Big Bang: all matter concentrated in one point called ⃗singularity⃗ then exploded and
expanded
Solar Nebula Theory: describes formation of solar system
+ Began with rotating dust cloud of gas/dust (nebula) 4.6 billions years ago made
of 71% hydrogen, 27% helium and 20% others
+ Several light years across and 2x mass of the Sun
+ Collapse caused by the gravitational attraction of the cloud
+ Matter pulled in = spinning disk faster
+ Outer gas/dust spins so fast they’re not included and makes Sun and planets
Condensation: gas/dust particles condense and form
+ Inner planets rocky w/ iron due to very little gas left from planet heat
+ Gases like H2O, methane and ammonia cause outer nebula to be cold
Earth’s Beginning: 4.5 billions years ago as molten rock
+ Lord Kelvin = first to speculate Earth started as molten rock
- Didn’t know of radioactive decay elements like potassium, uranium,
thorium, or meteor impacts that provide heat from collision
★ parent material: unstable element ★ daughter material: stable element
- greater energy stored - can create proton, neutron and energy
Siderophile elements: “metal loving”, formed the core/prefer metal core
Lithophile elements: “rock loving”, formed mantle/crust, form rock
Chemical layers
+ Crust: silicon, oxygen, aluminum, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium
- Oceanic crust: made of basalt, denser and dark, 3-7 km deep
- Continental crust: made of granite, less dense, 35-70 km deep
+ Mantle: 2900 km deep
- Composed mainly of iron, silicone, magnesium and aluminum
- Most common rock is peridotite
+ Outer core: 2300 km thick, just below mantle
- Believed to control Earth’s magnetic field
- Liquid and composed of Iron and Nickel
+ Inner core: center of Earth, 1200 km thick, made of almost all iron
expanded
Solar Nebula Theory: describes formation of solar system
+ Began with rotating dust cloud of gas/dust (nebula) 4.6 billions years ago made
of 71% hydrogen, 27% helium and 20% others
+ Several light years across and 2x mass of the Sun
+ Collapse caused by the gravitational attraction of the cloud
+ Matter pulled in = spinning disk faster
+ Outer gas/dust spins so fast they’re not included and makes Sun and planets
Condensation: gas/dust particles condense and form
+ Inner planets rocky w/ iron due to very little gas left from planet heat
+ Gases like H2O, methane and ammonia cause outer nebula to be cold
Earth’s Beginning: 4.5 billions years ago as molten rock
+ Lord Kelvin = first to speculate Earth started as molten rock
- Didn’t know of radioactive decay elements like potassium, uranium,
thorium, or meteor impacts that provide heat from collision
★ parent material: unstable element ★ daughter material: stable element
- greater energy stored - can create proton, neutron and energy
Siderophile elements: “metal loving”, formed the core/prefer metal core
Lithophile elements: “rock loving”, formed mantle/crust, form rock
Chemical layers
+ Crust: silicon, oxygen, aluminum, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium
- Oceanic crust: made of basalt, denser and dark, 3-7 km deep
- Continental crust: made of granite, less dense, 35-70 km deep
+ Mantle: 2900 km deep
- Composed mainly of iron, silicone, magnesium and aluminum
- Most common rock is peridotite
+ Outer core: 2300 km thick, just below mantle
- Believed to control Earth’s magnetic field
- Liquid and composed of Iron and Nickel
+ Inner core: center of Earth, 1200 km thick, made of almost all iron
