Physics 10293 - Spring 2018 Current Study Guide

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Questions from the lecture on Monday, April 23.

(150)
Describe briefly how each of the two main theories of planetary motion (geocentric and heliocentric) explain the pheonmenon of retrograde motion.

(151)
Describe the parallax method for determining stellar distances with the help of a simple diagram. What do we measure when we measure "parallax" and what do we deduce from these measurements?

(152)
Explain why in the heliocentric system, we expect stars to show evidence of parallax angles. How do supporters of a heliocentric model explain away the lack of observed parallax?

(153)
How do supporters of the geocentric model explain the lack of observed parallax angles?

(154)
Use the equation of angular size to explain why, in the heliocentric system, the actual sizes of stars were apparently enormously larger than the Sun, based on what we observed from Earth, which was an argument against the heliocentric theory.

(155)
Use diagrams to help explain how Galileo's observations of the planet Venus helped support the heliocentric model.

(156)
Explain the argument made by Galileo through observations of the moons of Jupiter that supported the heliocentric model.

(157)
Explain the contribution made by Kepler that finally encouraged scientists to accept the heliocentric model. How was Kepler able to check his model before publication and make sure his predictions would be so accurate?

(158)
Explain what Newton's law of universal gravitation is, how it explains planetary orbits ("Why does the apple fall but the Moon remains in the sky?").

(159)
How is Newton's view of gravity different from previous ideas about the way the universe works? Explain how it helped satisfy some of the earliest criticisms of the heliocentric model.