JPT - HMD PhySci-ReviewNotes-Study Guide-Feb2019-1

I. ASTRONOMY

  • Astronomical Distance Measurements

    • Light Year: Distance light travels in one year (~6 trillion miles).

    • Parsec: Equivalent to 3.26 light years; standard for interstellar distances.

    • Apparent Magnitude: Observed brightness from Earth, influenced by star's distance.

    • Absolute Magnitude: Brightness at a standard distance of 10 parsecs; independent of distance.

  • Star Classification and the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram (Ch. 24)

    • Shows relationship between absolute magnitude and color temperature.

    • Major classes:

      • Main Sequence stars

      • Giants

      • Supergiants

      • White Dwarfs

  • The Big Bang Theory

    • States universe originated from a dense, hot state (~13.7 billion years ago).

    • After the explosion, the universe has been expanding, evolving, and cooling.

    • Proposes the initial spread of matter and energy marked the universe's beginning.

    • Hubble’s Law: Observes galaxies move further faster with distance.

    • Potential fates of the universe:

      1. Expand indefinitely.

      2. Slow down, stop and collapse.

      3. Stabilize at a constant speed.

  • Cosmic Microwave Background: Evidence of the universe's early state.

II. GEOMETRY

  • Extraterrestrial Light Observation (Ch. 23)

    • Electromagnetic Spectrum: Gamma rays to radio waves.

    • Types of spectra:

      • Continuous Spectrum: Produced by incandescent solids.

      • Emission Spectrum: Produced by hot gases; features vary by gas.

      • Absorption Spectrum: Produced by light through a cool gas, leaving gaps.

    • Doppler Effect: Change in light wavelengths based on movement:

      • Redshift: Movement away from observer.

      • Blueshift: Movement towards observer (e.g., Andromeda Galaxy).

  • The Sun's Structure and Lifecycle (Ch. 23)

    • Nuclear Fusion: Occurs in the core (H -> He).

    • Source of natural elements from H and He (atomic number 3-92).

    • Variations in lifecycles between low and high mass stars.

III. SOLAR SYSTEM

  • Planet Classification:

    • Terrestrial Planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars

    • Jovian (Gas Giants): Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

    • Dwarf Planets: Ceres, Pluto, Eris, Quaoar, Sedna, Vesta, Triton

  • Definitions:

    • Meteor: Streak of light from meteoroid burning in atmosphere.

    • Meteoroid: Small particles traveling in space.

    • Meteorite: Remains of meteoroids reaching Earth.

    • Asteroids: Rocky bodies primarily found in the asteroid belt.

    • Comets: Icy celestial bodies with glowing heads and tails.

IV. EARTH'S MOTION AND ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATIONS (Ch. 21)

  • Kepler’s Laws: Rules governing planetary motion.

    • 1st: Orbits are elliptical, sun at one focus.

    • 2nd: Equal areas in equal times; varying speed in orbits.

    • 3rd: Orbital period relates to distance from the sun.

  • Celestial Coordinates:

    • Declination: Celestial equivalent of latitude.

    • Right Ascension (RA): Celestial equivalent of longitude.

V. GEOLOGY

  • Minerals vs. Rocks (Ch. 2 & 3)

    • Mineral Definition: Naturally occurring, solid, defined crystalline structure, inorganic, with chemical composition.

    • Rock Definition: Aggregate of minerals.

    • Common Rock-Forming Minerals: Silicates, carbonates, oxides.

  • Physical Properties of Minerals:

    • Habit, Luster, Color, Streak, Hardness, Cleavage, Fracture, Density.

  • Rock Formation Types (Ch. 3):

    • Igneous Rocks: Formed from cooling magma/lava.

    • Sedimentary Rocks: Formed from sediment compaction.

    • Metamorphic Rocks: Formed by heat/pressure from existing rocks.

  • Plate Tectonics (Ch. 4):

    • Lithosphere: Rigid outer layer, composed of crust and upper mantle.

    • Asthenosphere: Soft layer beneath lithosphere.

    • Boundary Types:

      • Divergent: Plates move apart (sea-floor spreading).

      • Convergent: Plates collide (subduction zones).

      • Transform: Plates slide past each other.

VI. EARTHQUAKES AND VOLCANOES

  • Earthquake Wave Types (Ch. 5):

    • P-waves: Compressional waves, fastest.

    • S-waves: Side-to-side motion.

    • Surface waves: Travel along the Earth's surface.

  • Seismic Measurement:

    • Seismograph: Records seismic waves.

    • Richter Scale: Measures earthquake magnitude based on wave height.

  • Volcano Types:

    • Shield Volcanoes: Broad and domed with low viscosity lava.

    • Cinder Cone: Formed from ejected lava fragments.

    • Composite Cone: Layered structure from alternating eruptions.

VII. METEOROLOGY

  • Layers of Earth's Atmosphere (Ch. 16):

    • Troposphere: Weather occurs, lowest layer.

    • Stratosphere: Contains ozone, blocks UV radiation.

    • Mesosphere: Middle layer with decreasing temperature.

    • Thermosphere: Upper layer, ionized by solar radiation.

  • Seasonal Changes (Ch. 16 AND 21):

    • Changes in sunlight angle and duration due to Earth's axial tilt and orbit.

  • Weather & Climate (Ch. 17):

    • Concepts like phase change, relative humidity, and pressure systems.

  • Cloud Types: Cirrus, cumulus, stratus, cumulonimbus (thunderstorm potential).

  • Meteorological Instruments: Barometers (mercury, aneroid), anemometers (wind speed), hygrometers (humidity).

VIII. APPENDICES

  • Appendices Reference:

    • Study the classification and characteristics of minerals, rocks, and volcanic features in appendices 4A-4D.

    • Review geological time scale in appendix 9b.

    • Refer to the atmospheric structure in Appendix 10.