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12 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
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Why is the sky blue? |
Because of the selective scattering (Rayleigh scattering) of the shorter, bluer wavelengths of sunlight by gas molecules in the atmosphere. |
Rayleigh scattering |
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Describe the key features that distinguish the Earth from other planets in the solar system. |
Its atmosphere of mainly oxygen and nitrogen, liquid water (covering about 70% of its surface), life in all it's diverse forms. |
Goldilocks zone |
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State the major causes of light pollution. |
Commercial and sports floodlights, urban streetlights and motorway lights, domestic and industrial security lamps, lights above car parks and shopping centres. |
Man made lights. |
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Describe the benefits of the earths atmosphere to human kind. |
It absorbs harmful solar UV, X-Ray and gamma radiation; it regulates temperature so we rarely experience 'extremes'; it provides us with oxygen; it partially protects us from meteoroids. |
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Describe the benefits of the earths atmosphere to human kind. |
It absorbs harmful solar UV, X-Ray and gamma radiation; it regulates temperature so we rarely experience 'extremes'; it provides us with oxygen; it partially protects us from meteoroids. |
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State the shape and diameter of the Earth. |
Average diameter of 13,000km slightly flattened at the poles (by 42km) making it an oblate spheroid. |
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Describe the evidence that the earth is approximately spherical. |
Ships 'disappear' over the horizon, satellites orbit the earth, the curvature of the earths shadow during a partial lunar eclipse, aircraft fly in arcs rather than straight lines, images of earth from space. |
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Describe the evidence that the earth is approximately spherical. |
Ships 'disappear' over the horizon, satellites orbit the earth, the curvature of the earths shadow during a partial lunar eclipse, aircraft fly in arcs rather than straight lines, images of earth from space. |
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State the rotation period of the earth and the time to rotate through 1 degree. |
Rotation period is 23.934hrs ( 23 h 56min 4.1sec), time to rotate through 1 degree is 4 mins. |
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Describe the evidence that the earth is approximately spherical. |
Ships 'disappear' over the horizon, satellites orbit the earth, the curvature of the earths shadow during a partial lunar eclipse, aircraft fly in arcs rather than straight lines, images of earth from space. |
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State the rotation period of the earth and the time to rotate through 1 degree. |
Rotation period is 23.934hrs ( 23 h 56min 4.1sec), time to rotate through 1 degree is 4 mins. |
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Define the terms: equator, tropic. |
Equator- the circle around the earth at an equal distance from either poles. Tropic of Cancer- line of latitude of 23.5N; Tropic of Capricorn- line of latitude of 23.5S. |
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