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Unit 7: Astrophysics Page 13

Unit Description

Astrophysics combines our knowledge of light (electromagnetic
radiation), chemical reactions, atoms, energy, and physical motion into one.

The things we’re going to study in this unit borders on sci-fi weird, but I
assure you it’s all the same stuff real scientists are studying. This unit is
broken into two sections: easy-and-fun, and mind-bending-hard. If you feel
like you’re getting a little lost, simply jump over to the experiments and just
have fun.

The first Lesson, Particle Physics, is mind-bending-hard, because
we’re going to deepen our understanding of the atom itself as we dig into
the heart of matter. This will challenge your sense of reality and the only
way you can make any sense of it is to leave your intuition behind. I’ve put
it first not to drive you crazy, but to give you a background on what the
second lesson (Astronomy) is all about. Like I said, if you feel that it gives
you brain cramps, just skip it for now and jump right over to the fun stuff in
Astronomy.

Note that the first lesson in Particle Physics is not essential to
understanding the second lesson in Astronomy.

The second lesson, Astronomy, focuses on all the fun stuff about the
universe and space exploration. We’re going to look at the structures of
stars, black holes, and even learn how gravity affects the orbits of planets by
creating our own solar system and watching it go.

The third lesson, Relativity, is intended for advanced students who are
thirsty for more and really want to get an overview of college-level physics
and a start on how to think about relativity and Einstein’s big ideas. The

experiments and activities for this section are purely mental exercises and
can be found in the last section: Exercises for Lesson 3. This lesson is not
required for any other unit, but rather included as an appetizer for what
awaits you in a career in science.

© 2010 Supercharged Science www.ScienceLearningSpace.com

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