Unit FOUR Space

A) Choose TWO out of the following FOUR

questions (4 marks a piece (4X2 = 8))
1)
Compare the composition and physical
characteristics of the sun and moon within the
solar system
Varies
Sun:
composition - 75% hydrogen, 25% helium
physical characteristics in heart of solar system
Moon:
composition - 43% oxygen, 20% silicon
physical characteristics sunlight reflects off the surface

2)
Compare the composition and physical
characteristics of comets and asteroids
Varies
Comets: composition - made up of rock, dust, water, ice
physical characteristics has a solid core
Asteroids:composition - can be made of iron or stone
physical characteristics small airless, rocky worlds

3)
Describe sunspots and solar radiation AND
the effect they have on the Earth.
Varies
Sunspots:
Definition: harbingers of magnetic activity on the sun
which can accelerate particles near the sun to high energies and eject them
Effect on Earth: interfere with terrestrial plasma environment
causing magnetic sub-storms, auroral activity and influence
telecommunications or power grids
Solar radiation:Definition: radiant energy emitted by the sun from a
nuclear fusion reaction that creates electromagnetic energy.
Effect on Earth: the radiation at the Earths surface varies widely
due to atmospheric effects (water, vapour, clouds, pollution)

4)
Describe distinguishing physical
characteristics of the following: Stars,
Quasars, Black Holes, Nebulae
Varies

Stars: a fixed luminous point in the night sky that is a large, remote
incandescent body like the sun.
Quasars: a massive and extremely remote celestial object, emitting
exceptionally large amounts of energy, and typically having a starlike image
in a telescope.
Black Holes: a region of space having a gravitational field so intense that
no matter or radiation can escape.
Nebulae: a cloud of gas and dust in outer space, visible in the night sky
either as an indistinct bright patch or as a dark silhouette against other
luminous matter.

B)

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING question (4 marks)

Name a scientific theory that describes the

FORMATION of the solar system, give a description.
VARIES Some theories you can describe are as follows:

Laplace's nebula theory (1796)

Schmidt-Lyttleton accretion theory (1944)
Proto-planet Theory
Capture Theory
The Solar Nebula Theory
The Modern Laplacian Theory

REMEMBER to DESCRIBE the formation of the solar system

C) Choose ONE out of the following TWO

questions (4 marks a piece (4X1=4))
1)
Describe First Nations and/or Metis
perspectives on the origin of the solar system
and the universe.
Varies

Many oral traditions and historical accounts document the cosmologies of

First Nations and Mtis peoples. Some archaeological sites are believed to
have been created in order to symbolize interpretations of this cosmology or
to mark important events. The phases of the moon would have been followed
in order to mark important planting or picking stages. An important
relationship was and is understood between the phases of the moon and the
phases of a females cycle. Marking the seasons would have also been
essential to understanding growing cycles of plants and reproduction and
migration cycles of animals. Travel would have been made possible through
navigating the stars and other objects in the sky

2)
Explain the importance many individuals
and cultures place or have placed on the
summer and winter solstices and vernal and
autumnal equinoxes.
Varies

D) Choose TWO out of the following FOUR

questions (4 marks a piece (4X2 = 8))
1) Identify 2 potential physical and 2 potential
psychological barriers to exploring and/or living
in the universe beyond the inner solar system.
Varies
Physical

- effects on body in space (no gravity, etc)

-food eaten in space (getting enough nutrients)

Psychological - around the same people all the time and dealing with
arguments in small space
-depression and mental illness could be increased during more
time alone in own thoughts (lack of diet could contribute to this
psychological barrier)

2)
What are some economic and societal
benefits of space exploration?
Varies
Economic -Kennedy space centre and tourism help to benefit space
program through donations and admission
-plans for sending human beings into space would benefit a
country economically but right now the physical and psychological barriers
seem to be too overwhelming for this benefit to exist
Societal benefits we get to know the world that exists outside of our
planet
-if we do develop large enough spaceships to travel in space we
could create our own new societies throughout the universe

3)
Explain 2 space science careers in Canada
(e.g., astronauts, astrophysicists, materials
technologists, pilots, and computer
programmers).
Varies
Astronauts - An astronaut is a person trained to pilot a spacecraft, travel in
a spacecraft or work in space.
Astrophysicists - Astrophysicists see stars on the job every day.
Astrophysicists, also known as astronomers, study and interpret astronomical
phenomena to increase knowledge of how the universe works.

4)
What are some possible positive and
negative consequences of the potential
military use of space exploration
Positive consequences being the first country to be somewhere may
increase competition and funding for space program

Military will help fund space exploration which creates more

jobs for people

Negative consequences being the first country to be somewhere may

increase competition and create anger and resentment between countries.
-

Military will help fund space exploration which takes a lot of

funding but does not produce much income at this time. So
countries could be taking a loss when it comes to their space
programs.