Astrophysics and Cosmology

Gravitational FieldsSign up

understand that a gravitational field (force field) is defined as a region where a mass experiences a force · understand that gravitational field strength is defined as g = F/m and be able to use this equation · be able to use the equation F = G m1 m2 / r^2 (Newton's law of universal gravitation) · be able to derive and use the equation g = Gm/r^2 for the gravitational field due to a point mass · be able to use the equation Vgrav = -Gm/r for a radial gravitational field · be able to compare electric fields with gravitational fields · be able to apply Newton's laws of motion and universal gravitation to orbital motion

Stars and Stellar RadiationSign up

understand what is meant by a black body radiator and be able to interpret radiation curves for such a radiator · be able to use the Stefan-Boltzmann law equation L = sigma A T^4 for black body radiators · be able to use Wien's law equation lambda_max T = 2.898 x 10^-3 m K for black body radiators · be able to use the equation, intensity I = L / (4 pi d^2) where L is luminosity and d is distance from the source · understand how astronomical distances can be determined using trigonometric parallax · understand how astronomical distances can be determined using measurements of intensity received from standard candles (objects of known luminosity) · be able to sketch and interpret a simple Hertzsprung-Russell diagram that relates stellar luminosity to surface temperature · understand how to relate the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram to the life cycle of stars

CosmologySign up

understand how the movement of a source of waves relative to an observer/detector gives rise to a shift in frequency (Doppler effect) · be able to use the equations for redshift z = lambda/lambda ≈ f/f ≈ v/c for a source of electromagnetic radiation moving relative to an observer and v = H0 d for objects at cosmological distances · understand the controversy over the age and ultimate fate of the universe associated with the value of the Hubble constant and the possible existence of dark matter.