lecture 1 Flashcards
what is geology
the study of earth, planets, moons and beyond
what are the two types of geology
physical and historical
what is physical geology
the study of earths materials and processes
what is historical geology
the study of earths origins and evolution, its continents, oceans, atmosphere, and life
what do geologists do
they study earths processes, materials, and history
what is a theory
a testable explanation for a natural phenomenon supported by evidence
what are the 3 rules for forming theories
- observations/hypothesis must be testable
- must be able to reproduce results
- observations/results must be falsifiable
what do we know about the universe
it is all matter and energy
it has no center or edges
it is cooling
it is permeated by background radiation
it is expanding
how did the solar system form
the solar nebula theory
what is the solar nebula theory
a spinning cloud of dust contracted and flattened forming into a disk of gas and dust, with the sun in the middle, eddies would gather up materials which eventually formed planets
what are terrestrial planets
solid surfaces
slower rotation
less dense cores
formed at hotter temp
what are jovian planets
non-solid planets
faster rotation
dense hydrogen + metal cores
formed at lower heat
how did earth form
the homogeneous accretion theory
what is the homogenous accretion theory
as earth and nickel and iron heated up they melted and moved into the center while the lighter silicates moved to the top forming the mantle and crust
