Physics 9 The Solar System with Prof. D. Tytler Oct. 2000

 

Homework 3, due Oct 19 in class

 

We encourage you to work together, to discuss the topics and solutions, but your answers must use all of your own words, calculations and diagrams.

 

You must not hand in work copied from someone else.

Please write down the code numbers of all in your study group.

 

The first question encourages you to think out an experiment. The others are revision.

 

  1. Describe how you would measure the density of your body. It is hard to get your volume. One way is to use a bath tub full of water. Describe how this method, or some other method, works, what measurements are made, and how they are converted into a density. What value would you guess for the answer?
  2. Which types of meteorite are primitive and which are differentiated?
  3. Draw a diagram illustrating the phases for a moon of Saturn (any one – they will be the same). You may wish to give two diagrams, one showing the view from far above the orbit, and the other, the phases seen from Saturn. The goal of this question is revision of the concept of phases.
  4. Why are eclipses not seen each month? The goal is revision of an important spatial concept.
  5. Explain, with words and show with a figure, the difference between the 3 major types of spectrum. Give for each a specific example (not writing just "gas"…). The goal of this problem is to practice extracting information from the book, and noticing the physical distinction between three relatively similar ideas.
  6. Describe the three main types of rock found on the Earth.
  7. What is the difference between a rock and a mineral?
  8. Kepler and Newton each contributed 3 laws to science. Name (enough to identify each, more than just the number, but no need for details) all

    9. six. Why are Newton’s deemed so much more important? The goal of this problem is

    both memorization (learn these laws), and practice making value judgements.

  9. Explain retrograde motion. Include 3 drawings:
  1. how it appears from Earth
  2. how it was explained in the geocentric model
  3. how it is explained in the heliocentric model.

The goal of this problem is to practice making sketches which help explain phenomena. Notice how there are many ways to make a sketch, depending on what you are trying to show, and where you are located.