Earth Science: Habitable Characteristics and Planet Comparison

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the leading theories for the formation of the universe?

  • Big Bang theory (correct)
  • Nebular hypothesis
  • Steady state theory
  • Oscillating universe theory

Which layer of Earth is located directly beneath the crust?

  • Outer core
  • Inner core
  • Lithosphere
  • Mantle (correct)

Which of the following characteristics contributes to Earth's habitability?

  • Presence of liquid water (correct)
  • Extreme temperature variations
  • High levels of radiation
  • Absence of an atmosphere

What is one major reason why Earth's structure is layered?

<p>Variations in elemental composition (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which process describes how Earth formed from smaller particles?

<p>Planet accretion (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the rotational speed of an object as its radius decreases?

<p>It rotates faster. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which elements are primarily involved in the formation of Earth?

<p>FeO, MgO, and SiO2 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the giant impact with Theia?

<p>Creation of the Moon and a tilted axis. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the elemental composition of Earth compare to that of the rest of the universe?

<p>It is highly similar. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which processes contributed to the heterogeneous nature of Earth?

<p>Energy of accretion, gravitational compression, and radioactive decay. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three main layers of Earth?

<p>Crust, Mantle, Inner Core (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Earth's elemental composition indicate about its formation?

<p>It evolved from homogenous materials leading to current diversity. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of gravitational compression in Earth's formation?

<p>It contributes to the heating and differentiation of materials. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that allows planets to sustain life within the Goldilocks zone?

<p>Presence of water (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How long ago did most scientists theorize the universe began with the Big Bang?

<p>13.8 billion years ago (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What process initiated the formation of the Solar System according to the Nebular Theory?

<p>Collapse of a giant interstellar gas cloud (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which planet has an equatorial diameter closest to Earth's diameter?

<p>Venus (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the density of Jupiter compared to Earth?

<p>Lower than Earth (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What piece of evidence supports the Big Bang theory?

<p>Cosmic background radiation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which planet is located farthest from the Sun?

<p>Pluto (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is NOT necessary for a planet to be considered in the Goldilocks zone?

<p>Existence of a magnetic field (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to gravitational potential energy during the formation of the Solar System?

<p>It transforms into heat (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which planet has the highest density relative to Earth in the provided data?

<p>Earth (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Characteristics of Habitable Earth

Earth has water, suitable temperatures, atmosphere, and diverse ecosystems enabling life.

Big Bang Theory

Leading theory explaining the origin of the universe from a single explosion approximately 13.8 billion years ago.

Nebular Hypothesis

Theory stating that the solar system formed from a giant cloud of gas and dust, leading to the Sun and planets.

Earth's Layered Structure

Earth is divided into crust, mantle, and core, due to varying density and composition of materials.

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Formation of Oceans and Atmosphere

Oceans formed from cooling lava and water vapor; atmosphere developed over time through volcanic outgassing and biological processes.

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Planetary Accretion

The process by which Earth and other planets form through the accumulation of mass.

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Giant Impact Theory

A theory suggesting that the Moon was formed from debris after a collision with the Earth and Theia.

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Elemental Abundances

The relative amounts of elements found in different celestial bodies including Earth.

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Homogeneous Earth

An early stage of Earth where elements were uniformly distributed.

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Heterogeneous Earth

A later stage of Earth characterized by uneven distribution of elements and materials.

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Earth’s Layers

The three main layers of the Earth are the crust, mantle, and core.

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Energy of Accretion

Energy released during the planet formation process, contributing to its heat.

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Gravitational Compression

The process where gravity compresses materials, increasing temperature and pressure.

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Goldilocks Zone

The habitable zone around a star where conditions allow for liquid water.

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Evidence of Big Bang

Includes elemental abundances, cosmic background radiation, and the expanding universe.

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Formation of the Solar System

The solar system formed approximately 4.56 billion years ago from a collapsing gas cloud.

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Nebular Theory

A theory explaining the solar system's formation from a gravitationally collapsing gas cloud.

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Distance from Sun: Mercury

Mercury is 58 million km from the Sun, with a density of 5.4 g/cm³.

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Distance from Sun: Venus

Venus is 108 million km from the Sun and has a density of 5.2 g/cm³.

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Distance from Sun: Earth

Earth is 150 million km from the Sun, with a density of 5.5 g/cm³.

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Distance from Sun: Mars

Mars is 228 million km from the Sun with a density of 3.9 g/cm³.

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Density of Jupiter

Jupiter's density is 1.3 g/cm³, despite being the largest planet.

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Study Notes

Objectives

  • List the characteristics of Earth that make it habitable
  • Explain theories of universe formation (Big Bang)
  • Explain theories of solar system and Earth formation (nebular hypothesis, planet accretion)
  • Contrast the elemental composition of Earth, the Sun, and the universe
  • Explain why Earth's structure is layered
  • Identify the crust, mantle, and core
  • Discuss the formation of the oceans and atmosphere

Why Does Life Exist on Earth?

  • Factors for life on Earth: Water, air/atmosphere/oxygen, sunlight, right temperature, nutrients, producers, gravity, magnetic field
  • Question: Do other planets have these resources?

Why Does Life Exist on Earth? (Continued)

  • Goldilocks Theory: Planets need to be the right distance from the star for suitable temperature for liquid water.

Comparison of Planets

  • Table includes planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto)
  • Features compared: Distance from the Sun (in millions of kilometers), Equatorial Diameter (relative to Earth), Density (in g/cm³)

The Big Bang

  • Most scientists theorize the universe began with the Big Bang around 13.8 billion years ago.
  • Estimates range from 10-27 billion years ago.

Evidence for Big Bang

  • Abundances of primordial elements
  • Expanding universe
  • Cosmic background radiation

Formation of the Solar System

  • The solar system, including Earth, formed approximately 4.56 billion years ago.
  • This means the solar system formed at least 9 billion years after the Big Bang.

Nebular Theory

  • The solar system formed from the gravitational collapse of a giant interstellar gas cloud.
  • A spherical nebula starts collapsing, converting gravitational potential energy to heat.
  • As the radius decreases, it rotates faster.

Planetary Accretion

  • This process describes how the early Earth formed through the collection of smaller materials.
  • Masses accreted to the early Earth mostly consisted of unsorted lumps of FeO, MgO, and SiO2

Giant Impact

  • A giant impact with Theia produced the Moon and tilted Earth's axis.

What is the Composition of Earth?

  • Earth's composition is similar to the rest of the universe, except for some elements like iron and magnesium which are concentrated on Earth.
  • The question of whether Earth is homogeneous.

Conclusions

  • If Earth formed from the same material as the rest of the universe, it must have evolved significantly.
  • Some process on Earth concentrated or redistributed the elements.
  • The question: How did the unsorted, homogenous Earth become heterogeneous?

How Did Earth Become Heterogeneous?

  • Heat
    • Energy of accretion
    • Gravitational compression
    • Radioactive decay

Earth's Layers

  • Three main layers: Crust, Mantle, Core.
  • Ordered by density
  • Crust (0-100 km thick), Mantle (2,900 km), Outer Core (Liquid), Inner Core (Solid)

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