Question Pool For Astr 1010 Final Exam Spring 2022
The following are the questions that are in the question pool for the final exam. The Final Exam
will be open notes and open book so here is your chance to get all the questions 100% right. Sit
down with your class notes, lecture slides, textbook and any other resources and write out your
answers so they are ready when you take the exam. I don’t object to you using online resources
(in fact I encourage it) your answers must be in your own words. I will come down heavy on
answers that are simply cut and paste from some outside resource. That is plagiarism and you
will not receive any credit for your answer, even if it is correct! Use the resource to understand
the answer then write it down in your own words.
1) Describe the scientific method and how scientists use it to explain physical phenomena. Give
an example of how the scientific method has been used on a specific phenomenon in science.
The scientific method is the system scientists use to help better understand how nature works.
First decide on what phenomena or subject you want to study, then gather preliminary
information to help form a hypothesis. A hypothesis is an educated guess to explain the
phenomena. Use the hypothesis to make a prediction that can be tested. Then perform an
experiment or observation to test the prediction. If the experiment supports the hypothesis and
its prediction, you make more and more tests. If the experiment does not support the
hypothesis, modify/change the hypothesis and test again. In this way the hypothesis is always
modified and tested as needed. The method never ends and always loops back on itself.
An example is the theory of gravity. Newton proposed a theory of gravity. Then tested by
predicting motions of the planets and compared predictions to actual motion. His theory was
continually tested on a problem that was found with discovery of the orbit of Mercury. Einstein
came along and proposed a new theory which has been tested many times and is continually
tested today.
2) Using the celestial sphere model, describe motions of the stars. Be sure to make reference to
the important reference marks of the celestial sphere.
The celestial model displays the motion of the stars. The stars that are in the North travel
counterclockwise, while the stars that are located to the South travel clockwise. The star Polaris
moves in a circle always keeping its position.
3) Describe the origins of the constellations and their modern-day definition.
The constellations can be traced back to the European culture 2000 years ago. The modern-day
definition is the zodiac used to define peoples category. The Canis major definition (constellation
in the southern sky, at about 7 hours right ascension and 20° south in declination) is big dog
today.
4) Briefly describe the causes of the seasons and how they are related to the apparent motion of
the sun along the ecliptic and the position of the earth in its orbit around the sun. Make specific
reference to the earth’s perihelion and aphelion and their relationship to the seasons. Include
mention of the four important dates in the seasonal motion of the Sun.
The celestial model displays the motion of the stars. The stars that are in the Northern
hemisphere travel counterclockwise the stars that are located within the Southern hemisphere
travel clockwise. In contrast, the star Polaris moves in a circle always keeping its position.
5) Describe the phases of the Moon. Give the specific names of the eight different phases and the
orientation between the Sun, Moon and Earth for each of those eight phases. How much of the
Moon is visible in each phase and which side is visible?
6) Describe a total solar eclipse. What is the alignment between Earth, Moon, and Sun? How
long does totality last? Why are they so infrequent?
A total solar eclipse occurs when a location on Earth passes through the Moons umbra, which is
the darkest inner part of the shadow, the Moon blocks all the Suns light. Moon goes between the
Earth and the Sun. Totality of a total solar eclipse can last as long as 7 minutes and 31 seconds
and can be shorter. Due to eclipses only being able to be viewed on certain paths and these paths
changing total eclipses are infrequent.
7) Describe Tycho Brahe’s contribution to astronomy. Who was he? Where did he work? Who
did he work with?
8) State Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion and the consequences and meaning of those laws.
The laws discovered by Kepler describe the motion of the planets around the Sun. The
first Law of Ellipses states the planets move in an elliptical orbit around the sun. The
consequence of this law is that it is against what is already predicted. The second Law of Areas is
a line drawn from a planet to the Sun will sweep out equal areas in equal time periods. The parts
have the same area but not the same distance. The short fat triangles closest to the Sun move fast.
Then vice versa long triangles move slower. The third law of Harmonies is the orbital radius is
the same for all planets P^2 = A^2. He made a model with more accuracy than Ptolemy's model.
The consequence is going against what Ptolemy's prediction and model stated for the orbit of the
solar system.
9) Describe some of Galileo’s contributions to physics and astronomy and why they led to
“problems” with the Catholic Church.
Galileo ran experiments to develop new physics because he did not believe in Aristotle.
Regarding physics, he discovered the Law of Falling Bodies. This experiment was run by
dropping balls to see how they hit the ground and due to friction how they would land at the
same time. In astronomy Galileo discovered sunspots, Saturn’s drawing, lunar observations,
phases of Venus, and made observations of Jupiter. The observations of Jupiter related to the
third law Kepler stated. The problem with the Catholic is church was the bishop told Galileo not
to write about Copernicus and his view, but Galileo did indeed do that in his book. While in one
of his books he wrote of an argument with Copernicus' views and an illogical persons view who
made comments related to those said by bishop now Pope.
10) State Newton’s Three Laws of Motion and his Universal Law of Gravitation. Give examples
of each of the three laws of motion. Describe each of the terms in the Universal Law of
Gravitation and some of the consequences of it.
Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation states that every particle of matter in the universe attracts
every other particle with a force that varies directly with the product of their masses and
inversely with the square of the distance between them. The force depends on both the distance
and mass. the amount of objects force adds up when an object is being pulled on. The
consequence is that it derives some on Kepler's laws. However, Newton’s Three Laws of Motion
state that (1) Every object moves in a straight line unless acted upon by a force. (2) The
acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force exerted and inversely
proportional to the object's mass. (3) For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
11) Describe how Newton’s law of gravity and Kepler’s 3rd law can be used to find the mass of a
planet, the Sun, or a star.
Newtons Law of universal gravitation with Kepler’s third law of planetary motion it is possible
to determine the mass of the sun by observing the orbital distance and orbital period of the
planets. He does this by modifying the constant K to G for Universal Gravitation and M for total
mass. To find the mass P is replaced with M.
12) Describe how and why the tides on Earth due to the Moon are affecting the orbit of the Moon
and the rotation of the Earth.
earth’s rotation drags the tidal bulge taking it out of perfect alignment with the moon. the
earths pull on the moon's tidal bulge pulls caused it to lock in on earth. This slows the rotation
period of the moon to match the orbital period.
The friction caused by the rotational period moves the moon further from earth. The spiral away
from us causes slow rotation because of the tidal bulge.
13) Describe the cause of tides on Earth. Why are the tides due to the Moon stronger than the
tides due to the Sun even though the strength of the gravitational force on Earth due to the Moon
is much weaker than the strength of the gravitational force of the Sun on Earth?
The difference in gravitational force from one location to another creates the tides. Tidal stress
gives tides as well. The high and low tides are due to the season. The tides due to the Moon are
stronger than the tides to the Sun, the fractional difference between the Earth and the Sun.
14) Describe a “blackbody” spectrum and how its shape and size depend on the temperature of
the object producing it.
The spectrum of a blackbody is continuous rainbow colors emitted from an object due to its
temperature. The shape is all the same, but the size and peak of wavelength depends on the
temperature. The higher the temp. the higher the curve.
15) Describe the Doppler Effect and give at least two ways that it can affect the spectrum of a
star.
The Doppler effect is the description of light sources shift of motion towards and away a person.
The light source moving toward a person is blue shifted. If the light source is moving away from
a person, it is red shifted.
16) Describe the modern model of the atom. Include descriptions of how the mass and charge are
distributed, the composition of the nucleus, electron energy levels and the location of the
electrons.
The modern model of an atom is Bohr. The electrons are in an electron cloud at a fundamental
level with a negative charge surrounding the nucleus. The nucleus is 99.98% mass composed of
protons and neutrons. Protons are positively charged, and Neutrons are neutral charged. The
electron levels are like a bookshelf and go increase the higher up the bookshelf you go. The
atoms emit light when the energy changes therefore the more energy the further atom can go. But
if there is too much energy applied the atom will be knocked off the bookshelf.
17) Describe some of the early methods of measuring the speed of light. What were the results
and how did they lead to problems with how the speed of light does or does not add to the speed
of the light source?
18) Describe the criterion used in selecting observatory sites. Why is it that a few sites like Kitt
Peak and Mauna Kea have so many telescopes? What are the qualities of these sites that make
them so attractive to astronomers?
19) Briefly describe the two main types of telescopes. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages
of each type.
20) Describe one of the major space-based telescopes and the wavelengths it observes in.
21) Describe some of the evidence we have for how we think solar systems are like ours form.
Where do they form? What types of objects have been observed? How do the observations
compare to the nebular model of solar system formation?
22) Briefly describe the nebular model for the formation of the solar system. Include details
about the formation of both the central star and the planets around it.
23) Describe the hunt for extra-solar planets. What kinds of techniques are used, what kinds of
planets have been found, how many planets have been found, what kind of orbits do the planets
have?
24) Most of the exoplanets that have been found are “hot Jupiter’s”: large gas giants orbiting
very close to their star. Explain why these types of planets are easiest to find with the techniques
astronomers use to find exoplanets and why Earth sized planets are so hard to find. How has the
nebular theory for the formation of our solar system had to be modified to explain these hot
Jupiter’s?
25) Describe the formation of a planet beginning with the solar nebula and going up to the
formation of a protoplanets.
26) Describe the atmosphere of Mars. How does it change with the seasons? What kinds of
storms, if any, are there on Mars? What are some of the causes of the weather on Mars?
27) Briefly describe the atmosphere of Venus from the above the top of the clouds all the way
down to the surface. Include a discussion of how the greenhouse effect has created the surface
conditions found on Venus.
28) Describe the general topography of Mars and some of the largest features found on the
surface of Mars. Discuss the tectonics that lead to the creation of the major surface features.
29) Briefly describe some of the surface features found on Venus. What kinds of rock do we
suspect are found on the surface? What kind of tectonics might exist on the planet?
30) Briefly describe the source of Earth’s magnetic field, its interaction with the solar wind and
its long-term variation.
31) Describe the origin and evolution of Earth’s atmosphere. How has its’ elemental composition
changed over time and what has caused the changes.
32) Describe the greenhouse effect, its cause and possible consequences on Earth, Venus and
Mars.
33) Briefly describe the theory of plate tectonics. How has it influenced the shape of the
continents, what is the driving force behind it, what are some of the activities associated with it?
34) Describe the four processes which are important in shaping the surface of a terrestrial planet.
Give examples of each process.
