Unit 6
Unit 6
EXPLORATION
Structure
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Objectives
6.1 INTRODUCTION
Whenever we look at the sky on a dark night we can see a cluster of stars. Out of these
stars some are very bright and large in size while some are very dull and small. Some
stars form groups with certain recognizable shapes.
You can might have observed some stars always at fixed positions but some stars like
objects keep on changing their positions these are called planets. Scientists all over the
world study these various characteristics of stars by using telescopes, spectroscopes,
spectrograph, radio, telescopes and satellites.
One should have experience of this field, to understand the relative motion of heavenly
bodies in the sky. However, you can see the sky at night to get first hand experience of
movement of stars, planets and constellations. In order to understand the movements of
'Phases of Moon', a simple model can be prepared. Artificial satellites have been used
effectively to know about the heavenly bodies. The advancement in space voyage has
opened a new dimension of activities to study the universe. We hope that exploration of
inter- sateller space through man-made space vehicles would help in obtaining more and
more knowledge about universe. In this unit, you will get some idea of nebula, galaxies,
inter galatic space, satellar evolution and origin of universe.
Further, present unit, -will arouse curiosity for further study of this challenging field,
I especially, in view of the fact, that the understanding of the structure and origin is some
30 what baffling as per the latest data.
Universe and Space
I 6.2 OBJECTIVES Exploration
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1 After going through this unit, you will be able to:
identify different components of the universe;
classify heavenly bodies into differentcategories;
explain different theories of origin of universe;
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design self-assessment questions and activities based on our 'universe and earth
system';
develop manipulative skills and innovative skills to teach this particular topic;
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possess detailed knowledge about solar system and motion of planets;
familiar with the origin of stars and energy generation in stars;
+ m i b e the mechanism of launching a satellite; and
understand about the importance of artificial satellite.
i The universe is expanding in all directions. This fact is supported by Doppler's red
shift.
Teaching-Learning Process
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I The teacher /an give brief history of the universe
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15-20 billion years ago, the whole universe was concentrated at a point in space. Due to
a tremendous cosmological explosion, different fragments were formed which are still
moving away from each other. Our universe consists of billions of galaxies and each
galaxy consists of thousand billions of stars. On the large distance scales of lo8-lo9 light
years, distribution of the galaxies seem to be quite uniform.
Various theories have been put forward to explain to origin of the universe.
The Big Bang Theory: According to this theory the whole universe originated from a
single point due to cosmological explosion as a result various components of the universe
were produced. A model can be shown in the class to give the idea to expanding
universe. Dots or points painted on the surface of an expanding balloon can depict a
picture of the expanding universe.
rn
Deflated balloon
3 A A A
inflated hlloon
Fig. 6.1
Hubble observed and photographed the galaxies outside the Milky Way and proved that
galaxies are moving away from one another. This view is also supported by astronomers
Teaching ~~~~~i~~ of recording the frequencies of the light coming from Inany galaxies they found that these
Concepts in Science frequencies to be less then those expected and shifted towards red light. This is known
has the red shift. The reason for this shift is the Doppler effect. It states that decrease in
the frequency of wave received by an observer i.e. Earth, is caused by the motion of the
source i.e. galaxy, away from the observer. Thus, the Doppler red shift also proves that
universe is expanding. Fig. 6.2 diagramnlatically illustrated the situation the speed ofthe
galaxies increases as their distance increases from our Earth.
Quasars are very small star like outernlost objects of the universe and are moving away
with 90% the velocity of light. These are cosmic source of light and radio waves. Their
existence also supports the Big Bang Theory.
Pulsating Theory: At present the galaxies are moving away but they also experience
cumulative gravitational force. If the mass-energy content is above a critical value; the
galaxies will slow down under the influence ofthe gravitational force. After sometime the
galaxies will start moviiig toward each other and will be again start concentrating at a
point. Again, the cosmological explosion will occur and universe will be created again.
According to some Astronomers, this process will repeat again and again. This theory is
called Pulsating Theory.
The Steady State Theory: Some part of tlle observation of the sky revealed that the
density of the universe appears to be constant. We are living in a homogeneous universe
in which all points are alike. According to this theory new galaxies are formed in the
empty space created due to the outward motion of the galaxies. It follows that for the
density to remain constant new matter must be created at the same rate at which the
expansion would decrease the density.
By and large, the evidences available are in favour of Big Bang theory.
Methodology used: In this chapter the field study-cum-enquiry method is used. Visit to
planetarium will enable you to make the students to gain better knowledge of related
concepts Big Bang theory is explained by the demonstration shown in Fig. 6.1.
Teaching aids: Charts, trarisparencies and films and opaque projection.
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1 4) What is a galaxy?
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5) How many galaxies are there in the Universe?
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6) What is the appropriate mass of the Universe?
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Teaching Learning of The distance can be scaned by Radio telescope up to l o i 0light year. The inter-galactic
Concepts in Science distances have a magnitude of millions of light years. The distance of various galaxies
are given in Fig. 6.2.
Hubble measured the velocities of stars at different distances which is indicated in the
following Fig. 6.3.
Fig. 6.3 clearly indicated that the more the galaxy's distance from earth, the faster it's
moving away from the earth.
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12) What is the order of distance of the nest star nearest to us than the sun?
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13) What is one par-sec?
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14) Explain the reason for expressing the distance between heavenly bodies in
terms of light years.
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ii) Our Earth is an active planet. Several phenomena are occurring within and on the
surface.of earth and in the atmosphere.
iii) The earth is organized into different layers by the process called differelitiatioli
(under influences of gravity).
SINKING COOL
C1 iR1lENT
RISING
WARM
CURRENT
~ Fig. 6.4,
The crust and the mantle together contain all mineral deposits. The core is extremely hot
with a temperature of 4000°C and also very high pressure (3.7x107)Nm. Metals are
present in molten state in this layer. Due to the extreme heat in the core, convention
current arise in the mantle carrying heat from interior to the surface causing volcanic
eruptions and earthquakes.
The gases and water vapours which were trapped in the ~noleculesof primitive material
are liberated with the eruption of volcano to form the atmosphere and oceans during the
process of differentiation. The teacher can explain the evolution of life on earth by preparing
a chart showing its development on the earth. HeIShe must also explain of spheres of the
earth system i.e. the lithosphere, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere. Biosphere and their
important aspects such as interrelationships among the four spheres, and biogeochemical
cycles occurring in between the different spheres and the maintenance of balance and
also effects of disturbance in the inter-relationships of the four spheres.
The continents of the earth seem to be the scattered pieces of a single continent called
pangea. The following figures show the changing organization of the continents.
Pangaea
Fig. 6.5: Pangaea 200 million years ago.
180 million years ago: The original Pangaea landmass had split into two major continental
groups. The southern group, Gondwana-land, had itself started breaking up. India and
Antarctica. Australia becomes isolated. A rift had begun to appear between South
America and Africa and in the East, Africa was closing up the Tethys Sea
135 million years ago. Both Gondwana land and Laurasia continued to drift northwards
but the widening of the splits in the North Atlantic and Indian Oceans persisted. The
South Atlantic rift continues to lengthen and a further perpendicular rift appeared which
wi I1 eventually separate Greenland from North America. India continues heading northward
towards Asia.
65 million years ago. South America, completely separated from Africa, moved.quickly
to north and westwards. Madagascar broke free, But for Africa there is no sign of the
Red Sea rift which will split Africa from the Arabian Peninsula. The Mediterranean sea
is recognizable. In the south, Australia is still connected to Antarctica.
'leaching Learning of
Concepts in Scic~lcc
Present earth: India has moved northwards and is colliding with Asia, crumpling up the
sediments to form the folded mountain range of the Himalayas -South America has
rotated and moved west to connect with North America. Australia has also separated
from Antarctica.
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Universe and Space
17) What are planetesimals? Exploration
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18) What is the process of differentiation?
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i) Minerals, coal and oil are natural resources from which man prepare tools, machines
and commodities for his daily life.
ii) Minerals, oil and coal are the collection of useful materials buried under the upper
surface of the earth.
iii) Coal and oil were formed under pressure and temperature from the biomass.
Teaching-Learning Process
Most of the minerals are contained in the lithosphere are large reservoir of resources
useful to man. The minerals of the lithosphere provide the basic material from which Inan
prepares tools, machines and various other commodities for his daily life. The lithosphere
is also the repository of fuels-coal, oil and gas without which civilisation would not have
been possible. Look at the figure 6.7 showing the minerals deposit in the earth.
i) Solar system is a small component of Milky Way galaxy. It consists of nine planets,
asteroids, comets which revolve around the sun.
NEPTUNE 4529 24.30 17.20 1.76 1.19 164 years H,, HO,
- CH,,, He 2
You can discuss the properties of different members of Solar System with the help of the
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above table.
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25) Why does moon have craters?
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26) What are meteorites? Why are they visible?
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27) Which planet has maximum mass?
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Universeand Space
28) Distinguish between meteor and meteorite? Exploration
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Main Concepts
ii) Two types of forces (strong and weak) play important role in evolution, life and
death of a star.
iii) Black holes attack all kinds of matter and radiations towards it.
iv) Stars are not permanent, they have a evolutionary process of birth and death, which
takes, thousands of years.
Teaching-Learning Process
Stars are self-luminousobjects. Energy is released in stars is a result of Thermo-nuclear
fusion. The energy in most of the stars, is either released by hydrogen getting converted
into Helium or in some stars energy by the fusion of Helium atom only. The total energy
radiated by a star is called its luminosity. The central temperature of stars varies from 10
to 30 million degrees. Teacher can explain the formation of star and its final stages
with the help of following diagrams using charts/transparencies/opaque projection.
The life history of a star can be depicted by the following flow charts:
1. Contraction, due to gravitational force of hydrogen and helium gas at about 173°C.
5. After millions ofyears of nuclear hsion, the core shrinksdue to stoppages of reactions
and other shell expands forming the Red Giant Stage.
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Teaching Learning of '.
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A star having mass equal to
+ +
A star 30-50 times A star 10 times the mass
Concepts in Science
or less than the sun loses the mass of sun of sun continues to
shell, and thecorecondenses u n d e r " e 0 e s contract further Fusion of
to form heavier nuclei with unc0n t r0I I ed carbon and helium lead to
large amount of light energy. contractioncausing a release of lot of energy
This is the white dwarf. very dense point causing the shell t o
3 He --) ':c + Energy. mass, which can explode- (Supernova)
even absorb 1 ight The core contracts further
completely, thus tofomave~denselum~
called black hole. called neutron star-
PROTOSTAR
Temperature inside the Core is - 263°C Temperature inside the Core is about 100°C
Fig. 6.8 (a) Fig. 6.8 (b)
.- - .oroduced
Force
due to Internal prcssurc
acting outwards
Gravitational force
@ shrinks
cOE
Outer shell
a-
Star
~ a v ~ mass
ng = Expanding White Dwarf
soiar mass outer shell Red
giant
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30) How is dwarf star formed?
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3 1) What is a black hole?
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32) What is supernova explosion?
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Main Concepts
Fig. 6.9 : Spiral galaxy. Fig. 6.10 : Irregular galaxy. Fig. 6.11: Elliptical galaxy.
Radio Galaxies: These galaxies emit million times more radiation than normal galaxies.
Milky Way: Our Galaxy is Milky Way (normal galaxy) which is a spiral galaxy. Its
length is 100, 000 light years. Its mass is 3 x lo4' Kg. The Milky Way rotates about its
center. It contains about lo1' stars. Which move in an orbit with its own speed. The
galaxy nearest to the Milky Way is Andromeda Galaxy.
SPIRAL ARM OF
C = Galactic Centre,
. S = Represents the position of the Sun
Fig. 6.12. Milky way: Transverse view. Fig. 6.13: Milky way: Aerial view.
The distribution of galaxies in the universe is not uniform. All the galaxies are moving
away from one another with a speed that increases as the distance between them increases.
The fact is supported by the Doppler's Red Shift of the galaxies.
Methodology used: i) Explanation method
ii) Group discussions
This unit can taught by explanation method and lesson can developed with the help of
students. The film show if possible can be arranged.
Teaching aids: Charts, transparencies, opaque projection, and films.
Check Your Progress
Notes: a) Write your answers in the space given below.
b) Compare your answers with those given at the end of the unit.
34) Whatis a Galaxy?
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Universe and Space
35) Differentiate between radio & normal galaxy? Exploration
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JUPITER
Fie. 6.14 37
Teaching Learning of Table 6.2
Concepts in Science
Name of space mission I Date of its Remarks
associated country
1. Sputnik -I (USSR, now Russia)
I launching
Oct. 4, 1957 First ever artificial satellite
launched in space.
5. Vostok-I (USSR, now Russia) April 12, 1961 First space flight by a man
(Yuri Gagarin).
14. Soyuz -4 (USSR, now Russia) I Jan. 14,1969 First experimental space
Table 6.3
SL No. Name of satellite Date of Name of the country
launching which launched it
40. A belt of charged particles trapped within earth's magnetic field. i) from 2400 km
to 5600km, ii) from 1300 km to 1900km.