Unit 2: Understanding the Universe

Cosmology

The study of nature, structure, origin, and fate of the Universe

Did Hydrogen originate from the big bang, nuclear fusion (in stars), or supernovas?

Big Bang

What were the three things the Big bang theory states?

1) It indicates that the universe is expanding and has always been expanding since the beginning. The Big Bang refers to the rapid expansion of the universe triggered by some unknown event, as opposed to an actual "bang." 2) The Big Bang states that the universe started as a very hot, dense and small point that was crammed with all matter. 3) The Big Bang confirms that the universe is cooling down as it expands.

How many electrons can the third orbital hold?

18 electrons

How many electrons can the first shell hold?

2 electrons

How many electrons can the fourth orbital hold?

32 electrons

What is the universe made of?

4% atoms, 22% cold dark-matter, 74% dark energy

How many electrons can the second orbital hold?

8 electrons

Explain characteristics of spiral galaxies

A bulge, disk, and halo are the three main components spiral galaxies. A twisted collection of stars and gases.

Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram

A chart that compares absolute magnitude and temperature

Nebula

A large cloud of dust and gas in space

Define supernova

A violent collapse and explosion of large stars

About how long ago was the Big bang?

About 13.7 billion years ago

Quasars

An enormously bright, distant galaxy with a giant black hole at its center

This scientific theory states that the universe began very hot and dense and has expanded out from a tiny point. It also states that the universe is expanding still.

Big Bang theory

Did Helium originate from the big bang, nuclear fusion (in stars), or supernovas?

Big bang

If the universe were collapsing you would expect to see this when you analyzed the starlight from distant galaxies.

Blue shift

Leftover energy from the big bang that is spread uniformly throughout the universe.

Cosmic Background Radiation

What is another piece of evidence that supports that Big bang?

Cosmic Background Radiation; the electromagnetic radiation/energy left over from the big bang

This type of galaxy gets it name from it characteristic oval shape.

Elliptical

Universe

Everything include stars, galaxies, energy, all matter, etc.

Red-Shifted starlight data, cosmic background radiation, and the distribution of elements throughout the universe are the three major pieces of ____________________________ that confirms the Big Bang Theory.

Evidence

Red-Shifted starlight data indicates that our universe is __________________________.

Expanding

What is one of the pieces of evidence that supports the Big Bang theory?

Expansion of the Universe - Through studies of light (light/red-shifting), Edwin Hubble made observations that the universe was expanding. He studied that the galaxies moved outward and the rates of expansion.

A large collection of stars held together by gravity.

Galaxy

What are the four forces that keep our galaxies together?

Gravity, Strong force, Weak force, and Electromagnetic Force

Any element other than hydrogen or helium is considered to be a _______________________.

Heavy element

The most basic and abundant element in our universe.

Hydrogen

This type of galaxy can come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes, there is no set shape or size. Another name for it would be "uncommon"

Irregular

Explain characteristics of irregular galaxies

Irregular galaxies have no particular, regular, or symmetrical structure

Everything we know about stars we know from analyzing that stars_______________________

Light

This is the name of the life stage of a star that is currently fusing hydrogen into helium in its core. This is the longest stage of any star's life cycle (Where 90% of our stars lie)

Main sequence

What elements were produced as a result of the Big bang?

Mainly Hydrogen and Helium. (Also, small amounts of lithium and beryllium).

What is the name of our galaxy?

Milky Way

This process occurs in the core of stars and involves two or more elements fusing together to create a new element. This process releases a lot of energy in the process.

Nuclear Fusion

Did Carbon originate from the big bang, nuclear fusion (in stars), or supernovas?

Nuclear fusion

Did Sodium originate from the big bang, nuclear fusion (in stars), or supernovas?

Nuclear fusion

An acronym representing the visible light spectrum from red to violet.

ROYGBIV

If the universe were expanding you would expect to see this when you analyzed the starlight from distant galaxies.

Red-shift

Explain characteristics of elliptical galaxies

Shaped like a spheroid (elongated sphere), we can only see two of their three dimensions, while they are in the sky, the larger the number, the more elliptical the galaxy is

This word describes the universe's size in the beginning

Small

Each element has unique fingerprint or barcode which you can see when the element is viewed through one of these special tools.

Spectroscope

When light gets divided up into its wavelengths you call it ___________________. The visible light _________________ is an example.

Spectrum

This type of galaxy gets its name from its characteristic swirling shape. Our galaxy has this very common shape.

Spiral

These objects are giant "nuclear furnaces" that burn throughout the universe. These objects are powered by the nuclear fusion that takes place in the core.

Stars

Did Gold originate from the big bang, nuclear fusion (in stars), or supernovas?

Supernova

Did Uranium originate from the big bang, nuclear fusion (in stars), or supernovas?

Supernova

The end of the a star's life that both makes the heaviest elements on the periodic table and sends elements scattered across the universe to be recycled.

Supernova

What is the last piece of evidence that supports the Big band theory?

The elements agree; the amount of elements in the universe match the predicted amounts created created my the Big Bang computer models.

What do stars spend their time doing?

They convert hydrogen in their core into helium, releasing energy and giving off heat.

The combination of all matter and energy, whether on Earth or in outer space, makes up the _______________________

Universe

Whch color has the shortest wavelength?

Violet/blue

The color of a wave of light depends entirely on its_______________________. Red has the longest and violet has the shortest.

Wavelength

Star clusters

groups of stars that all formed at the same time

gas clouds

nebula (birthplace of stars)

List the starts from smallest to biggest

neutron star, white dwarf, medium sized star, giant star

Which color has the longest wavelength?

red

What are three major types of galaxies?

spiral, elliptical, irregular