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Questions and Answers
What theory describes the beginning of the Universe?
What theory describes the beginning of the Universe?
The existence of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) supports the Big Bang Theory.
The existence of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) supports the Big Bang Theory.
True
Who first proposed the Big Bang Theory?
Who first proposed the Big Bang Theory?
Georges Lemaître
The Universe began approximately _____ billion years ago.
The Universe began approximately _____ billion years ago.
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Which of the following is NOT considered evidence for the Big Bang Theory?
Which of the following is NOT considered evidence for the Big Bang Theory?
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Match the following terms with their corresponding definitions:
Match the following terms with their corresponding definitions:
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Matter, energy, space, and time were created during the _____ of the Universe.
Matter, energy, space, and time were created during the _____ of the Universe.
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What are the primary elements that supported the Big Bang Theory?
What are the primary elements that supported the Big Bang Theory?
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What is believed to be residual radiation from the Big Bang?
What is believed to be residual radiation from the Big Bang?
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Hubble discovered that the Universe was shrinking in the 1920s.
Hubble discovered that the Universe was shrinking in the 1920s.
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What two elements are primarily formed following the Big Bang?
What two elements are primarily formed following the Big Bang?
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The event of the Universe becoming __________ is marked by the absorption of free electrons into neutral atoms.
The event of the Universe becoming __________ is marked by the absorption of free electrons into neutral atoms.
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Match the following scientists to their contributions regarding the Universe:
Match the following scientists to their contributions regarding the Universe:
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In which decade did Hubble make his significant discoveries about the Universe?
In which decade did Hubble make his significant discoveries about the Universe?
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The formation of the Solar System is explained by the Nebular Hypothesis.
The formation of the Solar System is explained by the Nebular Hypothesis.
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What scientific concept explains the proportional relationship between a galaxy's redshift and its distance from us?
What scientific concept explains the proportional relationship between a galaxy's redshift and its distance from us?
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Which planet has the largest percentage of the mass in the solar system?
Which planet has the largest percentage of the mass in the solar system?
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The inner terrestrial planets are mostly composed of gas.
The inner terrestrial planets are mostly composed of gas.
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What is the main composition of the Sun?
What is the main composition of the Sun?
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The event in Earth's history where heavier elements sank to the core is known as the ______.
The event in Earth's history where heavier elements sank to the core is known as the ______.
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Match the following celestial bodies with their corresponding mass percentages in the solar system:
Match the following celestial bodies with their corresponding mass percentages in the solar system:
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Which of the following describes the outer Jovian planets?
Which of the following describes the outer Jovian planets?
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Pluto has cleared its orbit of debris.
Pluto has cleared its orbit of debris.
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What process led to the formation of the Proto-Earth?
What process led to the formation of the Proto-Earth?
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Which of the following layers of the Earth is primarily composed of a solid iron-nickel alloy?
Which of the following layers of the Earth is primarily composed of a solid iron-nickel alloy?
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The Earth's crust is thicker under oceans than it is under continents.
The Earth's crust is thicker under oceans than it is under continents.
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What causes the movement of the Earth's plates?
What causes the movement of the Earth's plates?
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The Earth's _____ is responsible for generating the Earth's magnetic field.
The Earth's _____ is responsible for generating the Earth's magnetic field.
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Match the following layers of the Earth with their descriptions:
Match the following layers of the Earth with their descriptions:
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Which of the following elements is NOT significantly found in the Earth's mantle?
Which of the following elements is NOT significantly found in the Earth's mantle?
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Mantle xenoliths are rocks brought to the surface by volcanic activity.
Mantle xenoliths are rocks brought to the surface by volcanic activity.
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What event is associated with the formation of the Moon?
What event is associated with the formation of the Moon?
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What shape is the Earth mostly described as due to its equatorial and polar circumferences?
What shape is the Earth mostly described as due to its equatorial and polar circumferences?
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Theia is the name of the Mars-sized planetesimal that collided with the Earth to form the Moon.
Theia is the name of the Mars-sized planetesimal that collided with the Earth to form the Moon.
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What is one source of heat that caused the proto-earth to melt?
What is one source of heat that caused the proto-earth to melt?
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The accumulation of gases in the atmosphere began around _______ billion years ago (Bya).
The accumulation of gases in the atmosphere began around _______ billion years ago (Bya).
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Which of the following is not a stage in the origin of the Earth's atmosphere?
Which of the following is not a stage in the origin of the Earth's atmosphere?
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The build-up of oxygen in the atmosphere is attributed to cyanobacteria and subsequently plants.
The build-up of oxygen in the atmosphere is attributed to cyanobacteria and subsequently plants.
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What process caused the loss of the primordial atmosphere approximately 4.5 billion years ago?
What process caused the loss of the primordial atmosphere approximately 4.5 billion years ago?
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Match the stages in the formation of the Earth's atmosphere with their corresponding events:
Match the stages in the formation of the Earth's atmosphere with their corresponding events:
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Study Notes
The Universe and the Earth
- The course is CIEN 203, PUP College of Engineering, 1st Semester 2024
- Learning objectives include identifying events and processes leading to Earth's formation, explaining Earth's layers, describing large-scale surface features, and discussing isostasy theories.
- Topic outline includes the Big Bang Theory, Nebular Hypothesis, formation of the Moon, Iron Catastrophe, and formation of the atmosphere (Part I), and layers of the Earth, size of the Earth, large-scale features, and theories of isostasy (Part II).
Formation of the Universe
- The Big Bang Theory is the prevailing theory for the Universe's beginning, first proposed by Georges Lemaître in the 1920s.
- At the beginning, there was a singularity (infinitely small region with virtually zero volume) containing everything in the Universe.
The Formation of the Universe: Evidence
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Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR): believed to be residual radiation from the Big Bang; one second after the Big Bang, subatomic particles scattered everywhere making the Universe opaque until free electrons caused photons to scatter
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Abundance of Hydrogen and Helium: if the Big Bang began with undifferentiated mass, Hydrogen and Helium would be the first elements formed as they are the simplest; Hydrogen and Helium are the primary elements that comprise stars and nebulae
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Hubble's Redshift: Hubble's discoveries in the 1920s changed the perspective on the Universe by showing that it was larger than previously thought and that it was expanding. The degree of galaxy redshift is proportional to its distance from Earth. Because space is expanding, the universe must have been smaller in the past.
Formation of the Moon
- The Giant Impact Hypothesis proposes that a Mars-sized planetesimal called Theia collided with Earth, resulting in debris coalescing to form the Moon. This is thought to have happened after the Iron Catastrophe.
Origin of the Atmosphere
- Stages in the formation of Earth's atmosphere:
- Initial loss of primordial atmosphere due to solar wind
- Continued degassing and venting of gases as Earth differentiated
- Gradual accumulation of gases causing the atmosphere to thicken
- Build-up of oxygen from cyanobacteria and subsequently plants
The Solar System
- The Nebular Hypothesis: proposes that the Solar System formed from a single rotating cloud of gas and dust (solar nebula). It was first proposed by Immanuel Kant and Pierre Simon de Laplace in the 18th century.
- The solar system formed by:
- Condensation and cooling occurring from a hot rotating disk from a single rotating cloud of gas and dust
- Formation of the sun and other planets (rocky and metallic particles coalesced )
- Composition of Solar System mass: The sun composes almost all the mass. Other planets (including Jupiter), comets, satellites and rings, asteroids, and meteoroids and dust account for the remaining mass
The Sun
- The Sun is a middle-aged star composed primarily of hydrogen.
Layers of the Earth
- Two types of layers: compositional (chemical) and mechanical (physical)
- Compositional layers are differentiated by the dominant lithology or chemical composition (e.g., Fe-Ni core vs. silica-rich crust).
- Mechanical layers are differentiated by rigidity or strength (e.g., brittle lithosphere vs. ductile asthenosphere)
Theories of Isostasy
- Isostasy is the state of equilibrium between parts of Earth's lithosphere. Different theories explain equilibrium based on mass and density differences in the lithosphere
The Iron Catastrophe
- Heavier materials sank to the core (iron) and lighter materials rose to the surface during Earth's formation, producing Earth's layers
- The heat from collisions and radioactive decay caused materials to melt, in addition to contraction during accretion
The Pluto Controversy
- Pluto is a dwarf planet, not a regular planet due to its failure to clear its orbit of debris
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Description
Test your understanding of the CIEN 203 course at PUP College of Engineering, focusing on the formation of the universe and the Earth. This quiz covers essential theories like the Big Bang, the Nebular Hypothesis, and Earth's layered structure. Dive into processes that led to the formation of our planet and the features that define it.