Earth in the Solar System Vocabulary

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Big Bang Theory

Back

The theory that all matter and energy in the universe was compressed into an extremely dense volume that 13.7 billion years ago suddenly expanded in all directions

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Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB)

Back

Radiation detected from every direction in space almost uniformly; considered a remnant of the big bang

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Doppler Effect

Back

An observed change in the frequency of a wave when the source or observe is moving

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Eccentricity (e)

Back

The degree of elongation of an elliptical orbit

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Electromagnetic (EM) Spectrum

Back

All of the frequencies or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, which is the radiation associated with an electric and magnetic field

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Ellipse

Back

An oval shape defined by points from which the sum of the distances to two fixed points (foci) is a constant; a circle is an ellipse of zero eccentricity

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Focus

Back

The location within Earth along a fault at which the first motion of an earthquake occurs; also one of two central defining points of an ellipse

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Force

Back

An action exerted on a body that tends to change the body’s state of rest or motion; force has magnitude and direction

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Frequency

Back

The number of cycles or vibrations per unit of time; also the number of waves produced in a given amount of time

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Gravity

Back

A force of attraction between objects that is due to their masses and that decreases as the distance between the objects increases