Topic 3 Earth and Universe Regents Review for Earth Science

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What is a white dwarf star?

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A white dwarf star is the late phase of a small mass star's evolutionary life, representing the remains of a larger star's explosion.

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How long ago did the Big Bang theory suggest the universe began?

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The Big Bang theory suggests that the universe began over 10 billion years ago.

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What evidence supports the Big Bang theory?

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Cosmic background radiation in space is the best evidence supporting the theory that the universe began with a massive explosion.

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What process generates most of the sun's radiant energy?

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Most of the radiant energy released by the sun results from nuclear fusion.

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What does a shift in spectral lines indicate about a star's movement?

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A shift in the spectral lines indicates that the star is moving away from Earth.

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What is nuclear fusion?

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Nuclear fusion is the process where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.

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What is cosmic background radiation?

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Cosmic background radiation is the afterglow radiation from the Big Bang, filling the universe and providing evidence for its origin.

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What is the life cycle of a star?

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The life cycle of a star includes stages such as formation, main sequence, red giant, and ultimately, white dwarf or supernova.

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What is the significance of the Doppler effect in astronomy?

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The Doppler effect helps astronomers determine whether a star or galaxy is moving toward or away from Earth based on the shift in its spectral lines.

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What is the main sequence phase of a star?

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The main sequence phase is the stable period in a star's life where it fuses hydrogen into helium in its core.