Astronomy 161 - Autumn 2007
In-Class Quiz 3 Study Guide

Light (Electromagnetic Radiation)
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   Wavelength & Frequency
   Speed of Light in a vacuum
   Photons
   Energy of photons (relation to frequency)
   The Electromagnetic Spectrum
      Types of light sorted by energy (or equivalently, frequency & wavelength)
      Gamma Rays, X-Rays, UV, Visible, IR, Microwaves, Radio
   Distinction between apparent brightness & luminosity
   The Inverse-Square Law of Brightness
   Doppler Effect


Nature of Matter
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   Constituents of Atoms: 
      Nucleus of Protons & Neutrons
      Orbiting Electrons
   Chemical Elements
      Atomic Number (number of protons)
      Isotopes
   Radioactive Decay and Half-Life


Four Fundamental Forces of Nature
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   Gravitation
   Electromagnetism
   Strong & Weak Nuclear Forces
   Relative strengths of the 4 fundamental forces


Spectroscopy
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   Kirchoff's Three Laws of Spectroscopy
   Continuous Spectrum (Blackbody Spectrum)
      Stefan-Boltzmann Law
      Wien's Law
   Atomic Structure revealed by spectral lines
      Emission-line Spectra
      Absorption-line Spectra
      Excitation and De-Excitation


Telescopes
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   Refracting Telescopes (design, size limits)
   Reflecting Telescopes (design, types)
   Light-Gathering Power (importance, dependence on objective diameter)
   Properties of good Observatory Sites


Age of the Earth
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   Historical versus Physical Ages
   Radioactive half-life
   Radioactive Isotope Dating (radiochronology)
      The age of a rock is the time since it solidified
   Problems finding the oldest rocks
   What is the age of the Earth?  What data are used?


Internal Structure of the Earth
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   Seismology as a probe of the Earth's interior
   P- and S-waves
   Location and composition of the different layers:
      Solid Inner Core 
      Molten Outer Core
      Mantle
      Crust
   Differentiation
   Earth's Magnetic Field
   Division of the crust into plates
   Plate Tectonics & Continental Drift
   Types of plate boundaries
      Transform Boundaries (lateral motions, transverse faults)
      Convergent Boundaries (plates colliding, subduction, crust buckling)
      Divergent Boundaries (mid-ocean ridges)


The Earth's Atmosphere
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   Composition of the present atmosphere
   Primordial (ancient) atmosphere
   Origin of the atmosphere in volcanic outgassing
   Origin of oxygen in the atmosphere
   Where is the water and carbon dioxide now?
   Greenhouse Effect (causes & manifestation, importance
      in determining the Earth's surface temperature)
   Atmosphere evolution
   Human impacts on the atmosphere

   
The Moon
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   Lunar Terrain types: The Highlands & Maria
   Impact Craters
   Ages of the different terrains from amount of cratering
   Regolith
   Absence of a Magnetic Field
   Interior structure (crust, mantle, iron core?)
   Formation Theories (Co-formation/Fission/Capture/Collision)