Praxis (5511) - Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge > 15 - Astronomy and Atmospheric Science > Flashcards

15 - Astronomy and Atmospheric Science Flashcards

This deck explores the universe, from Earth's atmosphere to distant galaxies. It covers atmospheric science, including the greenhouse effect, weather, and climate change. It also delves into our solar system, examining planets, dwarf planets, asteroids, comets, and the Sun. Finally, it explores stars, black holes, and galaxy formation and evolution. (70 cards)

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1
Q

Define:

atmosphere

A

It is a layer of gases surrounding the surface of a planet.

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2
Q

List:

The main components of the Earth’s atmosphere.

A
  • Nitrogen gas
  • Oxygen gas
  • Argon

Nitrogen makes up 78%, oxygen 21% and argon a small percentage.

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3
Q

List:

The layers of the atmosphere.

A
  • Troposphere
  • Stratosphere
  • Mesosphere
  • Thermosphere
  • Exosphere
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4
Q

Identify:

The layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs.

A

Troposphere

It is the atmosphere’s lowest layer, home to humans and all other life forms.

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5
Q

Identify:

The layer that contains the ozone layer.

A

Stratosphere

It is is above the troposphere.

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6
Q

Identify:

The primary function of the ozone layer.

A

To absorb ultraviolet light.

This protects living organisms from harmful UV radiation.

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7
Q

Identify:

The range of the mesosphere in miles.

A

31-50 miles above the Earth’s surface.

This layer is characterized by cold temperatures.

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8
Q

Identify:

Two main characteristics of the thermosphere.

A

It is very low density and it is home to the International Space Station.

It extends from 50 to 440 miles above Earth.

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9
Q

Identify:

The two most abundant gases in Earth’s atmosphere.

A
  • Nitrogen (78%)
  • Oxygen (21%)

Together, they account for about 99% of the atmosphere.

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10
Q

List:

Three important greenhouse gases.

A
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Methane
  • Water vapor

These gases contribute to the greenhouse effect.

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11
Q

Identify:

The percentage of the atmosphere made up of water vapor.

A

0.4%

Water vapor levels vary based on humidity.

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12
Q

Define:

weather

A

The state of the atmosphere at a particular moment in time, including heat, dryness, wind or sunshine.

Weather is influenced by seasons, climate and fronts.

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13
Q

Explain:

Why is it important to understand different kinds of weather?

A

It enables meteorologists to predict future weather events and prepare for severe weather emergencies.

Meteorologists study weather patterns and use forecasting techniques.

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14
Q

Explain:

How does rain form?

A

When water vapor in the clouds condensates into large droplets and falls to the Earth.

Rain is also known as precipitation.

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15
Q

Explain:

The difference between a thunderstorm and a hurricane.

A
  • A thunderstorm includes heavy rainfall, lightning and thunder. It may also involve strong winds and hail.
  • A hurricane is more severe than a thunderstorm. It involves swirling storms with extremely strong and destructive winds.
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16
Q

Describe:

A blizzard

A

A severe winter weather event characterized by large amounts of snowfall and high winds above 35 miles per hour.

Snowstorms (snow, sleet or freezing rain) occur when temperatures are below freezing.

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17
Q

List:

Two characteristics of cirrus clouds.

A
  • High altitude
  • Feathery clouds
Image Source

Cirrus clouds are often seen in fair weather.

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18
Q

List:

Two characteristics of cumulus.

A
  • Low-level altitude
  • White “cotton ball” clouds
Image Source
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19
Q

Define:

A sandstorm

A

A weather event specific to hot, dry areas where high winds pick up sand.

Sandstorms can reach heights of 10 to 50 feet.

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20
Q

Explain:

What role does wind play in weather?

A

It carries moisture and heat, causing changes in weather.

Wind travels from high pressure to low pressure areas.

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21
Q

List:

The five different climate types.

A
  • Tropical: Avg. 64°F year-round
  • Dry: Summer temperatures up to 104°F
  • Temperate: Avg. 32-68°F
  • Continental: Winters below -22°F
  • Polar: Below 50°F year-round
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22
Q

Explain:

What happens during a warm front?

A

A warm air mass pushes into a colder one, causing storms.

Warm fronts are indicated by red lines on weather maps.

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23
Q

Explain:

What happens during a cold front?

A

When a cold air mass pushes into a warm one, bringing strong winds and temperature drops.

Cold fronts are represented by blue lines on weather maps.

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24
Q

Describe:

What happens during a stationary front?

A

A front that stops moving, causing long periods of fog and rain.

Stationary fronts are depicted with both red and blue on weather maps.

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25
# Explain: The main **difference** between *weather* and *climate*.
* **Weather** refers to **short-term atmospheric conditions**. * **Climate** refers to **long-term average atmospheric conditions**. ## Footnote **Weather** is typically assessed over hours or days, while **climate** is assessed over years or decades.
26
# List: The elements that contribute to **weather**.
* Distance from the sun * Latitudinal location * Air pressure * Water ## Footnote These elements significantly affect the **weather patterns** experienced in different regions.
27
# Define: meteorologist
**Scientist that study the weather** and predict it based on atmospheric conditions. ## Footnote They utilize tools like **satellites**, **radars** and **barometers** to gather data.
28
# Explain: Why is studying **weather** important?
It can impact human activity and save lives in severe situations. ## Footnote Accurate **forecasts** can inform decisions like trip planning or evacuations during storms.
29
# Identify: The **agency** that studies **weather** and **climate patterns** in the United States.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | (**NOAA**) ## Footnote NOAA updates climate information every 10 years based on data from the previous 30 years.
30
# Define: climatologist
A **scientist** who studies the **climate**. ## Footnote Notable climatologists include **Thomas Jefferson**, **Benjamin Franklin** and **Hippocrates**.
31
# Fill in the blank: **Weather** is usually scaled to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
minutes, hours or days
32
# Fill in the blank: **Climate** is usually scaled to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
seasons, years or decades
33
# Define: galaxy
A large gravitationally bound **system of stars**, interstellar dust, **nebulae**, **stellar remnants** and **dark matter**. ## Footnote Most galaxies contain a central **supermassive black hole**.
34
# Identify: Who classified **galaxies** into three primary types?
Edwin Hubble
35
# List: The three main types of **galaxies**.
* Spiral * Elliptical * Irregular ## Footnote They can be further subdivided into categories within these main types. There is a semicategory called **lenticular**, where galaxies have similarities to **elliptical** and **spiral galaxies**.
36
# List: The characteristics of **spiral galaxies**.
* Spiraling arms. * A central bulge. * Mass distributed in a disk-like shape. ## Footnote They can include subtypes like **barred spiral** and **lenticular-spiral galaxies**.
37
# Describe: A lenticular-spiral galaxy
A galaxy with a **central bulge** and a **flattened disk**, but no spiral arms. ## Footnote It has characteristics of both **spiral** and **elliptical galaxies**.
38
# Explain: What differentiates **elliptical galaxies** from **spiral galaxies**?
Elliptical galaxies have an **elliptical shape** and **lack spiral arms**. ## Footnote They range from **E0** (**nearly spherical**) to **E7** (**more elongated**).
39
# Fill in the blank: The **Milky Way** is a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ galaxy.
spiral ## Footnote It contains **Earth** and its **solar system**.
40
# Identify: The estimated number of **galaxies** in the observable **Universe**.
100 to 200 billion. ## Footnote This estimate reflects the vastness of the **Universe**.
41
# Define: A supermassive black hole
A **black hole** at the center of most **galaxies**. ## Footnote They are regions of spacetime with gravitational wells so strong that nothing can escape.
42
# Explain: The role **dark matter** plays in **galaxies**.
It may account for **85% of the matter in the Universe** and affects **galaxy spin**. ## Footnote **Dark matter** helps explain why galaxies do not rip apart despite their spin.
43
# Define: Solar system
It comprises **a single sun** and **eight planets** orbiting around it, along with **moons**, **asteroids**, **comets**, **meteoroids**, **dwarf planets** and **meteorites**. ## Footnote The **Milky Way Galaxy** contains approximately **3,200 different solar systems**.
44
# List: The **planets** of the solar system.
* **M**ercury * **V**enus * **E**arth * **M**ars * **J**upiter * **S**aturn * **U**ranus * **N**eptune ## Footnote '**M**y **V**ery **E**ducated **M**other **J**ust **S**erved **U**s **N**achos' is a mnemonic that helps recall the planets in order from the Sun.
45
# List: The four terrestrial planets.
* Mercury * Venus * Earth * Mars ## Footnote **Terrestrial planets** have a **solid surface** and are smaller than **Jovian planets**.
46
# List: The Jovian planets
* Jupiter * Saturn * Uranus * Neptune ## Footnote These planets are larger than terrestrial planets.
47
# Define: moon
A **celestial body** that **orbits a planet** rather than the sun and has enough gravitational pull to be shaped into a sphere. ## Footnote **Earth** has one large moon, while **Mercury** and **Venus** have none.
48
# Define: asteroids
**Large celestial bodies** made up of metal, rock or a combination of the two, and they also orbit the sun. ## Footnote **Asteroids** are considered **minor planets**.
49
# Define: comets
**Small, icy bodies** made of frozen gases, rocks and cosmic dust. ## Footnote They develop a **gas tail** as they approach the sun due to **melting ice**.
50
# Define: meteoroids
**Celestial bodies that float through space** and can be made of various materials. ## Footnote They are smaller than **asteroids**.
51
# Explain: What happens to a **meteoroid** when it enters **Earth's atmosphere**?
It heats up due to friction and **becomes a meteor**. ## Footnote Many **meteors** disintegrate during this passage.
52
# Define: meteorite
It is the **material from a meteor** that survives its passage through the atmosphere and **hits the ground**. ## Footnote **Meteoroids**, **meteors** and **meteorites** refer to the same body at different stages.
53
# Define: A star
An **astronomical body that shines from radiation** produced through nuclear reactions. ## Footnote **Stars** are primarily composed of **hydrogen** and **helium**.
54
# Identify: The **elements** that **stars** primarily fuse during their lifecycle.
**Hydrogen** and **helium**, followed by heavier elements as they age. ## Footnote More massive stars can fuse elements heavier than helium.
55
# Explain: What happens to a **star** at the end of its life?
It releases most of its mass back into the **interstellar medium**, forming a planetary **nebula** or a **supernova**. ## Footnote This process distributes heavier elements in the universe.
56
# List: The three main phases of an average **star's life cycle**.
* Yellow dwarf * Red giant * White dwarf ## Footnote The **Sun** is currently in the **yellow dwarf phase**.
57
# Identify: The lifespan of **average stars**.
Between 50 million and 20 billion years. ## Footnote **Lifespan** varies based on **mass**.
58
# Explain: What happens when **high-mass stars** exhaust their fuel?
They experience a **supernova** and may end up as **neutron stars** or **black holes**. ## Footnote These stars have much shorter lifespans compared to average stars.
59
# Explain: How does a **star's life** begin?
**Stars** form from matter in space through **gravitational attraction** in **molecular clouds** or **nebulae**. ## Footnote Small density differences in the clouds lead to collapse.
60
# Describe: A black dwarf
**A white dwarf that has cooled** and no longer emits light. ## Footnote This is the **final stage** of an average **star's lifecycle**.
61
# List: Three types of **objects** in the **solar system** that **orbit the sun**.
* Asteroids * Meteors * Comets ## Footnote These objects are made from materials that did not form the **sun**, **planets** or their **moons**.
62
# Identify: The size range of **asteroids**.
Less than one kilometer to hundreds of kilometers wide. ## Footnote **Ceres** is the largest body in the **asteroid belt** at 1,000 kilometers in diameter.
63
# Identify: Where are most **asteroids** located?
In the **asteroid belt** between Mars and Jupiter. ## Footnote This region was created by planetary bodies colliding due to Jupiter's gravity.
64
# List: The two categories of **comets** based on their **orbital period**.
* **Long-period** comets (orbit > 200 years) * **Short-period** comets (orbit < 200 years) ## Footnote **Long-period comets** originate from the **Oort Cloud**, while **short-period comets** come from the **Kuiper Belt**.
65
# Identify: The potential impact of a **comet** hitting Earth.
Catastrophic damage and climate changes. ## Footnote The gases released would lead to **mass extinction**.
66
# Identify: A significant difference between **meteors** and **asteroids**.
Meteors are smaller and enter the Earth's atmosphere. ## Footnote Asteroids can be hundreds of kilometers wide.
67
# Define: A dwarf planet
It is a large round object that orbits the Sun but **has not cleared its orbital path**. ## Footnote Typically found in the **asteroid belt** or **Kuiper belt**, **dwarf planets** are large but **not as large as regular planets** and cannot exert **orbital dominance**.
68
# Identify: The materials that primarily compose **Ceres**.
Mostly **ice** and **rock**. ## Footnote Named after the **Roman** goddess of harvests, **Ceres** is located in the **asteroid belt**.
69
# Identify: The average distance of **Pluto** from the **Sun**.
3.67 billion miles ## Footnote **Pluto** was considered a planet until its reclassification in 2006.
70
# List: The gases found in the atmosphere of **Pluto**.
* Nitrogen * Methane * Carbon monoxide ## Footnote Pluto has a thin atmosphere with a blue tint.
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