Astronomy 12 - Final Exam Outline

Astronomy 12 - Final Exam Outline

Charting the Sky

-Estimate distance and size/describe tools and methods used to observe and measure the universe (i.e. relative distance & size, using small angle formula & parallax)

· Define astronomical unit, light year and parsec and compare the use of these units in expressing cosmic distances.

· Explain the geometric reasoning that allows astronomers to measure the distances and sizes of celestial bodies (i.e. triangulation).

· Define stellar parallax.

· Use d = 1/p to find the distance to celestial objects in parsecs.

· Use the small-angle formula to find the distance to a celestial object.

· Use the speed of light as a constant to determine the distance to a celestial object.

-Identify and compare various components of the universe

· Define astronomy.

· Analyze astronomy and astrology in terms of valid scientific theory and method.

· Define planet.

· Define star.

· Define galaxy.

· Define universe.

· Order major celestial objects by size and distance.

-Examine various cultural interpretations of the constellations

· Define constellation.

· Define asterism.

· Contrast the terms constellation and asterism.

· Define ecliptic.

· Define the Zodiac.

· Identify the twelve constellations that make up the Zodiac.

· Define celestial sphere.

· Describe the concept of the celestial sphere.

· Define declination.

· Define right ascension.

· Relate declination and right ascension on the celestial sphere to latitude and longitude on the Earth.

· Describe how angular measurement is used to locate objects in the sky.

· Explain the apparent motions of the Sun and the stars in terms of the actual motion of the Earth.

· Describe how constellations were used to ancient cultures.

-Analyze why scientific and technological activities take place in a variety of individual and group settings (eclipses)

-Identify and compare interactions between sun, earth, and moon

-Distinguish between questions that can be answered by technology and those that cannot (apparent retrograde motion)

· Define summer solstice.

· Define winter solstice.

· Define autumnal equinox.

· Define vernal equinox.

· Explain why our planet experiences seasonal changes.

· Define procession.

· Define retrograde motion.

· Describe the changing appearance of the Moon.

· Label the phases of the Moon on a diagram.

· Define sidereal month.

· Define synodic month.

· Explain the difference between the sidereal month and the synodic month.

· Define lunar and solar eclipses.

· Define umbra and penumbra.

· Describe how the relative motions of the Earth, the Sun and the Moon lead to eclipses.

· Illustrate the proper orientations of the Sun, Moon and Earth that produce spring and neap tides.

Birth of Modern Astronomy

-Explain the geocentric and heliocentric theories of the universe

· Define prograde motion.

· Define retrograde motion.

· Define epicycle.

· Describe the geocentric model of the solar system.

· Discuss how the observed motions of the planets led to our modern view of a heliocentric model solar system.

-Explain how the ideas of Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton revolutionized thinking in the scientific communities

· Sketch the major contributions of Copernicus to the development of our understanding of the solar system.

· Sketch the major contributions of Galileo to the development of our understanding of the solar system.

· Sketch the major contributions of Kepler to the development of our understanding of the solar system.

· Explain how Newton’s contributions increased our understanding of the solar system (i.e. revisions to Kepler’s laws.

-Formulate operational definitions of major variables using Kepler and Newton’s laws (i.e. orbital motion, gravity)

· State Kepler’s three laws of planetary motion.

· Use Kepler’s 3rd Law of Planetary Motion (P2 = a3) to calculate period and orbital radius of solar system planets

· Explain how astronomers have measured the true size of the solar system.

· State Newton’s law of motion and provide examples for each law.

· Define gravitational force.

· State Newton’s law of universal gravitation and use it to find the gravitational force between two objects.

Our Solar System & Extrasolar Systems

-Explain the theories for the origin of the solar system

· Define nebula.

· Define solar wind.

· Describe the nebular theory of solar system formation, using the physical processes of spinning, heating and flattening.

· Define accretion.

· Define Kelvin-Helmholtz contraction.

· Define protoplanets.

· Explain the differences in chemical composition of terrestrial and jovian planets based on temperatures in the early solar nebula and condensation temperatures of various elements and compounds.

· Define solar wind.

· Describe the relationship between seismic activity on a planet and the amount of cratering on its surface.

· Describe the relationship between a liquid, molten metallic core of a planet and the strength of its magnetic field.

· Explain the formation processes of the asteroid belt, Kuiper belt and Oort Cloud.

-Distinguish between questions that can be answered by science and those that cannot, and between problems that can be solved by technology and those that cannot with regards to extrasolar system formation.

· Define extrasolar planet.

· List general properties of extrasolar planets.

· Describe the methods of detecting extrasolar planets.

· Evaluate how well nebular theory explains extrasolar system formation.

-Describe and apply classification systems and nomenclature used in the sciences (i.e. classifying different objects in the solar system)

· Describe the major structures that compose the solar system (i.e. Sun, planets, asteroids, comets and meteoroids).

· List the terrestrial and jovian planets.

· Contrast the properties of terrestrial and jovian planets.

· Define planet.

· Explain why certain objects (like Pluto, Charon and Ceres) are not classified as planets.

· Define asteroid and describe the properties of asteroids.

· Analyse the similarities and differences between asteroids and the inner planets.

· Define comet and describe the properties of comets.

· Apply Bode’s Law to describe the distances of planets in our solar system in relation to the Sun.

· Contrast the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud.

The Birth & Death of Stars

-Describe and apply classification systems and nomenclature used in the classification of stars

· Define light as electromagnetic radiation.

· Use the universal wave equation to find the wavelength and frequency of light.

· Describe the relationships between wavelength and frequency for various forms of light (i.e. radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray, gamma) on the electromagnetic spectrum.

· Define spectroscopy.

· Explain Kirchoff’s laws as they relate to continuous, absorption and emission spectra.

· Explain how spectral analysis can be used to determine the chemical composition of a star’s atmosphere.

· Use the Bohr model of an atom and electron excitation and transitions to explain the occurrence of different spectral lines for stars of different surface temperatures.

· Explain how astronomers determine the radial velocity of a star (i.e. its velocity either approaching Earth or moving away from Earth) from the ‘blueshift’ or ‘redshift’ of its spectral lines.

· Explain the relationship between a star’s luminosity and its brightness and distance from the Earth (i.e. Stefan-Boltzmann Law).

· Explain the relationship between a star’s luminosity and its radius and surface temperature (i.e. Stefan-Boltzmann Law).

· Explain the relationship between the surface temperature of a star and the peak (maximum) wavelength of light it emits (i.e. Wein’s Law)

· Use Wein’s law to determine peak wavelength or surface temperature of a star.

· Define star.

· Use the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram to determine spectral type and luminosity of various stars.

-Describe the life cycles of stars

-Compare the compositions of stars at different stages of their life cycles

· Define fragmentation.

· Define protostar.

· Define hydrogen burning.

· Define hydrostatic equilibrium.

· Define helium flash.

· Define planetary nebula.

· Define supernova.

· Contrast Type I and Type II Supernova.

· Distinguish between nova and supernova.

· Explain how heavy elements (i.e. heavier than hydrogen but lighter than iron) are produced in lower-mass stars.

· Explain how heavy elements (i.e. heavier than iron) are produced through supernovae.

· Define neutron star.

· Define black hole.

· Define brown dwarf.

· Distinguish between Main Sequence, Red Giant, Blue Supergiant and White Dwarf stars.

· Describe the processes that a nebula undergoes to become a main sequence star.

· Describe the life cycle of a sun-like star along the HR diagram.

· Define zero-age main sequence (ZAMS).

· Define turn-off point and how this information can be used to determine the age of a cluster.

· Compare and contrast low-mass and high-mass stars.

· Describe three possible fates of stars (depending on their mass) after they leave the main sequence.