GEOL 1110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Inner Core, Magnesite, San Andreas Fault
Geology 1110 Midterm Study Guide
1. Differentiate between the geocentric model and heliocentric models for the
organization of the universe and the approximate era the different models existed
within
geocentric model – Earth is the centre – 168 AD
Haliocentric model - sun is the centre – 1543 – Galileo times
2. Define the Universe
all of space and energy and the matter within it composed of 100 billion galaxies
3. Define a star
A fixed luminous point in the night sky that is a large, remote incandescent body like the sun,
often ordered in celestial bodies
4. What is a galaxy?
A system of millions or billions of stars, together with gas and dust, held together by
gravitational attraction
What galaxy is Earth found within
The Milky Way Galaxy
5. Explain the Big Bang Theory
a. 13.8 billion years ago, a small, dense and hot point in the Universe, composed of all
matter, brought subatomic particles into existence within seconds.
Within 20 minutes, hydrogen atoms formed, then helium formed, and a 3:1 ratio was formed
(hydrogen:helium)
What is the ratio of hydrogen to helium in the Universe; and why is this
important to the creation of life within the Universe?
3:1 – patchy clouds consisting mainly of helium and hydrogen form the nebulae
6. What is nuclear fusion?
A nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei of low atomic number fuse to form a heavier
nucleus with the release of energy
A radioactive element's nuclei spontaneously emits subatomic particles – breaking the nuclei
into two smaller nuclei – this process breaks nuclear bonds and releases energy
7. Describe the expansion of the Universe, is it continuing today or has it stopped?
It is continuing
8. Explain when and how the formation of our solar system occurred
4.57 billion years ago
- created through the nebular process with planets derived in the proplanetary disk
- contained all 92 elements
- materials formed from these atoms and molecules rotate and collide in space
9. What is a protoplanetary disk and how does it differ from a protoplanet and a
planetisimal?
Protoplanetary disk: a rotating cloud of gas and dust surrounding a young star
Protoplanet: a large body of matter in orbit around the sun or a star and thought to be
developing into a planet.
Planetismal: a minute planet; a body that could or did come together with many others under
gravitation to form a planet.
10. List three examples of volatile materials and three refractory materials
Volatile: Hydrogen, Helium, Methane, ammonia, water and carbon dioxide
- remain in gaseous state close to sun
Refractory: Iron, Aluminum, Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium, Silicon
- coalesce into larger particles (block sized) eventually colliding and forming planetismals
11. What percentage of our solar system’s mass is the sun?
99.8%
12. What is meant by a protoplanet clearing the neighbourhood?
13. What is the plane of the ecliptic?
a. the plane in which the Earth orbits. Most of the planets orbit the Sun very nearly in the
same plane
Draw an example using the Earth and Sun
14. List the terrestrial and gas planets.
Terrestrial: Mercury Venus Earth Mars
Gas: Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune
What is the difference between the two types of planets?
Terrestrial: made up of rock and metals. Heavy, move slowly, smaller planets
Gas: made of gases therefore not solid. Much bigger in size
15.Radioactive decay within Earth’s interior is driven by the process of nuclear
_________.
16. Describe the concept of planet differentiation
Planets grow in size and have a relatively homogenous composition (gas and molten
material)
Planets of size begin to heat up
3 sources of heat:
material collisions, matter squeezed, decay of radioactive elements
Radioactive decay caused melting in some planets (Earth)
((planets are primarily molten material at this point))
heavier materials began to separate and sink toward the interior of the planet, lighter
materials remained near the surface
17. Earth’s magnetism is __dipole____ and it is the origin for the
____magneto___________sphere
18. Explain the role of the magnetosphere?
It is a part of a dynamic, interconnected system that responds to solar, planetary, and
interstellar conditions
Explain what the Aurora Borealis are and what causes this phenomenom
“the northern lights”
caused by collisions between electrically charged particles released from the Sun that enter
the Earth's atmosphere and collide with gases such as oxygen and nitrogen
seen around magnetic poles in the Northern and Southern hemisphere
Additional Questions:
What 4 elements is the Earth mostly made up of?
Document Summary
Differentiate between the geocentric model and heliocentric models for the. 1. organization of the universe and the approximate era the different models existed within geocentric model earth is the centre 168 ad. Haliocentric model - sun is the centre 1543 galileo times. Define a star all of space and energy and the matter within it composed of 100 billion galaxies. A fixed luminous point in the night sky that is a large, remote incandescent body like the sun, often ordered in celestial bodies. A system of millions or billions of stars, together with gas and dust, held together by gravitational attraction. Explain the big bang theory: 13. 8 billion years ago, a small, dense and hot point in the universe, composed of all matter, brought subatomic particles into existence within seconds. Within 20 minutes, hydrogen atoms formed, then helium formed, and a 3:1 ratio was formed (hydrogen:helium) 3:1 patchy clouds consisting mainly of helium and hydrogen form the nebulae.
