Space

Question 1

Describe the Big Bang theory

Answer 1

The idea that the Universe used to be in a small, dense, hot region and has expanded ever since

Question 2

Define red shift

Answer 2

The shifts of waves to longer wavelengths ( and smaller frequencies ) as the source of the waves and observer move apart

Question 3

Explain why light from distant galaxies is red shifted

Answer 3

The distance between Earth and distant galaxies is increasing

Question 4

State what small main sequence stars will eventually become

Answer 4

Red giants then
white dwarfs ( with a planetary nebula ) then black dwarfs

Question 5

Describe the relationship between the distance to a galaxy and the speed that it is moving away from earth

Answer 5

The greater the distance to a galaxy, the faster it’s moving away from Earth

Question 6

State what causes an object to orbit another object

Answer 6

The gravitational attraction between them

Question 7

Explain why main sequence starts are in a state of equilibrium

Answer 7

The force of gravity pulling the material inwards is balanced by an outwards force due to nuclear fusion

Question 8

Name the force that brings the dust and gas inside a nebula together to form a star

Answer 8

Gravity

Question 9

Name the process that can begin she the temperature within a protostar gets high enough

Answer 9

Nuclear fusion ( of hydrogen into helium )

Question 10

Name the force that brings the dust and gas inside a nebula together to form a star

Answer 10

Gravity

Question 11

Give the name for a cloud of dust and gas in space where stars can form

Answer 11

A nebula

Question 12

State what large main sequence starts will eventually become

Answer 12

Red supergiants,
Then a supernova leading to either a neutron star or a black hole

Question 13

State how elements beyond iron in the periodic table are formed

Answer 13

By supernovae

Question 14

Name the main objects in our solar system

Answer 14

Our star ( Sun )
8 planets
Dwarf planets
Asteroids
Comets

Question 15

For a stable orbit, describe the relationship between the orbital speed and the orbital radius

Answer 15

As the orbital radius increases, the orbital speed must decrease to remain in a stable orbit

Question 16

Explain why red shift is evidence for the Big Bang theory

Answer 16

If all galaxies are moving apart, then they must have been closer together before, so at some stage they must have originated from a single point