solar system consists of a star and its orbiting planets, while a galaxy is a massive system containing billions of stars, solar systems, and other celestial bodies.

Front

Explain the concept of altitude in astronomy.

Back

Altitude is the angle of an object above the horizon, measured in degrees.

Front

What is the relationship between mass and gravitational attraction?

Back

The greater the mass of an object, the stronger its gravitational pull.