Earth Science Week 1: Universe Origin Theories

Cosmic Inflation: Rapid expansion model proposed by Alan Guth.
Steady State Theory: Continuous creation, with no distinct beginning or end in time, advocated by Fred Hoyle, maintaining constant density.
Big Bang Theory: Suggests universe originated from an explosive force, leading to a decrease in density over time, proposed by Georges Lemaître.

Accretion: Solar system formed from a nebula that gradually increased in size.
Protoplanet Hypothesis: Smaller masses coalesced to form larger bodies.
Capture Theory: Jean's Theory posits the Moon's acquisition through a passing body or a direct impact.
Modern Nebular Theory: Proposes formation in a dense disk of gas and dust.

Exosphere: Outermost layer of the atmosphere.
Thermosphere: Hottest layer, contains ions, responsible for the auroras.
Mesosphere: Coldest layer, where meteors disintegrate.
Stratosphere: Houses the ozone layer.
Troposphere: Densest layer, contains weather phenomena.
- Tropopause: Boundary between troposphere and stratosphere.
- Stratopause: Boundary between stratosphere and mesosphere.
- Mesopause: Boundary between mesosphere and thermosphere.
- Thermopause: Boundary of the thermosphere.

Lithosphere: Comprises the crust and the uppermost solid mantle.
Asthenosphere: Characterized by its ductile properties.
Mantle: Layer beneath the crust.
Outer Core: Fluid layer surrounding the inner core.
Inner Core: Solid center of the Earth.
- Moho: Boundary between the crust and the upper mantle.
- LAB Discontinuity: Boundary between the lithosphere and asthenosphere.
- Gutenberg Discontinuity: Boundary between mantle and outer core.
- Lehmann Discontinuity: Boundary between inner and outer core.

Tundra: Coldest biome with permafrost.
Taiga: Boreal forest characterized by cold climate and coniferous vegetation.
Temperate Forest: Moderate climate, dominated by deciduous trees.
Tropical Rainforest: Hot and humid, rich biodiversity.
Grassland:
- Prairie: Dominated by grasses with few trees.
- Savannah: Grasses with scattered trees and a warm climate.
Chaparral: Features drought-resistant shrubs and small trees.
Desert: Extremely arid and dry conditions.

Evaporation: Water evaporates, leaving solids behind.
Cooling:
- Extrusive: Fast cooling of lava, resulting in small crystals.
- Intrusive: Slow cooling of magma, producing large crystals.

Color: Least reliable for identification.
Streak: Powder residue left on surfaces during the streak test.
Luster: Light reflection quality, classified into metallic and non-metallic.
Hardness: Resistance to scratching, measured by Mohs scale.
Fracture vs. Cleavage: Fracture breaks unevenly; cleavage breaks along the weakest plane.
Crystal Form: External shape of the mineral.
Specific Gravity: Ratio of mineral density to water density.
Acid Test: Reaction of mineral with acid.
Magnetism: Ability to attract metals.
Taste and Smell: Certain minerals have distinctive tastes or smells.
Elasticity: Ability to stretch and return to original shape.
Malleability: Ability to be shaped under force.
Double Refraction: Phenomenon wherein light splits into two rays.

Mineral Occurrence: Locations suspected to have valuable minerals in sufficient quantity and size.
Mineral Deposit: Concentration or amount of minerals in an occurrence.
Ore Deposit: Economically valuable concentration of minerals.
- Magmatic: Formed from solidified molten rocks.
- Hydrothermal: Created from heated waters below oceans.
- Sedimentary: Occurs in sedimentary rocks.
- Placer: Found at the surface with higher specific gravity.
- Residual: Formed from soil due to laterization processes.
  - Leaching: Removal of mineral cover through water percolation.
  - Relief: Elevation changes in the landscape.
  - Laterization: Weathering process leading to the replacement of alkaline and silica content.