Stratosphere of the Earth’s atmosphere.

Formula Sheet
Constants
REarth = 6.37 x 106 m RSun = 6.96 x 108 m
MEarth = 5.97 x 1024 kg MSun = 1.99 x 1030 kg
PEarth = 365 d PMoon, Sidereal = 27.3 d
gEarth = 9.81 m/s2 PMoon, Synodic = 29.5 d
G = 6.67 x 10-11 m
3 kg-1 s
-2 c = 3 x 108 m/s
1 ly = 9.46 x 1015 m h = 6.63 x 10-34 m
2 kg/s
1 AU = 1.5 x 1011 m σ = 5. 670 ×10−8 𝐽 𝑚−2
𝑠
−1 𝐾−4
Formulas
𝑣 =
𝑑
𝑡
𝐾𝐸 = 1
2 𝑚𝑣
2
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 𝑃𝐸 = 𝐺𝑀𝑚
𝑟
≈ 𝑚𝑔ℎ
𝐹
𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣 = 𝑚𝑔 =
𝐺𝑀𝑚
𝑟
2 λ𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
3 × 106
𝑛𝑚 𝐾
𝑇
𝐹
𝑡𝑖𝑑𝑒 =
2𝐺𝑀𝑚
𝑟
3 𝑅 ∝ 𝑀
𝑟
3
∆λ
λ
0
=
𝑣
𝑐
𝑃
2
𝑎
3 =
4π2
𝐺(𝑀+𝑚) ≈
4π2
𝐺𝑀
𝐸
𝑝ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑛 = ℎ𝑓 = ℎ𝑐
λ
𝑝 = 𝑚𝑣 𝑐 = 𝑓λ
𝐿 = 𝑚𝑟𝑣 𝐹 = σ𝑇4
𝑟
1𝑚1
= 𝑟
2𝑚2 𝐿 = 4π𝑅2
σ𝑇4
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True or False Questions (2 pts each; circle T for true or F for false)
1. [T or F] Light can be described as both a particle and a wave.
2. [T or F] Most rainclouds are located in the stratosphere of the Earth’s atmosphere.
3. [T or F] The bright lines observed in emission spectra are formed when electrons
transition from lower energy levels to higher energy levels.
4. [T or F] When an atom experiences radioactive decay, energy is released that can warm
up the material undergoing decay.
5. [T or F] The planets in the Solar System all orbit the Sun in the same direction.
6. [T or F] Venus is closer to the Sun than Earth, so Kepler’s Third Law can be used to
explain why Venus’ year is shorter than Earth’s year
7. [T or F] Solar eclipses occur during the New Moon phase.
8. [T or F] The rotation of the Earth makes it more difficult for hot air from the equator to
travel directly north or south towards the poles.
9. [T or F] In terms of the proportions of various gases, the atmosphere of Mars is more
similar to the atmosphere of Earth than to the atmosphere of Venus.
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Multiple Choice Questions (circle your answers)
10.[4 pts] For the rocky Solar System planets, as you move higher through the atmosphere:
a. Pressure and temperature decrease
b. Pressure and temperature increase
c. Temperature decreases but pressure may decrease or increase
d. Pressure decreases but temperature may decrease or increase
e. Both pressure and temperature may decrease or increase
11. [4 pts] If the semimajor axis of the Moon’s orbit around the Earth doubled (i.e., the Moon
was moved to twice as far away), which of the following statements would be true?
a. Most solar eclipses would be total solar eclipses.
b. The full Moon would span 0.5 degrees in the sky as viewed from Earth.
c. The strength of the gravitational force between the Earth and the Moon would be
only 25% of the current strength.
d. All of the above
e. None of the above
12.[4 pts] Two students from The Planets are ice skating. Student A is standing still when
Student B accidentally collides with her. After the collision, the two students travel
together at a speed of 2 km/s. Ignoring friction and assuming that the two students have
the same mass, how quickly was Student B traveling when she collided with Student A?
a. 1 km/s
b. 2 km/s
c. 4 km/s
d. 6 km/s
e. None of the above
13.[4 pts] Which is NOT found in the nucleus of an atom?
a. Proton
b. Electron
c. Neutron
d. All of the particles listed above are found in the nucleus of an atom.
14.[4 pts] Meteorites found on Earth originate from
a. Asteroids, Moon and Mars
b. Moon and Mars only
c. Mars only
d. Asteroids only
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Short Answer Questions
15. [5 pts] In your own words, explain the difference between climate and weather. Your
answer should be no longer than two sentences.
16. [9 pts] In 2-3 sentences, describe how spacecraft observations of impact-crater density
(the number of craters per unit area) can be used to date different parts of the Moon’s
surface, making sure to mention and define both saturation and radiometric dating.
17. [16 pts] Use three or fewer sentences to state the age of the Solar System and how we
know this number. Be sure to mention i) what method(s) determines the age; ii) what
material(s) are dated in this manner; and iii) why we think these materials are relevant.
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18. [12 pts] In no more than three sentences, describe the Greenhouse effect, being sure to
mention the 3 most important greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere, an example of a
runaway greenhouse and in what ways the greenhouse effect has been good for us on
Earth but is now becoming a threat.
19.[10 pts] Atmospheric Circulation
a. [5 pts] If a cloud in Earth’s Northern Hemisphere is pushed by a wind blowing
toward the North, in which way will the cloud tend to move relative to the land
surface below, and why? (i.e., will the cloud continue heading straight North, turn
to the East, or turn to the West? Why?) Hint: You may find it helpful to draw a
sketch.
b. [5 pts] If the Earth rotated twice as quickly so that one day lasted 12 hours instead
of 24 hours, how would the cloud move? Is this different from your answer to part
a? Why or why not?
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20. [10 pts] What is currently the best explanation for how and when Earth’s Moon formed?
Your answer should be no longer than three sentences and include at least one piece of
evidence supporting this explanation.
Extra Credit
21.[3 pts] In 2-3 sentences, describe the formation of the solar system. Be sure to discuss
gravity and angular momentum.
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