Unit 3 & 4: General Astronomy Flashcards

Q: Why was cosmology not a major part of astronomy until the 20th century?
A: Because there was insufficient observational evidence and theoretical tools.

Q: What key feature of Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity made it crucial for cosmology?
A: It provided a mathematical foundation for gravity on cosmic scales.

Q: In 1859, Gustav Robert Kirchhoff and Robert Bunsen discovered that the ------------ of a light source can be determined from ----------.
A: Chemical composition; the analysis of the spectral lines.

Q: What assumption underpinned Einstein’s static universe model?
A: The universe is unchanging and balanced.

Q: Who discovered Doppler effect on spectral lines?
A: Christian Doppler.

Q: Who introduced computer modeling of stars?
A: M. Schwarzschild and Fred Hoyle.

Q: Which discovery provided evidence for an expanding universe?
A: Hubble’s observation of galaxy redshifts.

Q: The theory of Quantum mechanics deals with phenomena within the regime of ------ objects (speed/size)?
A: Slow speed and small size.

Q: The theory of Classical mechanics deals with phenomena within the regime of ------ objects (speed/size)?
A: Slow speed and big size.

Q: The theory of Quantum electrodynamics deals with phenomena within the regime of ------ objects (speed/size)?
A: Fast and small.

Q: When was the first reflecting telescope made and by whom?
A: Isaac Newton made it in the 1600s.

Q: Which radiation type is not ionizing? X-ray, Ultraviolet, infrared ray, Gamma ray
A: Infrared ray.

Q: Which device is not classified as a detector? Photography, Spectroscopy, Charge Couple Device (CCD), Particle detectors, Microscope
A: Microscope.

Q: The rise of the Telescope epoch is associated with which scientist?
A: Galileo Galilei.

Q: What was not among Galileo’s discoveries? Laws of falling bodies, The first telescope, Sunspots, Moons of Jupiter, Mountains on the Moon.
A: The first telescope.

ICQ Questions

1. What device did Galileo improve for astronomy?
   
   

   • The telescope.
     
     

2. What does spectroscopy reveal about stars?
   
   

   • Their chemical composition and motion.
     
     

3. What theory explains the bending of space-time?
   
   

   • Einstein’s General Relativity.
     
     

4. Which mechanics applies to large, slow-moving objects?
   
   

   • Classical Mechanics.
     
     

5. What is the purpose of quantum mechanics?
   
   

   • To explain the behavior of small, fast-moving particles.
     
     

Summary for Long Answer (General Astronomy)

Astronomy as a field encompasses the study of celestial objects, including planets, stars, galaxies, and the universe's structure and origins. The telescope revolutionized observation, with Galileo pioneering its astronomical use. Spectroscopy advanced our understanding of celestial compositions, while Einstein's relativity provided the framework for modern cosmology. Theories like quantum mechanics and classical mechanics explain physical phenomena at different scales. Observational discoveries, such as the expansion of the universe and the detection of cosmic background radiation, have shaped current cosmological models. These foundational ideas link planetary science, stellar evolution, and cosmology into a comprehensive view of the universe.

Key General Astronomy Terms:

• Spectroscopy: The study of light spectra to determine the composition, temperature, and motion of celestial bodies.
  
  

• Relativity: Einstein’s theory explaining gravity as the warping of space and time by mass and energy.
  
  

• Quantum Mechanics: The branch of physics dealing with the behavior of subatomic particles (small size, slow speed).
  
  

• Classical Mechanics: Newton’s laws of motion describing the behavior of large, slow-moving objects.
  
  

Telescope Epoch: The period when telescopes revolutionized astronomy, allowing detailed study of celestial bodies.