PHYS 253: Study Guide for Section I

(Chapters: 0,1,2 and 6)

The purpose of this guide is to point out key terms, concepts, and principles that you should know. It is by no means a replacement for you notes or text book. This guide is not all inclusive. It should help you, however, review and prepare for test #1.

General Advice:

1. Be able to define key terms at the end of each chapter.

2. Be able to state the major contribution of astronomers, scientists, etc in every chapter.

3. Be able to answer all the end of the chapter multiple choice self-test questions.

4. Be able to repeat sample problems done in class and similar end of chapter numerical problems and thought questions.

5. Visit the textbook website and play the animations relevant to this section.

6. Visit the textbook website and take the Practice Quizes for the chapters covered in this section.

Ch 0. The Cosmic Landscape:

Be able to define the terms astronomical unit and light year.

Be able to list in order increasing or decreasing of size and distance our planet, our galaxy, the local group, local super cluster, and the universe. (See Fig 1-10)

Be able to list the planets in order of increasing distance from the sun

Be able list rank the planets based on size. Largest to smallest or vice versa.

Be able to calculate the time light takes to reach us from the sun.

 

Ch 1. History of Astronomy:

Be able to define the following key terms:

Constellation           Circumpolar Constellations       The Signs of the Zodiac

Astrology             Ecliptic      Circle       Ellipse   Epicycle    Deferent

Solar Eclipse    Lunar Eclipse           Geocentric Model

Ptolemaic System     Heliocentric Model    Copernican System     Vernal Equinoxes    Autumnal Equinox     Summer Solstice    Winter Solstice     Model   Parallax    Retrograde Motion        Kelpler's Laws    Al Magest

Given a star chart: Be able to list some and locate examples of circumpolar constellations, the signs of the Zodiac, and some prominent object such as Venus, Sirius, Orion etc..

Be able to state or list the accomplishments of the following

astronomers, scientist and/or philosophers:

Thales   Anaxagorus     Plato    Pythagorus Aristotle    Aristarchus     Hipparchus    Eratosthenes Ptolemy     Copernicus   Brahe Kepler      Galileo    Newton   Einstein    Bessel

Be able to state Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion Clearly

 

Ch. 2 Newton's Laws of Motion and Gravitation;

Be able to define the following key terms:

Acceleration     Speed Velocity   Inertia    Mass    Force

1 Newton     1 dyne 1    Slug    Escape Velocity     Centripetal Force.

What is the significance of the constants g, G, and c.

Be able to state Newton's three laws of motion clearly.

Be able to state how the first law relates to the importance of seat belts and the definition of force and inertia.

Be able to use the second law to define the units: 1 Newton, 1 dyne, 1 lb.

Be able to show that the first law is a special case of the second laws.

Be able to list examples that illustrate the third law of motion.

Be able to do simple calculations using Newton's Gravitational Law.

Be able to calculate the period of a space station, such as sky lab or Mir, using Newton's Gravitational Law and/or Kepler's third law.

Ch. 6. The Moon:

Be able to define the key terms: craters, Maria, regolith, highlands, rays riles, tides, lunar eclipse, solar eclipse, annular eclipse, annular eclipse, corona

Be able to explain why we do not see eclipses once or even twice a month.

Be able to describe the following models or hypotheses for the orcin of the moon.

 

I. Fission II. Capture III. Accretion (Simultaneous or twin ) and IV. Impact-Triggered (violent birth) hypothesis.

Odds and Ends

You should read Essays: 1. Backyard Astronomy 4. Keeping Time

These essays are not as important as the chapters but they are interesting.

E1 will give some idea on how to look up from your backyard and locate common constellations.

E4 deals with time keeping. The discussion about the calendar is important.