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Download nsci 314 - life in the cosmos study guide 2
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NSCI 314 - LIFE IN THE COSMOS STUDY GUIDE 2 THIS IS A STUDY GUIDE FOR THE SECOND MIDTERM EXAM, WHICH WILL HELD DURING THE FIRST HOUR OF CLASS ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19. DO NOT MEMORIZE A LOT OF NUMBERS, DEFINITIONS, AND FACTS. YOU SHOULD KNOW SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS AND FACTS AND HAVE A ROUGH "BALLPARK" IDEA OF SOME IMPORTANT NUMBERS. HOWEVER, IT IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT TO CONCENTRATE ON UNDERSTANDING CONCEPTS, SO THAT YOU CAN EXPLAIN WHY THINGS ARE THE WAY THEY ARE (OR MIGHT BE). IN PARTICULAR, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND AND EXPLAIN A SENTENCE OR TWO ABOUT EACH OF THE FOLLOWING TOPICS. the solar system in general: - approximate size and shape - direction of orbital and rotational motion - basic differences between the inner and outer planets - nebular theories for the formation of the solar system and how they explain the above - collision theories for the formation of the solar system and why they don't work - how the rate of cooling depends on the size of the planet or moon, and how this determines the absence or presence of geological activity - how a planet's magnetic field can be created - how whether a gas escapes from a planet's atmosphere or not depends on the temperature, the planet's mass, and the gas molecule's mass - comparison (in terms of density and composition) of atmospheres of the inner planets - atmospheres (density and composition) of the outer planets - why liquid water can't exist on the surface of a planet with little or no atmosphere - what factors affect whether or not there are large temperature variations on a planet or moon - impact craters - on which objects they're visible and why - tidal forces and synchronous rotation - why some moons of outer planets are warmer than one might expect based on their distance from the sun - composition, appearance, and location of comets - composition and location of asteroids - meteoroids, meteors, and meteorites specific planets and moons in the solar system: - formation of the earth's moon - similarities between earth's moon and Mercury - greenhouse effect on Venus and why it's more severe than on the earth - evidence for water on Mars in the past - experiments carried out by Martian landers to look for life (just a summary, no details) - Martian meteorite (no details needed) - why Mars lost most of its atmosphere and water - volcanoes on Io - probable ocean on Europa - atmosphere, presence of liquid, and interesting organic chemistry on Titan - geysers/fountains on Enceladus and Triton - which planets or moons might be suitable locations for life and why - which planets or moons are not suitable locations for life and why exotic life: - possibility of life on neutron stars - fundamental types of forces - the role each fundamental type of force plays in the universe important properties of a suitable star: - main sequence - sufficiently long main sequence lifetime - size and location of habitable zone - abundance of heavy elements and relation to age of star - avoidance of cosmic violence - not in a binary or multiple system (maybe?) - fraction of stars that are suitable (rough idea) important properties of a suitable planet: - in habitable zone (or source of internal heat) - nearly circular orbit - massive enough to retain a reasonable atmosphere - rocky - geologically active? - large moon? - presence of larger planets in appropriate locations within the same solar system? extrasolar planets: - difficulties in observing planets outside of the solar system - methods of observation - brief description of each & which works best direct observations transits gravitational lensing astrometry Doppler effect - orbits and center of mass - brown dwarfs - approximate planetary masses and distances from star - what was unexpected about these planets - observational bias - possible migration of planets
