Earth & The Solar System

Flashcards about The Earth & The Solar System

What is the Earth's axis tilted at?

Approximately 23.5° from the vertical

What causes day and night?

The Earth's rotation on its axis

What direction does the Sun appear to rise and set each day?

The Sun appears to rise from the east and set in the west.

During equinoxes, where does the Sun appear to rise and set?

Exactly in the east and set exactly in the west

What two factors cause the seasons?

The Earth's orbit around the Sun and the Earth's tilted axis

What happens when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun?

It experiences summer and receives more solar radiation.

What is a common misconception about summer and winter?

That summer is warm because the Sun is closer to Earth and winter is cold because the Sun is further away.

How long does it take the Moon to orbit the Earth?

About one month (28 days)

Why does the Moon appear to go through phases?

Because as it orbits Earth, the amount of the illuminated surface we see changes.

In what position are the Earth, Moon and Sun during a new moon?

The Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun.

Name the eight planets in order from the Sun.

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

What is the difference between a planet and a dwarf planet related to gravity?

A planet's gravity pulls in nearby objects, but a dwarf planet's does not.

Give two examples of satellites.

Natural satellites (moons) and artificial satellites (e.g., ISS)

Where are asteroids and comets found?

Asteroids are found in the Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter, and comets are found in the outer reaches of the Solar System.

What happens to a comet as it approaches the Sun?

The ice melts and forms the comet's tail.

What is a mnemonic to remember the planets?

My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Noodles

What two gases compose the outer planets?

Hydrogen and helium

What is a nebula?

An interstellar cloud of gas and dust

How were the inner planets formed?

From materials with high melting temperatures such as metals

How long does it take light from the Sun to reach Earth?

8 minutes

How can the time taken for light to travel a distance be calculated?

Time = Distance / Speed of Light

What two factors does the gravitational field strength of a planet depend on?

The mass of the planet and the distance from the planet

What force keeps object orbiting the Sun?

The Sun's gravitational attraction

How does orbital speed change with distance from the Sun?

As the distance increases, the orbital speed decreases.

What is the equation for average orbital speed?

v = 2πr / T, where v = orbital speed, r = average radius, T = orbital period

What shape are the orbits of planets, minor planets, and comets?

Elliptical

How does a comet's speed change as it approaches the Sun?

It speeds up due to the Sun's strong gravitational pull.

What energy transfer occurs as a comet approaches the Sun?

Gravitational potential energy is transferred to kinetic energy.