Possible Essay Questions for the Final Exam

One of the following three questions will be part of your final exam, worth 25% of the point total. These questions address some of the most important and fundamental aspects of this course. The answers to the questions are based on combining concepts learned throughout the term. Your answers should be clear, well-thought-out, complete, and concise. They sould be written in essay form (no bullets or list of answers to parts). Preparing to answer these questions will also prepare you for other questions on the exam.

You may use whatever method you wish to learn the answers to these questions: you may talk with anyone else you wish, you may research them in any book, and you may even ask me or another professor about these questions. However, I will not proofread a draft answer.

1. Discuss how astronomers search for planetary systems around other stars and what results have been found to date. Be sure to specifically address:
    a.) the observational methods (at least 3) used to search for planets around other stars,
    b.) how the detected planetary systems differ from the Solar System,
    c.) how the observational methods which have successfully detected planets are likely to be biased and how this affects what has been observed,
    d.) the ongoing search for Earth-like planets (e.g., most effective search methods)
    e.) how the extrasolar planet results have influenced our understanding of planet formation.

2. Planets and moons in the solar system are different in terms of geologic activity, composition, interior structure, magnetic field, and atmospheres. Explain briefly how we can deduce each of these properties and summarize the range in each property that we see in the Solar System. Identify the most important physical factors influencing each of these properties of a body, i.e., the physical characteristics and/or differences related to the formation history of the solar system that are most important in determining the property.

3. Discuss the role of gravity in the formation, structure, and evolution of stars and their planetary systems. Be sure to address the following questions:
    a.) Why do planets orbit a star rather than falling into the star? Explain using your understanding of gravity and Newton's laws.
    b.) What role does gravity play in the formation of stars and planets? On the present distribution of small bodies in the solar system?
    c.) What are tidal forces and orbital resonances? How do they explain phenomena such as planetary rings, gaps in rings and the asteroid belt, jovian satellite geologic activity, and (possibly) the origin of the Oort Cloud?
 

Last updated: June 5, 2013