Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Mrs. Musick Stars, the Universe, and Waves
The vocabulary of the life cycles of stars and characteristics of the universe
39
Science
8th Grade
03/19/2012

Additional Science Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Stellar Nebula
Definition
A star nursery.  All stars are "born" or created here from clouds of gas and dust called interstellar medium.
Term
Interstellar Medium
Definition
The clouds and dust in stellar nebulae that stars are formed from.
Term
Protostar
Definition

When gas and dust combine due to gravity in a stellar nebula and the temperature rises enough to start nuclear fusion (15 million degrees Celcius), a protostar is formed.

 

If the temperature does not get hot enough to start nuclear fusion, this core of dust and gas will form a brown dwarf.

Term
Brown Dwarf
Definition
When dust and gas condense into a core in a stellar nebula but the core does not reach a temperature at which nuclear fusion begins.
Term
Nuclear Fusion
Definition
When the nuclei of two or more atoms fuse together to form a larger atom.  The fusion of main sequence stars is helium being fromed from the fusion of hydrogen nuclei.
Term
Red Giant
Definition
The inner core is condensing and becoming hotter.  The outer crust is cooling and expanding.  Helium is being fused into carbon in the core.
Term
White Dwarf
Definition
When a red giant has shed its outside crust, the inner core glows white hot.  It is made mostly of carbon.
Term
Planetary Nebula
Definition
Originally thought to be a planet when viewed through primitive telescopes, this is actually the process viewed when a red giant sheds its outer crust to become a white dwarf.
Term
Black Dwarf
Definition
A dead main sequence star.  A chunk of frozen carbon that has burned out all of its fuel.
Term
Red Super Giant
Definition
Stars that are three times the mass of our sun enter a different life cycle than typical main sequence or sun like stars.  Intead of forming red giants, they form these.  These types of stars generally die in a violent explosion called a supernova.
Term
Neutron Star
Definition
One of the two results of a supernova.  This is what happens to stars that are 1.5-9 times the size of our sun.  The core condenses with so much gravity that protons and electrons combine to form neutrons.
Term
Black Hole
Definition
The largest of the massive stars form this after a supernova.  The gravity here is so intense that not even light can escape.
Term
Main Sequence Stars
Definition
90% of stars are this.  They are stars that are typically less than 3 solar masses.  They live much longer and less violent lives than massive stars.
Term
Solar Mass
Definition
A unit of measure that is equal to the mass of our sun.
Term
Universe
Definition
All space and the matter space contains.
Term
Star
Definition
A self-luminous celestial body consisting of mass and gas held together by its own gravity in which the energy is generated by interior nuclear reactions.
Term
Galaxy
Definition
A large group of stars in space.
Term
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
Definition
A plot of surface temperature (color) and their luminosity (brightness).
Term
[image]
Definition
Sprial shaped galaxy.
Term
[image]
Definition
Eliptical shaped galaxy.
Term
[image]
Definition
Irregular shaped galaxy.
Term
[image]
Definition
Lenticular shaped galaxy.
Term
Wavelength
Definition
In a transverse wave, the measurement of one wave from crest to crest, or trough to trough. In a longitudnal wave, the measurement from compression to compression
Term
Amplitude
Definition
Term
Amplitude
Definition
In a transverse wave, the distance from the equilibrium position to the crest of a wave.
Term
Frequency
Definition
Wavelength divided by time.
Term
Direction of Wave
Definition
The direction in which a wave is moving.
Term
Direction of Disturbance
Definition
The direction in which whatever caused the wave was moving.
Term
[image]
Definition
Transverse wave
Term
[image]
Definition
Longitudinal wave
Term
[image]
Definition
Electromagnetic wave
Term
Radio waves
Definition

At the long-wavelength, low-frequency end of the electromagnetic spectrum, they carry information and entertainment through radio and telecision.

 

Used for entertainment in radio and TV as well as RADAR and MRIs.

Term
Microwaves
Definition

Radiowaves with the shortest wavelengths and highest frequencies.

 

Commonly used to cook food in microwave ovens and in transmitting the waves for cellular phones.

Term
Infrared Rays
Definition
Heat waves.  If you have ever watched the inside of your toaster, the heating elements turn red hot.  Infrared waves are cooking your toast!
Term
Visible Light
Definition
The part of the electromagnetic spectrum that you can see.  The different wavelengths in this part of the spectrum are what are responsible for the colors.
Term
Ultraviolet Rays
Definition

Have wavelengths that are too short to see.  They are on the electromagnetic spectrum between visible light and X-rays.

 

In small doses, they can help your body produce Vitamin D which allows your body to proccess calcium.  In doses that are too large, they can cause cancer.

 

Life on earth would not be possible without these rays because of their role in photosynthesis.

Term
X-Rays
Definition
Between UV rays and Gamma rays on the electromagnetic spectrum, these waves can penetrate the body but are absorbed by denser tissues such as bone.  These waves are on the higher frequency end of the spectrum.
Term
Gamma Rays
Definition
These rays are of the highest frequency and the shortest wavelength ont he electromagnetic spectrum.  They are used in hospitals to diagnose and treat cancer.  Uncontrolled doses of these rays can also cause cancer.
Term
Light Year
Definition
The distance that light can travel in a vacuum in one Earth year.
Supporting users have an ad free experience!