Astro 120 Exam Preparation Notes

Exam Format

• Covers Chapters 16, 17, and 18
  • Chapter 16: The Sun
  • Chapter 17: Properties of Stars
  • Chapter 18: Interstellar Medium
• Format: Mostly free response and essay-style questions
• No multiple-choice questions
• Duration: Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes

Study Recommendations

• Review lecture materials and PowerPoints
• Complete and review homework assignments and solutions on Canvas
• Use review questions from the author Zylic to test understanding
• Focus on lectures and tutorials over just book reading

Chapter 16: The Sun

• Physical Properties: Distance, size, temperature, luminosity
• Energy Transport: Know the three major types
• Sun's Layers:
  • Interior: Core, radiative zone, convection zone
  • Atmospheric: Photosphere, chromosphere, corona
  • Solar wind and activity (sunspots, prominences, solar flares)
• Sunspot Cycle:
  • 11-year cycle (maximums)
  • 22-year cycle (magnetic polarity)
• Energy Production:
  • Nuclear fusion and the proton-proton chain
  • Neutrino detection
• Mathematical Tools:
  • Trigonometry for angular size and distance
  • Luminosity and flux equation
  • Veem's Law: Temperature determination for black bodies

Chapter 17: Properties of Stars

• Solar Neighborhood and Distances
  • Trigonometric parallax
  • Distance formula: Parsecs and arc seconds
• Color, Temperature, Flux, Luminosity
• Spectral Classification
  • Sequence: O, B, A, F, G, K, M
  • HR Diagram (Hertzsprung-Russell)
• Binary Star Systems:
  • Visual, spectroscopic, eclipsing binaries
  • Mass-luminosity relationship for main sequence stars
  • Equation: Luminosity compared to sun’s luminosity, mass raised to three and a half power

Chapter 18: Interstellar Medium (ISM)

• Components: Dust and gas
• Types of Gas:
  • Neutral hydrogen (H1)
  • Ionized hydrogen (H2)
  • Molecular hydrogen (H2)
• Detection Methods:
  • Dust: Reddening, extinction
  • Hydrogen detection: 21 cm line and emission nebulae
• Molecular Clouds
  • Giant molecular clouds (GMCs)
• Review tools:
  • Summary slide on components and detection methods

General Tips

• Begin reviewing materials and concepts now
• Use review questions available on Canvas
• Focus on understanding concepts and their interrelations

Conclusion

• Important to cover all major topics and understand the relationships between them
• Utilize all study resources effectively for exam preparation
• Best of luck with studying and the exam!