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Universe History Problem Set 1

This document outlines the first problem set for a course on the history of the universe, due on February 1, 2024. It includes instructions for collaboration, a series of short answer questions involving scientific notation, and exercises related to sky motions from different geographical locations. Additionally, it discusses the heliocentric perspective of the Earth-Sun system and the timing of star visibility throughout the year.

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Ava Cheung
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
7 views4 pages

Universe History Problem Set 1

This document outlines the first problem set for a course on the history of the universe, due on February 1, 2024. It includes instructions for collaboration, a series of short answer questions involving scientific notation, and exercises related to sky motions from different geographical locations. Additionally, it discusses the heliocentric perspective of the Earth-Sun system and the timing of star visibility throughout the year.

Uploaded by

Ava Cheung
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

History of the Universe

Problem Set 1 - Short Answer Questions

Due: Feb 1, 2024 in class

Written homework in this class is intended as a learning tool. Collaboration with peers
while working on this assignment is encouraged - in fact, collaborative assignments
produced by two people are allowed for full credit. You can ask Statia for help too! Please,
though, don’t copy from someone else or have AI do your homework – this would
constitute academic dishonesty and defeat the purpose of the assignment, which is to help
you practice the skills you’ll need for exams. And do show all your work. You will need to
use a calculator to complete this assignment.

1. Scientific Notation for Big and Small Numbers


a. Fill in the table below. The first row has been done for you.

Ordinary Decimal Notation Scientific Notation

13.2 1
1. 32 × 10
5
4. 37 × 10
437,000
0.00000375

1400.2
−2
3. 4 × 10
0.034
b. Calculate the following, giving your answers in scientific notation:
−5 17
i. (6 × 10 ) × (5 × 10 )

ii.
0
30 101
12
(8. 2 × 10 )÷(2. 0 × 10 )
4

8 4
4.141014W
12 11 122 14 iii. (2 × 104)3
23 8
43 12

1011
18
c. In science, we nearly always compare numbers by taking the ratio (that is,
dividing). This gives us a unitless number that tells us how many times larger (or
smaller) one number is than the other. When we compare with ratios, we have
some sense for relative size, even if the quantities we are comparing are
themselves intuitively large or small.

i. How much larger is 4.37105 than 0.00000375?


5
0 8 5
1162768.421
about 1,162768times larger
−2
ii. How much larger is 1400.2 than 3. 4 × 10 ?

3 1 2 41188.235
about 41,188timeslarger
2. Sky Motions
Recall that in the celestial sphere model, Earth is stationary and the stars are carried on a
sphere that rotates about an axis which points at the north star. This tool can help you to
visualize the motion of the sky:

[Link]

The left panel shows a stationary celestial sphere, with the earth rotating each day (“celestial
sphere view”). The right panel shows what that would look like for the observer on Earth
(“horizon diagram view”). Use this tool to help you answer the following questions.

a. Set your location to the north pole (90 degrees N; drag the white dot in the map in
the lower left). Add stars (with long star trails) and start the animation.
i. What is the elevation of the north star (Polaris)?

90 degrees zenith
ii. What pattern(s) do stars trace out?

horizontal lines

b. Now set your location to the equator (0 degrees N).


i. What is the elevation of the north star (Polaris)?

0 degrees horizon
ii. What pattern(s) do stars trace out?

straight paths slight curve


c. Finally, set your location to New York City (41 degrees N).
i. What is the elevation of the north star (Polaris)? Hint: try to infer the elevation
based on your answers to (a) and (b). Use the diagram to see if your answer
seems reasonable.

41 degrees
ii. What pattern(s) do stars trace out?

Diagonal lines likethis


iii. Sketch the horizon diagram view from NYC. Include the location and pattern
of motion of Polaris, one other star in the northern sky, and one star in the
southern sky.

tt L
n

E
The simulator we have been using in parts a-c does not include the Sun. The Sun moves
relative to the constellations throughout the year. Figure 1 below shows a Sun-centered, or
heliocentric, perspective view of the Earth-Sun system, indicating the direction of both the daily
rotation of Earth about its own axis and its annual orbit about the Sun. We can see that each
night, the constellations rise a bit earlier due to the Earth’s orbit around the Sun: for example,
one month after the time shown in Figure 1, Taurus will no longer be at its highest point at
midnight: it will already be setting at midnight.

Figure 2: A heliocentric perspective view of


the Earth-Sun system, indicating the direction
of both the daily rotation of Earth about its
own axis and its annual orbit about the Sun.
d. If we see the full cycle of constellations in a year by what amount of time does
a particular star rise or set earlier each night? Show all your work!

Time difference 24hours

0.06575 hours

0.0675 60m in 3.945minus

Approximately 3 945 minutes

so [Link]

Common questions

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Earth’s latitudinal position affects star motion perception, with Polaris' elevation equaling the observer's latitude and observable star paths varying from circular at poles to horizontal at the equator. Integrating this understanding into geography and astronomy curricula involves using planetarium software to simulate star patterns at different latitudes, fostering experiential learning. Curriculum designers could develop modules showing Earth's geometric relationship with the celestial sphere, enhancing comprehension of spatial celestial dynamics and Earth’s position in space .

The elevation of the North Star (Polaris) changes based on your latitude on Earth, indicating the observer's location relative to the Earth's axis. At the North Pole (90 degrees N), Polaris is directly overhead at the zenith (90 degrees). At the equator (0 degrees N), it's on the horizon (0 degrees). This change highlights that the apparent motion and position of celestial objects vary with geographical location, affecting how we observe stars and their patterns, such as horizontal lines at the equator or circular patterns around the pole .

Scientific collaboration enhances learning by facilitating the sharing of diverse ideas, problem-solving strategies, and perspectives, leading to a deeper understanding of complex concepts. In assignments, it allows students to learn from each other, develop critical thinking, and improve their communicative abilities. Collaboration strengthens key skills for exams, such as applying knowledge to novel situations and synthesizing information across multiple domains, helping students perform better under test conditions .

Including the Sun in celestial motion models is crucial because it is the central body in our solar system, influencing the apparent motion of stars and planets. The Sun's presence clarifies how Earth’s orbit causes the seasonal progression of constellations. Its exclusion from simulations leaves out key interactions, such as how the night sky changes with Earth's movement around the Sun, leading to incomplete understanding. It underscores Earth’s significant changes in relative position to the Sun and its impact on our celestial observations .

Scientific notation helps in understanding large and small numbers by providing a clearer representation using powers of ten, which simplifies comparison and calculation. For example, the ordinary decimal number 437,000 can be represented in scientific notation as 4.37 × 10^5. To calculate a multiplication using scientific notation, such as (6 × 10^−5) × (5 × 10^17), you multiply the coefficients (6 and 5) and add the exponents of ten, resulting in 30 × 10^12 or 3.0 × 10^13. This simplifies handling very large or small numbers .

Stars trace different patterns based on geographical location due to the observer's position relative to Earth's axis. At the North Pole, stars appear to trace circular patterns centered around Polaris. At the equator, stars appear to travel in horizontal lines across the sky. In New York City (41 degrees N), stars trace diagonal paths, reflecting the intermediate position between the poles and equator. These different patterns arise because the rotation of the Earth affects the observer's view of the celestial sphere, demonstrating the relationship between Earth’s geography and celestial observations .

Academic dishonesty facilitated by AI undermines the learning process, devaluing academic achievements and impeding skill development. Ensuring integrity involves promoting ethical guidelines, fostering a culture valuing honest effort, and incorporating AI in ways that enhance learning, such as personalized feedback and adaptive learning systems. Transparent policies and educator training on AI’s role in education are crucial. These steps help embrace AI's potential benefits responsibly, while preserving the value of educational credentials .

Constellations rise or set approximately 4 minutes earlier each night due to Earth's movement around the Sun. Calculating the change, we determine 4 minutes earlier each day accumulates to roughly 2 hours per month. For amateur astronomers, this means that over a year, a constellation will gradually shift through the night sky, eventually appearing at the opposite time of day. Understanding this temporal shift is crucial for planning observations and comprehending the annual motion of stars .

The heliocentric model, which places the Sun at the center, describes the Earth's rotation on its axis and its annual orbit around the Sun. This model explains why constellations appear to rise earlier each night; as Earth progresses in its orbit, the nighttime side faces different regions of space. Consequently, constellations like Taurus rise and set at different times throughout the year—appearing highest at midnight one month will shift to setting earlier the subsequent month. This shift highlights the dynamic interaction between Earth’s rotation, orbit, and position relative to the Sun .

The principle behind using ratios in scientific comparisons is to create a unitless number that indicates how many times larger or smaller one quantity is compared to another. This approach provides a sense of relative size, which is more intuitive than comparing large or vastly different absolute values. For example, a number 4.37 × 10^5 is about 116,276.8 times larger than 0.00000375, calculated by dividing these numbers in scientific notation. Such comparisons help in assessing proportional differences across a wide range of magnitudes .

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