Astronomy 10, Spring Semester 2008
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Astronomy 10 learning goal Q7.5
Students were asked the following clicker question (Classroom Performance System, einstruction.com) in the middle of their learning cycle:
[0.3 points.] How did "extrasolar" giant planets in small, eccentric orbits form?
(A) They were formed very close to their stars, in eccentric orbits.
(B) They were formed very far from their stars, in circular orbits, but their orbits were disrupted by collisions with other protoplanets, and spiraled inwards.
(C) They were formed very far from their stars, in circular orbits, but they lost angular momentum to the protoplanetary disk, and spiraled inwards.
(D) They were produced by material ejected from a collision between two stars.
Correct answer: not revealed yet (see discussion below).
Student responses
Section 4160
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 20 students
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 1 student
Section 5166
(A) : 11 students
(B) : 8 students
(C) : 7 students
(D) : 6 students
The students in section 4160 chose impacts on protoplanets (response (B)) over the correct response (C) of (gradual) angular momentum redistribution, after a discussion earlier in the same lecture about angular momentum transfer from the young Sun to its nebular disk. This prompted a refresher on this same subject immediately afterwards.
In section 5166, after showing the lack of consensus in their replies, students were asked to discuss their responses with each other before responding again, with a moderate shift towards the correct answer.
Student responses
Section 5166
(A) : 8 students
(B) : 8 students
(C) : 13 students
(D) : 3 students
Correct answer: (C)
20080330
Bon mots: rotation
"I cannot believe that the inscrutable universe turns on an axis of suffering; surely the strange beauty of the world must somewhere rest on pure joy!"
--Louise Bogan
"Poetry uses the hub of a torque converter for a jello mold."
--Diane Glancy, as quoted in What Is Found There, Ch. 12, by Adrienne Rich (1993)
"The lazy manage to keep up with the earth’s rotation just as well as the industrious."
--Mason Cooley, City Aphorisms, Fifth Selection (1988)
"Let the wheel spin out,
Till all created things
With shout and answering shout
Cast off rememberings..."
--Philip Larkin, “All Catches Alight”
"Spin and die,
To live again as butterfly."
--Christina Georgina Rossetti, "The Caterpillar (Sing-Song)"
"Let the great world spin for ever down the ringing grooves of change."
--Alfred Tennyson, Locksley Hall (1842)
"Your work is to keep cranking the flywheel that turns the gears that spin the belt in the engine of belief that keeps you and your desk in midair."
--Annie Dillard, The Writing Life (1989)
--Louise Bogan
"Poetry uses the hub of a torque converter for a jello mold."
--Diane Glancy, as quoted in What Is Found There, Ch. 12, by Adrienne Rich (1993)
"The lazy manage to keep up with the earth’s rotation just as well as the industrious."
--Mason Cooley, City Aphorisms, Fifth Selection (1988)
"Let the wheel spin out,
Till all created things
With shout and answering shout
Cast off rememberings..."
--Philip Larkin, “All Catches Alight”
"Spin and die,
To live again as butterfly."
--Christina Georgina Rossetti, "The Caterpillar (Sing-Song)"
"Let the great world spin for ever down the ringing grooves of change."
--Alfred Tennyson, Locksley Hall (1842)
"Your work is to keep cranking the flywheel that turns the gears that spin the belt in the engine of belief that keeps you and your desk in midair."
--Annie Dillard, The Writing Life (1989)
20080323
Bon mots: mistakes
"Mistakes are the portals of discovery."
--James Joyce
"Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes."
--Oscar Wilde
"The one good thing about repeating your mistakes is that you know when to cringe."
--Doug Larson
"The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything."
--Edward John Phelps
"I've acquired quite a taste
For a well-made mistake,
I wanna make a mistake,
Why can't I make a mistake?"
--Fiona Apple, "A Mistake"
"An expert is a man who has made all the mistakes which can be made in a very narrow field."
--Niels Bohr
"As long as the world is turning and spinning, we're gonna be dizzy and we're gonna make mistakes."
--Mel Brooks
"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little."
--Edmund Burke
"Men are more apt to be mistaken in their generalizations than in their particular observations."
--Niccolo Machiavelli
--James Joyce
"Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes."
--Oscar Wilde
"The one good thing about repeating your mistakes is that you know when to cringe."
--Doug Larson
"The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything."
--Edward John Phelps
"I've acquired quite a taste
For a well-made mistake,
I wanna make a mistake,
Why can't I make a mistake?"
--Fiona Apple, "A Mistake"
"An expert is a man who has made all the mistakes which can be made in a very narrow field."
--Niels Bohr
"As long as the world is turning and spinning, we're gonna be dizzy and we're gonna make mistakes."
--Mel Brooks
"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little."
--Edmund Burke
"Men are more apt to be mistaken in their generalizations than in their particular observations."
--Niccolo Machiavelli
20080322
Bon mots: errors
"Truth comes out of error more easily than out of confusion."
--Francis Bacon
"The proper method for hastening the decay of error is...by teaching every man to think for himself."
--William Godwin
"Astrophysicists are often in error, but never in doubt."
--Lev Landau
"When you make one wrong turn, the errors tend to compound."
--Henry Roth
"A man's errors are his portals of discovery."
--James Joyce
"The road to wisdom? Well, it's plain and simple to express:
Err and err and err again but less and less and less."
--Piet Hein
--Francis Bacon
"The proper method for hastening the decay of error is...by teaching every man to think for himself."
--William Godwin
"Astrophysicists are often in error, but never in doubt."
--Lev Landau
"When you make one wrong turn, the errors tend to compound."
--Henry Roth
"A man's errors are his portals of discovery."
--James Joyce
"The road to wisdom? Well, it's plain and simple to express:
Err and err and err again but less and less and less."
--Piet Hein
20080319
Astronomy in-class activity: meteorite types and origins
Astronomy 10 In-class activity 13 v.07.07.05, Spring Semester 2008
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Astronomy 10 learning goal M2.1
Students find their assigned groups of three to four students, and work cooperatively on an in-class activity worksheet detailing the types and origins of meteorites. Students are instructed to look for connections and similarities, then to concentrate on specific differences. In-depth analysis questions on meteorite types and origins follow on the third page.
The answers for the second page are shown below.
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Astronomy 10 learning goal M2.1
Students find their assigned groups of three to four students, and work cooperatively on an in-class activity worksheet detailing the types and origins of meteorites. Students are instructed to look for connections and similarities, then to concentrate on specific differences. In-depth analysis questions on meteorite types and origins follow on the third page.
The answers for the second page are shown below.
20080318
Astronomy in-class activity: active satellites
Astronomy 10 In-class activity 12 v.06.02.28, Spring Semester 2008
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Astronomy 10 learning goal Q6.4
Students find their assigned groups of three to four students, and work cooperatively on an in-class activity worksheet comparing the active geo- or hydrological processes of Io, Europa, and Triton. Students are instructed to look for patterns and entries used more than once (e.g. "tidal heating"), then to concentrate on specific differences.
The answers for each satellite are shown below.
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Astronomy 10 learning goal Q6.4
Students find their assigned groups of three to four students, and work cooperatively on an in-class activity worksheet comparing the active geo- or hydrological processes of Io, Europa, and Triton. Students are instructed to look for patterns and entries used more than once (e.g. "tidal heating"), then to concentrate on specific differences.
The answers for each satellite are shown below.
20080317
Astronomy quiz question: Mars' atmosphere
Astronomy 10 Quiz 5, Spring Semester 2008
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Astronomy 10 learning goal Q5.5
[3.0 points.] Which one of the following choices best explains how carbon dioxide (CO_2) molecules caused the recent evolution of Mars to diverge from that of the Earth?
(A) CO_2 from the atmosphere was removed without being replaced, causing Mars' atmosphere to become thinner and colder.
(B) More CO_2 was released into the atmosphere than could be recycled, causing Mars' atmosphere to become thinner and colder.
(C) CO_2 was removed from the atmosphere without being replaced, causing Mars' atmosphere to become thicker and hotter.
(D) Too much CO_2 was released into the atmosphere, causing Mars' atmosphere to become thicker and hotter.
(E) More CO_2 was released into the atmosphere than could be recycled, causing Mars' atmosphere to become thicker and hotter.
Correct answer: (A).
Student responses
Section 5166
(A) : 30 students
(B) : 19 students
(C) : 2 students
(D) : 4 students
(E) : 5 students
Previous post: Astronomy in-class activity: geo-atmospheric cycles and histories
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Astronomy 10 learning goal Q5.5
[3.0 points.] Which one of the following choices best explains how carbon dioxide (CO_2) molecules caused the recent evolution of Mars to diverge from that of the Earth?
(A) CO_2 from the atmosphere was removed without being replaced, causing Mars' atmosphere to become thinner and colder.
(B) More CO_2 was released into the atmosphere than could be recycled, causing Mars' atmosphere to become thinner and colder.
(C) CO_2 was removed from the atmosphere without being replaced, causing Mars' atmosphere to become thicker and hotter.
(D) Too much CO_2 was released into the atmosphere, causing Mars' atmosphere to become thicker and hotter.
(E) More CO_2 was released into the atmosphere than could be recycled, causing Mars' atmosphere to become thicker and hotter.
Correct answer: (A).
Student responses
Section 5166
(A) : 30 students
(B) : 19 students
(C) : 2 students
(D) : 4 students
(E) : 5 students
Previous post: Astronomy in-class activity: geo-atmospheric cycles and histories
20080316
Bon mots: problem-solving
"If you don't make mistakes, you're not working on hard enough problems. And that's a big mistake."
--F. Wilczek
"Never work on a problem for which you do not have an unfair advantage."
(also)
"I don't see why you are talking about this problem when either of you is capable of sitting down and solving it."
--Hans Bethe
"The real problem is what to do with the problem solvers after the problems have been solved."
--Gay Talese
"I don't have any solution but I certainly admire the problem."
--Ashleigh Brilliant
"Your problem is never really your problem, your reaction to your problem is your problem."
--Brian Kinsey
"I don't understand complicated problems. I only understand simple ones."
--Richard Deupree
"For every problem there is a solution which is simple, clean and wrong."
--Henry Louis Mencken
"If you can talk brilliantly about a problem, it can create the consoling illusion that it has ben mastered."
--Stanley Kubrick
"The chief source of problems is solutions."
--Eric Sevareid (broadacst on CBS News, 12/29/70), as quoted in T. L. Martin, Malice in Blunderland (McGraw-Hill, 1973)
"When you suddenly see the problem, something happens--you have the answer before you are able to put it into words. It is all done subconsciously. THis has happened too many times to me, and I know when to take it seriously. I'm so absolutely sure. I don't talk about it, I don't have to tell anybody about it, I'm just sure this is it."
--Barbara McClintock
"Indecision may or may not be my problem."
--Jimmy Buffett
"If the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail."
--Abraham Maslow
"If the only tool you have for measuring value is a quarterly financial report or a price tag, then everything that is excluded from that report or that comes without a price tag begins to look like it has no value."
--Al Gore
"When there is no solution, there is no problem."
--James Burnham
"Every problem has in it the seeds of its own solution. If you don't have any problems you don't get any seeds."
--Norman Vincent Peale
"Inside every large problem is a small problem struggling to get out."
--C. A. R. Hoare (Hoare's Law of Large Programs)
"Idealism increases in direct proportion to one's distance from the problem."
--John Galsworthy
--F. Wilczek
"Never work on a problem for which you do not have an unfair advantage."
(also)
"I don't see why you are talking about this problem when either of you is capable of sitting down and solving it."
--Hans Bethe
"The real problem is what to do with the problem solvers after the problems have been solved."
--Gay Talese
"I don't have any solution but I certainly admire the problem."
--Ashleigh Brilliant
"Your problem is never really your problem, your reaction to your problem is your problem."
--Brian Kinsey
"I don't understand complicated problems. I only understand simple ones."
--Richard Deupree
"For every problem there is a solution which is simple, clean and wrong."
--Henry Louis Mencken
"If you can talk brilliantly about a problem, it can create the consoling illusion that it has ben mastered."
--Stanley Kubrick
"The chief source of problems is solutions."
--Eric Sevareid (broadacst on CBS News, 12/29/70), as quoted in T. L. Martin, Malice in Blunderland (McGraw-Hill, 1973)
"When you suddenly see the problem, something happens--you have the answer before you are able to put it into words. It is all done subconsciously. THis has happened too many times to me, and I know when to take it seriously. I'm so absolutely sure. I don't talk about it, I don't have to tell anybody about it, I'm just sure this is it."
--Barbara McClintock
"Indecision may or may not be my problem."
--Jimmy Buffett
"If the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail."
--Abraham Maslow
"If the only tool you have for measuring value is a quarterly financial report or a price tag, then everything that is excluded from that report or that comes without a price tag begins to look like it has no value."
--Al Gore
"When there is no solution, there is no problem."
--James Burnham
"Every problem has in it the seeds of its own solution. If you don't have any problems you don't get any seeds."
--Norman Vincent Peale
"Inside every large problem is a small problem struggling to get out."
--C. A. R. Hoare (Hoare's Law of Large Programs)
"Idealism increases in direct proportion to one's distance from the problem."
--John Galsworthy
20080315
Bon mots: work
"I like work: it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours."
--Jerome K. Jerome, Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog), 1889
"I don't want to be immortal through my work. I want to be immortal through not dying."
--Woody Allen
"It is the first of all problems for a man to find out what kind of work he is to do in this universe."
--Thomas Carlyle
"Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion."
--C. Northcote Parkinson, "Parkinson's Law," The Economist, 1955
"Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn't the work he's supposed to be doing at that moment."
--Robert Benchley
"You will know your enemies because they're the ones that interfere with the work."
--Bette Davis
"When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt."
--Henry J. Kaiser
"My life had such potential, she told me, before I found out how much work was involved."
--Brian Andreas, "Potential Energy"
"The world is full of willing people, some willing to work, the rest willing to let them."
--Robert Frost
--Jerome K. Jerome, Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog), 1889
"I don't want to be immortal through my work. I want to be immortal through not dying."
--Woody Allen
"It is the first of all problems for a man to find out what kind of work he is to do in this universe."
--Thomas Carlyle
"Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion."
--C. Northcote Parkinson, "Parkinson's Law," The Economist, 1955
"Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn't the work he's supposed to be doing at that moment."
--Robert Benchley
"You will know your enemies because they're the ones that interfere with the work."
--Bette Davis
"When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt."
--Henry J. Kaiser
"My life had such potential, she told me, before I found out how much work was involved."
--Brian Andreas, "Potential Energy"
"The world is full of willing people, some willing to work, the rest willing to let them."
--Robert Frost
20080314
Astronomy quiz question: Venus' atmosphere
Astronomy 10 Quiz 5, Spring Semester 2008
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Astronomy 10 learning goal Q5.5
[3.0 points.] Which one of the following choices best explains how carbon dioxide (CO_2) molecules caused the recent evolution of Venus atmosphere to diverge from that of the Earth?
(A) CO_2 from the atmosphere was removed without being replaced, causing Venus' atmosphere to become thinner and colder.
(B) More CO_2 was released into the atmosphere than could be recycled, causing Venus' atmosphere to become thinner and colder.
(C) CO_2 was removed from the atmosphere without being replaced, causing Venus' atmosphere to become thicker and hotter.
(D) Too much CO_2 was released into the atmosphere, causing Venus' atmosphere to become thicker and hotter.
(E) More CO_2 was released into the atmosphere than could be recycled, causing Venus' atmosphere to become thicker and hotter.
Correct answer: (E).
Student responses
Section 4160
(A) : 1 student
(B) : 3 students
(C) : 2 students
(D) : 11 students
(E) : 21 students
Previous post: Astronomy in-class activity: geo-atmospheric cycles and histories
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Astronomy 10 learning goal Q5.5
[3.0 points.] Which one of the following choices best explains how carbon dioxide (CO_2) molecules caused the recent evolution of Venus atmosphere to diverge from that of the Earth?
(A) CO_2 from the atmosphere was removed without being replaced, causing Venus' atmosphere to become thinner and colder.
(B) More CO_2 was released into the atmosphere than could be recycled, causing Venus' atmosphere to become thinner and colder.
(C) CO_2 was removed from the atmosphere without being replaced, causing Venus' atmosphere to become thicker and hotter.
(D) Too much CO_2 was released into the atmosphere, causing Venus' atmosphere to become thicker and hotter.
(E) More CO_2 was released into the atmosphere than could be recycled, causing Venus' atmosphere to become thicker and hotter.
Correct answer: (E).
Student responses
Section 4160
(A) : 1 student
(B) : 3 students
(C) : 2 students
(D) : 11 students
(E) : 21 students
Previous post: Astronomy in-class activity: geo-atmospheric cycles and histories
20080309
Bon mots: gravity
"I know this defies the law of gravity, but, you see, I never studied law."
--Bugs Bunny, High Diving Hare (Warner Brothers, 1948)
"We can lick gravity, but sometimes the paperwork is overwhelming."
--Wernher von Braun
"You may hate gravity, but gravity doesn't care."
--Clayton Christensen
"Gravity is a habit that is hard to shake off."
--Terry Pratchett, Small Gods (HarperTorch Publishers, 1994)
"It is a mathematical fact that the casting of this pebble from my hand alters the centre of gravity of the universe.
--Thomas Carlyle, Sartor Resartus: The Life and Opinions of Herr Teufelsdröckh, Book III, Chapter VII (1831)
"Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new center of gravity. Don't fight them. Just find a different way to stand."
Oprah Winfrey, O Magazine, October 2002
"Gravity is a contributing factor in nearly 73 percent of all accidents involving falling objects."
--Dave Barry
--Bugs Bunny, High Diving Hare (Warner Brothers, 1948)
"We can lick gravity, but sometimes the paperwork is overwhelming."
--Wernher von Braun
"You may hate gravity, but gravity doesn't care."
--Clayton Christensen
"Gravity is a habit that is hard to shake off."
--Terry Pratchett, Small Gods (HarperTorch Publishers, 1994)
"It is a mathematical fact that the casting of this pebble from my hand alters the centre of gravity of the universe.
--Thomas Carlyle, Sartor Resartus: The Life and Opinions of Herr Teufelsdröckh, Book III, Chapter VII (1831)
"Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new center of gravity. Don't fight them. Just find a different way to stand."
Oprah Winfrey, O Magazine, October 2002
"Gravity is a contributing factor in nearly 73 percent of all accidents involving falling objects."
--Dave Barry
20080308
Astronomy quiz question: carbon dioxide source
Astronomy 10 Quiz 4, Spring Semester 2008
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Astronomy 10 learning goal Q4.4
[3.0 points.] Which one of the following choices best describes the main source of carbon dioxide (CO_2) molecules in the Earth's atmosphere?
(A) Plant growth.
(B) Comets.
(C) Global warming produced by modern industry.
(D) Volcanos.
(E) Tectonic plate motion.
Correct answer: (D).
Volcanos are the main source of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Modern industry manages to take the carbon dioxide that was sequestered from the atmosphere by plants, and recycle it back into the atmosphere. Ultimately, oceans absorb and convert atmosphere carbon dioxide into sedimentary rock, which is then subducted into the mantle by tectonic plate motion.
Student responses
Section 5166
(A) : 9 students
(B) : 0 students
(C) : 11 students
(D) : 29 students
(E) : 7 students
Related post: Astronomy quiz question: carbon dioxide sink
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Astronomy 10 learning goal Q4.4
[3.0 points.] Which one of the following choices best describes the main source of carbon dioxide (CO_2) molecules in the Earth's atmosphere?
(A) Plant growth.
(B) Comets.
(C) Global warming produced by modern industry.
(D) Volcanos.
(E) Tectonic plate motion.
Correct answer: (D).
Volcanos are the main source of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Modern industry manages to take the carbon dioxide that was sequestered from the atmosphere by plants, and recycle it back into the atmosphere. Ultimately, oceans absorb and convert atmosphere carbon dioxide into sedimentary rock, which is then subducted into the mantle by tectonic plate motion.
Student responses
Section 5166
(A) : 9 students
(B) : 0 students
(C) : 11 students
(D) : 29 students
(E) : 7 students
Related post: Astronomy quiz question: carbon dioxide sink
20080307
Astronomy quiz question: carbon dioxide sink
Astronomy 10 Quiz 4, Spring Semester 2008
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Astronomy 10 learning goal Q4.4
[3.0 points.] Which one of the following choices best describes what prevents too much carbon dioxide (CO_2) molecules from building up in the Earth's atmosphere?
(A) Large amounts of dry ice produced for modern industry.
(B) Global warming produced by modern industry.
(C) Tectonic plate motion.
(D) Plant growth.
(E) Volcanos.
Correct answer: (C).
Oceans absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which then settles down and is incorporated into carbonaceous sedimentary rock. This sequestered carbon then is ultimately taken back down into the mantle at subduction trenches.
Student responses
Section 4160
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 0 students
(C) : 26 students
(D) : 6 students
(E) : 9 students
Related post: Astronomy quiz question: carbon dioxide source
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Astronomy 10 learning goal Q4.4
[3.0 points.] Which one of the following choices best describes what prevents too much carbon dioxide (CO_2) molecules from building up in the Earth's atmosphere?
(A) Large amounts of dry ice produced for modern industry.
(B) Global warming produced by modern industry.
(C) Tectonic plate motion.
(D) Plant growth.
(E) Volcanos.
Correct answer: (C).
Oceans absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which then settles down and is incorporated into carbonaceous sedimentary rock. This sequestered carbon then is ultimately taken back down into the mantle at subduction trenches.
Student responses
Section 4160
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 0 students
(C) : 26 students
(D) : 6 students
(E) : 9 students
Related post: Astronomy quiz question: carbon dioxide source
20080306
Astronomy quiz question: molecule escape from atmosphere (2)
Astronomy 10 Quiz 4, Spring Semester 2008
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Astronomy 10 learning goal Q4.1
[3.0 points.] Which one of the following statements best explains why atoms and molecules are able to escape from the exosphere, but would be unable to escape from the lower atmosphere of a planet?
(A) Atoms and molecules are more massive in the lower atmosphere.
(B) Atoms and molecules move faster in the lower atmosphere.
(C) Atoms and molecules are more likely to encounter collisions in the lower atmosphere.
(D) Atoms and molecules have a higher temperature in the lower atmosphere.
(E) (None of the above choices (A)-(D), as atoms and molecules are able to escape from the lower atmosphere of a planet.)
Correct answer: (C).
The average speed of a molecule/atom in the atmosphere depends on the mass of the molecule/atom, and on the temperature. If this speed is greater than approximately one-sixth of the escape velocity of a planet (which depends on the mass of the planet), then the atmosphere will eventually leak out over several billion years. However, molecules/atoms may only escape from the exosphere (the upper atmosphere); no matter how fast their average speed is in the lower level, frequent collisions there prevent escape into space. This is the "mosh pit effect"--you can't leave the mosh pit if you are in the middle of the moshers, but once you can make your way to the edge, escape is possible (provided you don't get pulled back in).
Student responses
Section 4160
(A) : 3 students
(B) : 1 student
(C) : 23 students
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 3 students
Previous post: Astronomy quiz question: molecule escape from atmosphere
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Astronomy 10 learning goal Q4.1
[3.0 points.] Which one of the following statements best explains why atoms and molecules are able to escape from the exosphere, but would be unable to escape from the lower atmosphere of a planet?
(A) Atoms and molecules are more massive in the lower atmosphere.
(B) Atoms and molecules move faster in the lower atmosphere.
(C) Atoms and molecules are more likely to encounter collisions in the lower atmosphere.
(D) Atoms and molecules have a higher temperature in the lower atmosphere.
(E) (None of the above choices (A)-(D), as atoms and molecules are able to escape from the lower atmosphere of a planet.)
Correct answer: (C).
The average speed of a molecule/atom in the atmosphere depends on the mass of the molecule/atom, and on the temperature. If this speed is greater than approximately one-sixth of the escape velocity of a planet (which depends on the mass of the planet), then the atmosphere will eventually leak out over several billion years. However, molecules/atoms may only escape from the exosphere (the upper atmosphere); no matter how fast their average speed is in the lower level, frequent collisions there prevent escape into space. This is the "mosh pit effect"--you can't leave the mosh pit if you are in the middle of the moshers, but once you can make your way to the edge, escape is possible (provided you don't get pulled back in).
Student responses
Section 4160
(A) : 3 students
(B) : 1 student
(C) : 23 students
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 3 students
Previous post: Astronomy quiz question: molecule escape from atmosphere
20080305
Astronomy clicker question: Moon feature age
Astronomy 10, Spring Semester 2008
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Astronomy 10 learning goal Q5.1
Students were asked the following clicker question (Classroom Performance System, einstruction.com) in the middle of their learning cycle:
[0.3 points.] List the following features on the Moon from oldest to youngest:
I. Craters partially filled in with flat lava plains.
II. Craters on top of flat lava plains.
III. Flat lava plains.
(A) I, III, II.
(B) III, I, II.
(C) II, I, III.
(D) III, II, I.
Correct answer: not revealed yet (see discussion below).
Student responses
Section 4160
(A) : 4 students
(B) : 10 students
(C) : 18 students
(D) : 2 students
Section 5166
(A) : 22 students
(B) : 9 students
(C) : 13 students
(D) : 9 students
After showing the lack of consensus in their replies, students were asked to discuss their responses with each other before responding again.
Student responses
Section 4160
(A) : 5 students
(B) : 9 students
(C) : 11 students
(D) : 9 students
Section 5166
(A) : 19 students
(B) : 9 students
(C) : 9 students
(D) : 18 students
Correct answer: (A)
It is easiest to start with the flat lava plains for comparison, which represent the lunar maria. The craters on top of the flat lava plains are newer than the maria, while the craters partially filled in with lava are older than the maria.
Students did not successfully attain the correct answer after conferring with each other. Note that response (D) gained the most from pre- to post-discussion, interestingly enough.
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Astronomy 10 learning goal Q5.1
Students were asked the following clicker question (Classroom Performance System, einstruction.com) in the middle of their learning cycle:
[0.3 points.] List the following features on the Moon from oldest to youngest:
I. Craters partially filled in with flat lava plains.
II. Craters on top of flat lava plains.
III. Flat lava plains.
(A) I, III, II.
(B) III, I, II.
(C) II, I, III.
(D) III, II, I.
Correct answer: not revealed yet (see discussion below).
Student responses
Section 4160
(A) : 4 students
(B) : 10 students
(C) : 18 students
(D) : 2 students
Section 5166
(A) : 22 students
(B) : 9 students
(C) : 13 students
(D) : 9 students
After showing the lack of consensus in their replies, students were asked to discuss their responses with each other before responding again.
Student responses
Section 4160
(A) : 5 students
(B) : 9 students
(C) : 11 students
(D) : 9 students
Section 5166
(A) : 19 students
(B) : 9 students
(C) : 9 students
(D) : 18 students
Correct answer: (A)
It is easiest to start with the flat lava plains for comparison, which represent the lunar maria. The craters on top of the flat lava plains are newer than the maria, while the craters partially filled in with lava are older than the maria.
Students did not successfully attain the correct answer after conferring with each other. Note that response (D) gained the most from pre- to post-discussion, interestingly enough.
20080304
Bowen Observatory Log
Bowen Observatory Log
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Observatory staff:
Dr. Patrick M. Len
Date: February 27, 2008
Time: 7:50-9:20 PM
Temperature: ???
Seeing: fair
Sights seen:
M42
M45
Saturn
M1
Double Cluster (Caldwell 14)
Owl Nebula
Visitors:
1. C.M.
2. E.N.
3. C.A.
4. Jeff Grover, Cuesta College faculty
5. Laurie McConnico, Cuesta College faculty
6. J.J.
7. A.B.
8. Daniel George, Central Coast Astronomical Society president
9. J.
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Observatory staff:
Dr. Patrick M. Len
Date: February 27, 2008
Time: 7:50-9:20 PM
Temperature: ???
Seeing: fair
Sights seen:
M42
M45
Saturn
M1
Double Cluster (Caldwell 14)
Owl Nebula
Visitors:
1. C.M.
2. E.N.
3. C.A.
4. Jeff Grover, Cuesta College faculty
5. Laurie McConnico, Cuesta College faculty
6. J.J.
7. A.B.
8. Daniel George, Central Coast Astronomical Society president
9. J.
20080303
Egocentrism vs. heliocentrism
"I Know You're Special. Now Give Me My Fries" by Jessica Hagyindexed.blogspot.com, March 5, 2007
It certainly does seem that way in the classroom, sometimes.
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